A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A dense ruby-purple colour in the glass. Varietally pure aromatics, with black cherry, bramble, raspberry, cinnamon, hazelnut, damson plum and a lift of violet florals on the nose. The core …
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Pinot Noir 2021 Read More
A pale golden-slate in the glass, with a waft of equally golden aromas – pear, ginger, quince, allspice, white peach and honeysuckle on the nose. Succulently ripe and just off-dry …
Trinity Hill Pinot Gris 2022 Read More
‘Expression’ Extra-Brut 2010 A blanc de blancs champagne – so 100% Chardonnay – from Grand Cru vineyards in Le Mesnil-sur-Oger / Oger and Avize. A pale gold in the glass, …
Champagne Jean Louis Vergnon x 2 Read More
A youthful, bright, pale lemon-green in the glass. The bouquet reveals quince, grapefruit, white pepper, cashew nut, white peach, wheat biscuit and geranium. The palate has a core of minerality …
Black Barn 191 Chardonnay 2019 Read More
A blanc-de-blancs single vineyard ‘Grower champagne’ from Merfy – the “Heurtebise” vineyard. Very dry, but also wonderfully complex. The nose shows this in spades – almond, fennel, creme fraiche, white …
Champagne Chartogne-Taillet Heurtebise 2017 Read More
From a single vineyard site in Waiheke’s Onetangi Valley. A pale golden-lemon colour in the glass. Crisp, bountiful aromatics of grapefruit, vanilla, lemon zest, brioche, white pepper, nectarine and chestnut. …
Sam Harrop Cedalion Chardonnay 2019 Read More
A Heathcote wine (supplied by a resident expert) from Victoria, Australia. An italian variety, and rather European in style – in this expression. A dense ruby red in the glass. …
Vinea Marson Sangiovese 2016 Read More
Taking fruit from a premium site at the coast in Hawke’s Bay, to produce their Reserve Chardonnay, I was first introduced to this by the winemaker earlier this year. A …
Takapoto Reserve Chardonnay 2019 Read More
Welcome to the end of the year round up where I look at my ten favourite wines of the year. This is what I judge to be the best of …
WineFolio – best wines of the year, 2022 Read More
This is a most impressive example of ‘orange winemaking’. Generally speaking I am a massive fan of Minimalistic, low-intervention winemaking. Within this genre there is orange winemakers. While many wines in this …
Ochota Barrels ‘Fugazi’ 2020 Read More