A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Made from grapes planted many years ago by Clearview Estate legend Tim Turvey and daughter Katie at Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay. A brilliant pale lemon gold, with voluminous aromas that …
Topsy Turvey Chardonnay 2020 Read More
Made for the first time in 2020 from “an exceptional year, perfect grapes and five barrels” according to David Evans at the winery. A deep, dense inky black claret in …
Passage Rock ‘Generation’ 2020 Read More
From one of the classic sub-regions for great Chardonnay, but a tricky hail and rain-affected vintage in 2008. A mid-golden straw colour in the glass, showing some bottle age. Nicely …
Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2008 Read More
Reviewed for “Pinot Gris Day 2022” Golden yellow straw coloured, with green edges; and a lively nose filled with classic Pinot Gris aromatics – pear, guava, rockmelon, lime leaf, mandarin, …
Rockburn Pinot Gris 2021 Read More
From Waiheke Island, and a vintage described as ‘a very ripe and very Mediterranean style vintage’. Dense and inky ruby purple colour. Brooding and aromatic on the nose, with youthful …
Destiny Bay ‘Destinae’ 2010 Read More
From a precipitous slope of a vineyard in Waipara, North Canterbury, comes this well-regarded Syrah – the 2015 vintage finished an excellent 4th place in the Top 10 tasting of …
Terrace Edge Syrah 2019 Read More
From the Onetangi Valley, Waiheke Island; a Bordeaux-style red blend of great reputation – being made from 1987 – with 2010 being listed as “a superb vintage” by the winery. …
Stonyridge Larose 2010 Read More
I was asked to come along to an informal tasting of twenty Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays last week – hosted by Mat Kirby – winemaker at Clearview Estate and Helio – …
A Tasting of Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020s Read More
From their vineyard in Mangatahi, and the excellent but COVID-defined vintage of 2020. Deep, inky, dark carmine in the glass. Defined by the aromatics, which are punchy with plenty of …
Easthope Family Winegrowers Home Block Syrah 2020 Read More
A pale lemon-green in the glass, with lively aromatics of white peach, greengage, cardamom, roast cashew nut, lemon zest and elderflower florals. Just the hint of flinty reductivity, and a …
Kumeu River Estate Chardonnay 2021 Read More