A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A Martinborough wine, from the Estate block on Huangarua Road – with identifiably local flavours – savoury, bloody and with heaps of spice. A dark burgundy in the glass, with …
Nga Waka Lease Block Pinot Noir 2020 Read More
From selected vineyards in Marlborough, comes this fragrant Sauvignon Blanc – fresh and aromatic on opening the bottle – the perfume is quite powerful. Showing passionfruit, grapefruit, blackcurrant, feijoa, lime …
Edwin Fox Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2022 Read More
From Central Hawke’s Bay – a hillside site on limestone, near Waipawa. In a simply fabulous spot drinking and age-wise, with about eight years in the bottle. A brilliant mid-ruby …
Lime Rock Pinot Noir 2014 Read More
A Malbec from Kangaroo Island in South Australia. Varietally true, showing an inky purple colour in the glass. Perfumed with dark plum, bay leaf, cheese rind, tobacco, bramble, cacao nib …
The Islander ‘The Independence’ 2016 Read More
In the glass this is a pale straw colour, slightly greener at the edges. Vibrant aromatics, with lemon peel, red apple, grapefruit, nectarine and almond. Racy acidity gives good drive …
Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2017 Read More
A light, vibrant tone of ruby red in the glass, with enticing aromas of raspberry, pomegranate, white pepper, vanilla and blood orange. Medium bodied – showing plenty of personality – …
D’Arenberg ‘The Custodian’ McLaren Vale Grenache 2019 Read More
A pale green-straw colour in the glass, with prickly, zesty aromatics of mandarin, blanched almond, lime, dried peach and lemon blossom. A lightness of touch and an initial song of …
Kusuda Riesling 2021 Read More
A new release from Rockburn with a focus on specific sites or clones within the vineyard. As winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis says “All grapes are picked. Not all are chosen”. Both …
Rockburn ‘The Chosen’ Pinot Noirs of 2021 Read More
A return to one of my wines of the year from 2021 – a Chardonnay that has ranked amongst my favourite New Zealand versions since the introduction of this single …
Church Road 1 Chardonnay 2021 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay blend of Chardonnay from their vineyards plus some Pinot Gris and Sauvignon Blanc from Maraekakaho – banged together to make an ideal crisp summer white – something …
Village Vineyards Sunset Pool 2021 Read More