A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Sourced from three sites in Hawke’s Bay (in an excellent 2019 vintage) chosen for their specific contributions to the wine – each bottle comes beautifully packaged and labelled “Kate’s Best”. …
Radburnd Cellars Chardonnay 2019 Read More
From a small hillside vineyard on Roy’s Hill, Hawke’s Bay – one of the Syrahs on the ‘Fine Wines of New Zealand’ list for 2020. The nose is perfumed and …
Bilancia ‘La Collina’ Syrah 2018 Read More
It was ‘Sauvignon Blanc Day’ on 7th May and I was determined to be in Marlborough for the day and to explore a few different examples of our best known …
Spy Valley ‘Easy Tiger’ Sauvignon Blanc 2020 Read More
From the Holdaway vineyard in Dillons Point, Marlborough, a Sauvignon Blanc in the fumé style – wild yeast, barrel ferment in seasoned oak – owing much to good white Bordeaux, …
Blank Canvas ‘Abstract’ Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Read More
Sourced from Bridge Pa in Hawke’s Bay, and the excellent 2019 vintage. A crimson ruby colour in the glass; light, but with deep aromas on the nose of plum, rosehip, …
Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 Read More
From a slightly inland Hawke’s Bay vineyard, on a limestone slope – the 2019 is the second vintage of Kumeu River releasing their Rays Road Chardonnay. The nose is bright …
Kumeu River ‘Rays Road’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More
From North Canterbury, a pale straw-yellow in the glass. Jasmine and freesia florals, with almond, lemongrass, mandarin and fig with a varietal note of kerosene on the nose. Off-dry, with …
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2011 Read More
A Marlborough wine, Loveblock – a personal brand, and return, from winemaker Kim Crawford. Palest green-yellow in the glass, with delicious aromas of wild fennel, golden apple, cardamom and pear. …
Love Block Pinot Gris 2020 Read More
A Marlborough wine, from the organic Home Block and Wrekin vineyards, and an excellent vintage. Bright, lemon yellow in the glass, with a powerful nose filled with smoky, quartzy aromas, …
Te Whare Ra Chardonnay 2019 Read More
Tasted again on ‘Sauvignon Blanc Day’ 7th May ’21, this 2014 is the current release, from a special block (Section 94) of the largest organic vineyard in New Zealand. That …
Dog Point ‘Section 94’ Sauvignon Blanc 2014 Read More