Reviews

A Hawke’s Bay wine, with 82% Cabernet Sauvignon and 18% Merlot making up a classic ‘Left Bank’ Bordeaux blend. ’91 is obviously some years ago, but allowing for the bottle …

Vidal Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 1991 Read More

The last of the ‘old’ LBC wines before the vineyard was pulled out to combat virus in the Chardonnay vines. At 13 years of age, the colour has darkened to …

Craggy Range ‘Les Beaux Cailloux’ Chardonnay 2011 Read More

From the Ballochdale Vineyard in the Awatere Valley – situated well inland, and at over 300 metres in height. A bright ruby-burgundy colour in the glass. Crisp, varietal scents on …

Čuvar Guardians Pinot Noir 2023 Read More

One of the single vineyard range of wines made by Villa Maria when they were arguably at their best and most influential around a decade ago. From the vineyard on …

Villa Maria ‘Taylors Pass Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2012 Read More

So often a blending component, I’m always happy to try a straight Cabernet Franc, when you can find one! The organic grapes for this one are grown on the TK …

Amoise Cabernet Franc 2022 Read More

At the most recent of the WineFolio ‘Top 10 Tasting’ events (https://winefolio.co.nz/?p=10236) it was noted by judges that “there were a couple where the wines were more distinctly varietal than …

Marlborough Sun Sauvignon Rosé 2023 Read More

A wine from the excellent 2019 vintage – grown in the Gimblett Gravels region of Hawke’s Bay. A Cabernet Sauvignon dominant red blend, with 7% Merlot and 4% Cabernet Franc. …

Craggy Range The Quarry 2019 Read More

From a difficult vintage, comes the latest from this boutique label – one of the first Chardonnays of the 2023 vintage I’ve tasted. A vibrant pale green colour in the …

Helio Chardonnay 2023 Read More

From New Zealand’s spiritual home of Sauvignon – Marlborough. A silvery lemon-green in the glass. Powerfully perfumed with grapefruit, whitecurrant, passionfruit, lemon peel, acacia, celery, fern and daisy. A burst …

Mahi Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Read More