Top Picks From our 2023 Tasting Panels

It’s the greatest hits of the greatest sips!

We’ve created a crazy-good compilation of the most triumphant tipples of the last twelve months for you to reacquaint your brains and refresh your tastebuds.

Remember the greatest compilations of all time? Solid Gold Hits. NOW That’s What I Call Music, The Rhythm, Lagered, Just The Hits, Nature’s Best, Lazy Sunday, Dance Now and Major Flavours. Ahh the memories. Well, here are some major flavours of our own! Our tasting panels are now in their 14th year and our judging teams get so excited to see what new champion sips will be uncovered in every issue. So, hoist up your socks, strap on your summer sandals and get set for some serious sipping!

TOP OF THE TASTINGS 

PINOT GRIS 

Mt Difficulty Central Otago Pinot Gris 2022 ($26.99) - Gold Medal

If balance, texture, and delicious dryness in your pinot gris gets you up and dancing, then this new release from the maestros at Mount D will definitely bring a bit of disco to your tastebuds. Simon loved its creamy complexity, while Barry was bowled over by its baked apple and spiced peach punchiness and excellent length and weight. Cleansing and incredibly satisfying it should be in your fridge now! mtdifficulty.nz

Villa Maria Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 ($29.99) - Gold Medal

A splash of wild fermentation in older oak barrels and a six-month stint resting on its lees definitely enriched the complexity and deliciousness of this gris. Barry loved its barley and praline notes, Simon its youthful, luscious freshness and Yvonne was entranced by its enticing apple strudel spices and summer flowers on the nose, followed by its ripe yellow plum plushness on the palate. villamariawines.com

PINOT NOIR 

Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2021 ($62.00) - Gold Medal

With its lush, plush, incredibly inviting aromatics, flavours and textures, our judges unanimously agreed the Palliser team had done an excellent job of capturing the classic florals and cherry intensity that you expect in great Martinborough pinot noir. Awash with spice and lifted hints of black tea and rhubarb, it’s refreshing and lithe with a gentle, slippery finish. palliser.co.nz

Decibel Wines Testify Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019 ($65.00) - Gold Medal

“Dense, dark, funky and earthy with a sweet, silky palate and supple tannins” said Ant. Mike agreed, adding its smoky masculinity and power really packs a punch and makes it instantly impressive, while its “Lovely dark plum, cherry and cassis intensity and velvety textures” had John at the first sip. An excellent example. decibelwines.com

SYRAH

Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 ($24.95) - Gold Medal

With its intense aromatics, generously juicy mid-palate, savoury tones and supple tannins, this stunning syrah sailed straight into the recalls and roared through the final tasting in rockstar fashion. Bold pepper, cherry, and plummy characters merge with hints of lantana and violets to create an incredibly savoury, stylish and elegantly poised syrah that seriously overdelivers in the drink-for-your-dollar stakes. Gorgeous. squawkingmagpie.co.nz

Omata Estate Reserve Bay of Islands Syrah 2019 ($52.00) - Gold Medal

Densely dark and impenetrably inky, this rich, pepper-edged, spice-stacked syrah bursts with lovely boysenberry, cocoa, and graphite-dusted goodness. Ripe, taut, and terrifically structured, it boasts finely tuned tannins and is already developing delicious maturity and complexity. A total beauty from the Bay of Islands. omata.co.nz

ROSÉ

Bladen Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 ($30.00) - Gold Medal

All judges seemed to pause for longer than usual to marvel at the pale, pink diamond colour and noses lingered longer in the glass. Lifted mineral and soft herb characters and delicately spicy energy seems to vibrate from the glass right through to its dry, subtly savoury, citrusy finish. Cheerful, cleansing and incredibly classy, it’s a superstar. bladen.co.nz

M.A.U Wines Pink Ensemble Clevedon Rosé 2022 ($30.00) - Gold Medal

A truly complex, modern, mix-em-up style that had our judges talking immediately. Ultra-pale and showing Provence-style peppercorn, spice and delicate red fruit flavours alongside nutty notes, dried herb and smoked citrus zest followed by a long biscuity finish. Fun and funky. mauwines.co.nz

FOREIGN FIZZ FOR UNDER FIFTY AND NZ SWEET WINES

Casa Boher Extra Brut NV ($36.00) - Gold Medal

An absolutely stunning blend of 70% pinot noir and 30% chardonnay grown in the Uco Valley region of Mendoza in Argentina, it’s gorgeously golden in the glass, rich, creamy and bursting with cashew characters, frangipane florals, impressive fullness and superb length of flavour. It’s a classically stylish winner. spencerblockwines.co.nz

Campo Viejo Cava Brut Catalunya NV ($24.99) - Gold Medal

From Catalunya in Spain comes this excellent apple blossom stacked sparkler heaving with summer florals, savoury herbs and nougat notes. Made from Xarel.lo, Macabeo and Parellada, this nectarine, apple and guava- gilded wine boasts dried herb complexity and has a rich, generously proportioned, incredibly textural mouthfeel. vineonline.co.nz

Framingham Wines F-Series Marlborough Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese 2022 ($114.99) - Gold Medal

Pronounced ‘trocken beer-en ows laysuh’ it’s a mouthful to say and an out-of-body experience to enjoy. Considered a Southern Hemisphere icon, this incredibly glossy, golden wine erupts with apricot, dried mango and toffee apple tones. Intensely sweet and unctuous, the Framingham team have captured powerful stonefruit, lime and honey-drizzled dried fruit and citrus notes alongside silky, unctuous textures. Heavenly. framingham.co.nz

Marisco Vineyards A Sticky End Noble Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ($31.99) - Gold Medal

With aromas of fruit brioche and a palate dripping in dried mango, mandarin, lime, Seville marmalade, candied almonds, baked apple and toffee, it’s juicy, deliciously balanced and energising to sip. marisco.co.nz