White

One from one of the leading estates in the Layon – but older than I’d wanted – Four Walls Wine substituting an older vintage …

A half-bottle of this was fortunate, as I have some unopened bottles in my cellar. Youthful yet drinkable now; a star of the sweet …

This was the wine of the Pinot Gris / Chenin Blanc line-up, and showed well later in the sweet wine line-up. Very intense flavour, …

Such a contrast from the tight, almost unbalanced 2002. By contrast, a perfectly classic Hunter Semillon that’s in maturity now. Green pale colour. Green, …

Classic example of quality Pessac oak-aged Sémillon-Sauvignon Blanc. A delight. Mid-depth gold. Rich, complex vanilla, toast, oak-smoke and waxy greengage fruit Sémillon aromatics. Rounded. …

A superb example of dry Pinot Gris, in the rich, Alsatian style, that covers its 15.5% ABV very well. Fairly deep gold. Exotic aromatics …

Having been disappointed by Le Mont Sec, this really showed what the Huet fuss was about. Pale to mid gold. Vanilla scent, and possibly …

In the Pinot Gris and Chenin Blanc line-up, this was certainly a highlight. In the bone dry style, this has flavour density to mask …

A first chance to taste Kumeu River’s wines, and they’re certainly aiming for quality. Characterised by new oak, ripe, but linear fruit on the …

By contrast, although this was clearly Californian, its Sonoma restraint was evident, compared with the Shafer. Vanilla ice cream – very oaky. Caramel and …