A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A Champagne from the Billecart-Salmon house – a blend of 37% Chardonnay, 33% Pinot Noir and 30% Pinot Meunier, using 70% Reserve wine. A very fine mousse of tiny bubbles …
Charles Le Bel ‘Inspiration 1818’ Brut NV Read More
A tasting last week sees the opportunity to look at some of the latest releases from Penfolds. Tommys Champagne Bar is in the old Seafarers Building – a comfortable space …
The latest releases from Penfolds Read More
The pinnacle of the Church Road range of wines is their TOM. They state: “Dedicated to Tom McDonald, Patriarch of Church Road and pioneer of Hawke’s Bay’s quality focused winemaking …
Church Road ‘Tom’ Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2020 Read More
A pale gold-straw in the glass. Heady perfume of ripe golden fruits – ripe lemon, quince, apricot, peach, apple and grapefruit. A sliver of struck-match reductivity, minerality and salinity lingers. …
Novum Chardonnay 2022 Read More
Hawke’s Bay is one of only a few places in the world that produces really good Merlot. Too cold and it becomes an insipid, green Cabernet, and too hot it …
Church Road ‘1’ Merlot 2021 Read More
A dense, dark burgundy with the beginnings of brick starting at the edges. Black cherry, root beer, rhubarb, pomegranete, raspberry, tapenade and cloves on the nose. Dry, with the spice …
Fromm ‘La Strada’ Pinot Noir 2001 Read More
Designed by maker Daniel Brennan to be served chilled, this Hawke’s Bay red has a Pinot Noir portion from Maraekakaho, and picks of Malbec and Merlot from the Bridge Pa …
Giunta Crunchy Red 2022 Read More
A vibrant lemon-green in the glass. A note of smoky struck-match minerality sits underneath a perfume of nectarine, lime curd, golden apple, quince and mandarin. Lovely crisp acidity greets the …
Abel ‘Tasman’ Chardonnay 2020 Read More
From the Gimblett Gravels Winegrowing District in Hawke’s Bay, with great vintage conditions. Perfumed with dark blackcurrant, damson, smoked mushroom, cedar, graphite and a floral note of rose petal and …
Church Road ‘1’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 Read More
A new rosé from Hawke’s Bay label Trinity Hill – in collaboration with artist Emma Bass. Made from Syrah, Tempranillo and Touriga Nacional, it has that perfect tinge of coral …
Trinity Hill ‘Emma’ Rosé 2023 Read More