Form Jules Taylor...

Chardonnay is one of the unsung heroes of Marlborough but also a wine that can divide the room! Jules’ take on this variety is a far cry from the big buttery Chardonnay-bombs from the 1990s. Instead Jules prefers a wine with delicate freshness and attractive fruit flavours that express the vineyards in which they were grown. With only 10% new oak and a partial malolactic ferment, this elegant wine that will convert even the most die-hard chardonnay-basher!

From Jules Taylor...

The signature dish. When Jules talks about Sauvignon Blanc, clouds part and celestial choirs sing. This is the wine Jules loves because it is so expressive of the site where it’s grown. It’s a grape that, within a row - and even within a bunch - has a mind-blowing range of full-throttle flavour, just the way Jules likes it.

Bold, bright, fruit salad in a glass; that's what sparkling Sauvignon Blanc is all about and it's a lively, lovely fresh new spring white. The bubbles in this wine come from tank fermentation to preserve the naturally fresh fruit flavours of this vibrant wine. 

A gorgeous wine, made with 40% Syrah, 35% Carignan, 15% Grenache Noir & 10% Marselan (a cross between Grenache & Cabernet Sauvignon) showing just what old vines can do when they find themselves in the right soils (in this case limestone terrace overlaid with gravel).

The Carignan grapes undergo semi-carbonic maceration whilst the Syrah and Mourvèdre grapes are destemmed and fermented at a temperature of 28 ° C for 14 days. Malolactic fermentation and ageing takes place in stainless steel to retain freshness of flavour.

The result is rich, juicy and fruit forward with aromas of white pepper, cassis, violets, and sage. Lush and decadent, with a lingering chocolate-raspberry finish.

Small but beautifully formed Pinot Noir from Central Otago with delicate red fruit flavours supported by structured notes of spice and firm cedary aromas on the long finish.

Silver Wing Ceramic Sauvignon ticks lots of boxes from the funky, earthy aroma notes to the fresh bright acidity that gives Sauvignon Blanc its refreshing edgy flavours. And it also ticks the vegan box. 

Winemaker Andrew Fox focusses on low intervention winemaking methods, including no filtration which may result in lees sediment in the wines, which is harmless and looks like small crystals. 

Silver Wing wines are made by Andrew Fox in the Waipara Valley, North Canterbury.  

Here is a Pinot Noir that shows how good Marlborough Pinot can be. Smooth with a hint of spice here and a touch of dark red cherry flavour there, this is complex and delicious. It drinks well now and can also age for a further three to four years.

Clos Henri began 22 years ago in Marlborough when the French Bourgeois family expanded their winemaking from the heart of Sancerre in the tiny village of Chavignol to Blenheim, in 2001. Now that their vines are 22 years of age , the family feels that they are only now starting to reflect and express the taste of the land. This family retains their land and winemaking in Chavignol where they have made wine for 11 generations.

Great Garnacha from the town of Cadalso de los Vidrios in the Sierra de Gredos, which is hot property for new wave Garnachas right now. 

This medium bodied wine has big bold fruit flavours balanced by high acidity developed in the high-altitude vineyards and firm tannins that contribute to its long finish. 

The wine is a light, delicate and perfumed expression of Garnacha with firm tannins surrounding a core of lively fruit and a long finish; great value for money. 

Marlborough is white wine country and while it's mostly all about Sauvignon and Chardonnay, this spectacular new dry-ish Riesling is full of deliciously zingy flavours of lemon zest, fresh apples and ripe peach, coupled with an intensely lingering, flavoursome finish.

This wine is intensely aromatic on the palate and has lingering flavours with a crisp dry finish.

The north facing Ashmore Vineyard receives all day sun and that, coupled with cool Marlborough nights, makes for ideal cool climate growing conditions for the Riesling grapes that are grown on the free draining, deep alluvial silt, overlying clay sub soils. Ashmore Vineyard was planted in 1997 with conversion to organics beginning in 2009 and full certification from Bio-Gro in 2012.

This special library release is a one off which we have been lucky enough to secure a small amount of while featuring Palliser Estate as our winery of the month. This is the greatest dry aromatic white of the Palliser stable. It's fleshy, flavoursome and beautifully peachy buoyed up by the balance of great lime zest and a lingering citrusy finish. 

Dry Riesling is Palliser Estate's unsung hero white wine and this seven year old dry version is a stellar example. 

It's ripe and fleshy with beautiful balance provided by the citrusy acidity which adds length to this lovely wine. 

The grapes are grown on the organically certified Om Santi Vineyard and the Palliser Estate Vineyard.

The name Mon Cheval is in homage to the owner's champion racehorse, Under Cover Lover, whose winning ways helped the dream of making wine possible. The 2.2 hectare vineyard is found at the entrance to Weka Pass in North Canterbury, and is planted with Pinot Noir and only a small amount of Riesling.

Hand picked grapes and cool temperature fermentation in stainless steel both preserve the fruit forward flavours in this wine, making it one of the country's purest, freshest dry whites. Under the radar? Yes. Worth trying? Definitely. If Riesling has yet to make it onto your radar, this wine is the perfect place to start.

Commercial description

Terroir in a glass – very site specific, sophisticated and unique. On the nose, blackberries, spice, violets and wild herb aromatics. Medium bodied with an interesting mix of red fruits and savoury notes. A complex, high energy wine, perfect to enjoy today or to patiently cellar.

Our flagship Pinot Noir, sourced primarily from our southern block. It carries the name of Surveyor – John Turnbull Thomson linking both the land and its fruits to the vineyard owners, PM and David Hall-Jones family heritage.

35% whole bunch and 18% new oak.