February Premium Six Pack 2023 - Super Summer Whites

Gruner Veltliner is a white grape variety native to Austria, Slovakia, Hungary and Czech Republic. In Australia Gruner is planted exclusively in cooler regions such as the Tumbarumba, The Adelaide Hills and Tasmania.  Gruner is often compared to other varieties such Riesling with slightly more volume, texture and more approachable acidity and more subtle, nuanced aromatics.

The 2022 displays aromas of grapefuit, stone fruits, citrus and subtle spice. That lovely green herb flecks the nose and the palate with that line of grapefruity, citrus complemented by fresh white peach and subtle pear. The palate is vibrant and juicy with lovely salivating acidity with some wonderful phenolic play that grips the mouth on the way through. A really impressive Australian version of this varietal with more hopefully to come. We continue to be impressed with the line-up of Nick Spencer gear we try.

The 2020 Kerner is wickedly fresh with an intense whiff of crushed stone and lemon zest before giving way to a more subtle bouquet of fresh nectarines and spice. It's round in feel, with cooling acidity and depths of sour citrus that create a lovely contrast to the ripe orchard fruits within. This leaves the cheeks puckered with tension while tapering off sapid yet fresh. The 2020 was collected through three different harvests to obtain the most balanced expression possible. It's gorgeous. ERIC GUIDO, Vinous

Located in the village of Bué, south of Sancerre, this domain dates back to the early 17th century. Two of Jean-Max's sons, Etienne and Thibault, returned to the estate after professional careers in France and abroad. Jean-Max's third son, Xavier, also lives his passion for wine in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The Rogers use indigenous yeasts, fine with bentonite, and filter before bottling. The long fermentation period and prolonged ageing on lees cause complexity and structure in the white wines, while preserving fruit and freshness.

A blend of wines hailing from two types of terroirs - marls and stony calcareous "caillottes" -lends this wine all of its complexity. The finesse and fruit from the "caillottes" wines are complemented by the power and length of the marls. Exceptional citrus aromas and flavours along with appealing minerality. Refreshingly invigorating acidity.  

Super-ripe lemon, fresh pineapple and herb aromas pour from the glass of this medium-bodied, concentrated and sophisticated dry riesling. Completely dry, with excellent balance at the long, very clean finish. 100% estate fruit from Ribeauvillé and Bergheim. Drink or hold. 94 points, STUART PIGGOTT, James Suckling

The 2021 Moscatel - Macabeo - Airén was produced with 40% Moscatel, 40% Macabeo and 20% Airén that fermented in stainless steel with indigenous yeasts and was kept with the lees until bottling. This is very floral, herbal and expressive, a blend to show the landscape, because he thinks the Moscatel is not complete enough to be bottled alone. So, this combines notes of jasmine, chamomile, fennel and grass, and all the wines fermented with indigenous yeasts. It's long and clean and has a dry, chalky finish with a saline twist. It has medium ripeness at 13% alcohol and a pH of 3.3. The whites don't go through malolactic to keep the tension and freshness, and the malic acid is not very high. The vines are in the process of being certified organic. 91 pts, LUIS GUITERREZ, Robert Parker  

First point to make here is that this is the freshest and most tense version of this wine to date. White flowers, slightly underripe nectarine, you know that feeling? Crunchy, tangy, leaves your mouth feeling refreshed. Second point to make is there is quite a solid little hit of extract here. I think that's what keeps this wine from being bracing, it's kind of a buffering effect. It races across the palate with intent and gets the old salivary glands working. It is so refreshing but I really wanted some oysters to have with it and we were too "busy" at the time.