Duck Hunter is a relatively anonymous brand of New Zealand-based wines, with four varietals, typical of the region, on offer. These screwcapped wines tend to vary fairly widely in price, so shop around (or wait for a sale) if the tasting notes below interest you.

2018 Duck Hunter Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough – Slightly thin, this sauvignon blanc dials back some of the tropical notes typical of New Zealand sauvignon blanc, allowing a more tart lemon and Meyer lemon note show more clearly. Ever so slightly creamy in texture, there’s a modest floral component on the back end that recalls orange blossoms. B+ / $19

2018 Duck Hunter Pinot Noir Marlborough – Extremely mild, this is actually a nice change of pace from the typical style of New Zealand pinot noir, which tends to be aggressively beefy and earthy in its construction. Here, a very gentle cherry note finds an unusual companion in notes of tea leaf and just a touch of bay leaf, which hints ever so slightly at the wine’s point of origin. A perfect “by the glass” selection for your neighborhood bistro. B+ / $27

2018 Duck Hunter Pinot Noir Marlborough

$27

8.5

Rating

8.5/10