Rolly Gassmann, Gewurztraminer Brandhurst Selection de Grains Nobles

Friends from Wanaka brave the drive to the wilds of Queensberry (Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand) : I am perfectly happy to concede I may be over-rating this wine, but that is the nature of encountering a perfect food-wine match. Drunk with the French Laundry Roquefort and Pear Trifle, this was simply perfection. At 25 years of age, the wine shows gorgeous bottle age development, but really it is the balance between exquisite varietal expression, superb botrytis …

Central Otago Farewell Dinner for Boris and Sharee (Wanaka Wedge House, Queensberry, Central Otago, New Zealand) : Ageing effortlessly, though most likely at its peak of maturity. Stunning interpretation of Gewürztraminer - the clarity of the bouquet is quite something, and the layers of tertiary complexity, alongside the botrytis really makes this a pleasure to behold. The palate has brilliant focus - while (of course ) very sweet, the spice of the variety and the acid structure adds up to …