A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
I’ve never had a ‘Library Release’ wine from Villa Maria that hasn’t been a huge pleasure to drink, and this is no exception. From the spectacular 2010 vintage for Hawkes …
Villa Maria ‘Library Release’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2010 Read More
Made by Hugh Crichton in the excellent 2021 vintage, before he landed the Elephant Hill job, and from the well-regarded Rivermere Vineyard (re-named from the Lyons Vineyard) beside the Ngaruroro …
Čuvar Guardian Chardonnay 2021 Read More
A wine from the Chalk Hill winery in McLaren Vale, South Australia. A dark, inky purple/black colour. Opulent aromas of bramble, boysenberry, dark chocolate, cinnamon toast, plum and violets come …
Alpha Crucis ‘Titan’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Read More
From the Cadiz region, best known for the excellent sherries of Jerez, and named after a well-known pier that used to stand in Sanlúcar. This dry white wine comes from …
Bodega Luis Perez El Muelle de Olaso Read More
A Marlborough Pinot – from the family of wines that saw the Sauvignon Blanc top the WineFolio Top 10 Tasting of that varietal and make my top ten wines of …
Lake Chalice ‘The Raptor’ Pinot Noir 2022 Read More
I’m a fan of a dry riesling – either in the first year after bottling – or well-cellared with at least a decade resting in bottle. This wine from the …
Jacob’s Creek Steingarten Riesling 2002 Read More
Named as a tribute to new grandson of owner Rosie Dunphy; this limited edition Pinot Noir was a pick from the seven best barrels of the 2019 vintage from their …
Coal Pit ‘The Leo’ Pinot Noir 2019 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay wine – from the Linn family vineyard at Mangatahi. A bright straw-gold in the glass. Rich, ripe notes on the nose, with nectarine, grapefruit, mandarin and greengage …
Wairiki ‘The Matriarch’ Chardonnay 2021 Read More
A single vineyard wine from the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. The Ghost Town vineyard is on Chinaman’s Terrace, where over 2000 Chinese miners lived in the 1860’s. It is …
Mt Difficulty Ghost Town Syrah 2019 Read More
From their Hope Vineyard in the Waimea Plains near Nelson. A relatively rare aromatic white varietal for New Zealand. A vibrant lemon-gold in the glass, with equally bold aromas of …
Greenhough Pinot Blanc 2017 Read More