Your eyes are not deceiving you; this is indeed a New Zealand wine made from Arneis, that little-known Italian variety. As much as I love the weird and wonderful, we would not be listing this wine if it were not superb – and it is, superb.

The nose is full of fresh white peach and pink grapefruit, combining with the touch of almond that you would expect from Italian Arneis. The palate is pure, mineral and precise; it feels light and lively, dancing on the palate, but is medium-bodied with delicate yet concentrated fruit and good texture behind. Notes of pear, dried straw and lemon verbena creep through, complemented by more white peach and wet stone minerality on the long length. This is a lovely, lovely wine from Swiss genius in New Zealand, Hans Herzog. 

2012 was a cool vintage for the Marlborough region, this is evident in the crisp, well defined fruit characters on show here. Elegant and pure, with flavours of cherry and raspberry, hints of liquorice and herbs on the finish. Velvety tannins with just a hint of oak intertwined with the fruit. There’s much to admire here, a very fine New World Pinot Noir. 
Martyn Rolph - Private Account Manager