A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A Pinot Noir from Bannockburn, Central Otago – the Bannock Brae vineyard soils are schist gravels and particularly sandy. A deep ruby purple colour in the glass. Elegant and complex …
Bannock Brae ‘Crawford’s Block’ Pinot Noir 2020 Read More
A Sauvignon Blanc from the Awatere Valley in Marlborough – reviewed for International Sauvignon Blanc Day 2026. A very pale lemon yellow colour in the glass. Brisk, bright and intense …
Tupari Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Read More
The fact that the fruit is sourced from three sites in the famed Gimblett Gravels – 70% Gimblett Estate / 19% Tin Shed / 11% Gimblett Stones gives a hint …
Trinity Hill Homage 2018 Read More
A Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay that has a great many awards under its belt from over the years. This vintage won the Trophy at IWSC 2019 – so was effectively …
Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018 Read More
Hawke’s Bay Syrah – the fruit de-stemmed and fermented in tanks to 14% alc. Then aged in mainly new French oak barriques for 17 months. Sealed under cork (cork in …
Brookfields ‘Hillside’ Syrah 2018 Read More
I confess that trying this wine this was a bit of a trip down Memory Lane for me. Back in November 2019, I started up the WineFolio website, and one …
Soljans Kumeu Pinot Gris 2018 Read More
It is my understanding that this was another example of the forward thinking of the legendary icon of the NZ Wine industry Sir George Fistonich. Under the “Library Release” programme …
Villa Maria ‘Library Release’ Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 Read More
A red blend from The Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke’s Bay – the blend varying annually with the vintage. This year is Cabernet Franc 80% and Tempranillo 20% – a …
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels ‘The Gimblett’ 2022 Read More
A Sauvignon Blanc made from grapes grown in two vineyards on the Waimea Plains outside Nelson, where the alluvial soils are well-suited to aromatic whites. A pale steely green colour …
Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Read More
A new release of what is a fairly rare varietal to find in New Zealand. This one grown in the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawke’s Bay. An opaque, inky, deep …
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2024 Read More