A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
The current vintage of a wine I’ve encountered many times before (and reviewed on the site) From the estate vineyards in Gladstone, Wairarapa. A deep burgundy colour in the glass. …
Johner Gladstone Pinot Noir 2020 Read More
A Chardonnay from the Reed Vineyard in the Waihopai Valley – Marlborough, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Pale straw-green in the glass, with a struck-match reductivity that quickly ebbs …
Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Chardonnay 2021 Read More
A varietal that is probably Austria’s ‘national grape’ (like Sauvignon Blanc is to NZ). With not much of it grown locally, it is tricky one to track down – this …
Mount Edward Grüner Veltliner 2017 Read More
Named after a plague of mice that troubled the vineyards, this McLaren Vale wine is 100% Nero d’Avola – a wine we don’t see much of in New Zealand. A …
D’Arenberg ‘The Danger Mouse’ Nero d’Avola 2021 Read More
A wine from Waiheke Island – a blend of mostly Cabernet Franc, with smaller amounts of Petit Verdot and Malbec. An opaque deep crimson colour in the glass. A bouquet …
Obsidian ‘The Mayor’ Reserve 2019 Read More
A wine from the famous Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke’s Bay – a blend of five red varietals – Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. The label doesn’t …
Matariki Quintology 2011 Read More
From the ‘Growers Collection’ of wines that were made from notable vineyards across New Zealand, that supported the core wines from their own vineyards in Waikari. An opaque dark purple-burgundy …
Pyramid Valley Calvert Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009 Read More
Named for the winemaker’s wife, the label describes this white blend as “an ever-evolving expression of the greatest white fruit our Home Block has to offer in any given vintage”. …
144 Islands Melika’s Field 2021 Read More
The new label from Takahiro Koyama, using fruit from the Pearson Vineyard he’s taken before (for the Koyama wines) from the Waipara Valley. The new label is adorned with an …
Taka K Pearson Estate Pinot Noir 2021 Read More
A Gimblett Gravels wine, from Hawke’s Bay. A dark crimson brooding colour in the glass. Complex and enticing aromatics, filled with tart cherry, tobacco, boysenberry, plum, barnyard funk, and raspberry. …
Ka Tahi ‘The One’ Syrah 2021 Read More