New Zealand Wines 2020: Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide

2014 Loveblock Marlborough Bone Dry Riesling

Still on sale, the 2014 vintage (4 STARS) was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley. Showing some toasty, bottle-aged development, it is full-bodied, with tangy acidity, a minerally streak and a strong surge of ripe, peachy, slightly spicy, fully dry (1.4 grams/litre of residual sugar) flavours.

2014 Loveblock Marlborough Noble Chenin Blanc

The delicious 2014 vintage (4 STARS) was estate-grown and hand-picked in the Awatere Valley at 42 brix, with 100 per cent botrytis infection. Light gold, deliciously peachy and honeyed, it has abundant sweetness (230 grams/litre of residual sugar), balanced by firm acidity, and a slightly oily, lasting finish.

2018 Loveblock Marlborough Pinot Gris – Organic

Delicious young, the 2018 vintage (4½ STARS) is an organically certified wine, estate-grown in the Awatere Valley. Attractively scented, it is fresh and full-bodied, with strong, pure pear, peach and spice flavours, gentle acidity, vague sweetness, a slightly oily texture and a well-rounded finish. Fine value.

2018 Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc – Organic

Certified organic, the attractive 2018 vintage (4 STARS) was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley and a third of the blend was hand-picked and fermented in old French oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is a ripely scented, medium to full-bodied wine, with generous, ripely herbaceous flavours, dry (3.5 grams/litre of residual sugar) and crisp. Showing good complexity and harmony, it’s drinking well now.

2014 Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Gris

Maturing gracefully, the 2014 vintage (4 STARS) is an estate-grown, Awatere Valley wine, fermented and matured in old French oak casks. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and dry, with good intensity of ripely herbaceous flavours, slightly toasty notes adding complexity and a finely textured, lingering finish. It’s a distinctive wine, priced right.

2014 Loveblock Marlborough Sweet Moscato

Estate-grown in the Awatere Valley, the 2014 vintage (4 STARS) is a full-bodied (13.5 per cent alcohol), sweet but not super-sweet wine, fortified with grain alcohol, ‘in true Muscat de Beaumes-de-Venise style’. It is invitingly perfumed, with fresh, pure Muscat aromas and strong, vibrant peach, lemon, orange and grape flavours.