Top Picks

New releases worth seeking out, as selected by Joelle Thomson

2019 Akitu A1 Pinot Noir

RRP $65

Kemp Wine Merchants

Central Otago is no stranger to evocative labels and beautiful wines, but Akitu is one of the newest, sporting outstandingly well-executed designs and super-tasty contents. This brand is devoted entirely to Pinot Noir and this is my current favourite of the two red Pinot Noirs, thanks to its intensely seductive broad-shouldered style, soft, smooth red fruit aromas and deliciously long, well-balanced finish with purity of acidity driving tension in every mouthful. The wine is made from five different clones of Pinot Noir and includes a relatively high 40% whole bunch fermentation, which accentuates the structure in this tasty wine, adding weight and aromatic deliciousness – think red fruit and red floral aromas. A superb expression of Otago Pinot Noir. 18.5/20

2021 Jim Barry Assyrtiko is an outstandingly succulent, refreshing dry white made from this traditional Mediterranean grape.

2021 Akitu Pinot Noir Blanc

RRP $45

Kemp Wine Merchants

Here’s a new style of Pinot Noir – a white wine made from Pinot grapes harvested during cool morning temperatures to retain freshness. The grapes were treated to whole bunch pressing and given minimal settling to ensure that colour uptake from the red Pinot Noir skins was minimal. The pale pink hue is the result and the wine is textural, medium-bodied and surprisingly savoury with lively, refreshing red fruit and earthy flavours. Serve lightly chilled – half an hour in the fridge is ideal. It’s made in tiny volumes with just 270 cases produced. 17.5/20

2021 Jim Barry Assyrtiko

RRP $35.99

Negociants

Jim Barry’s Clare Valley Assyrtiko (pronounced ‘As-err-teek-oh’) is made from a small portion of the Florita Vineyard. It’s an elevated site that suits this traditional Mediterranean grape well, allowing it to retain its freshness due to cool, crisp night-time temperatures. The result is an outstandingly succulent, refreshing dry white. This wine will take you by surprise, in the best possible way. It was Australia’s first Assyrtiko, made by Peter Barry, who fell for the grape and the wines made from it after a trip to Greece. 18.5/20

2019 Carrick Organic Pinot Gris Bannockburn

RRP $28

EuroVintage

Winemaker Rosie Menzies uses handpicked grapes from the Cairnmuir Terraces vineyard in Bannockburn to make this offdry Pinot Gris with its beautiful balance of 3.5 grams of residual sugar per litre, which accentuates its lemony flavours and fruit appeal. Full body and textural qualities come from barrel maturation in old oak for 55% of the wine with the balance aged in tank. All up, this certified organic (BioGro NZ) white tastes fresh, with pear and white fruit flavours. 18.5/20

2020 Carrick Organic Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc

RRP $28

EuroVintage

Here is a southern Sauvignon Blanc with the ‘wow’ factor. It’s made from handpicked grapes grown in a windy corner of Bannockburn and its textural qualities and dry flavours come from the wild yeast fermented grapes, as well as seven months maturation in aged oak barrels. This softens the wine, adding smooth, spicy appeal and a stunning balance to the zesty, zingy flavours here. What a fabulous Sauvignon. 18.5/20