Reviews

One of the Elephant Hill designations – each expression drawn from one of ‘Sea’ (Te Awanga), ‘Earth’ (Bridge Pa) and ‘Stone’ (Gimblett Gravels). A pale gold colour in the glass. …

Elephant Hill ‘Earth’ Chardonnay 2022 Read More

Using Syrah from the Hopesgrove vineyard in Hawke’s Bay in a natural style, and designed to be served lightly chilled. In the glass it is darker than a rosé – …

Aard ‘Le Petit’ Syrah 2023 Read More

A first release for this new label comes from the McCreanor Vineyard in Martinborough. A pale, lemon colour in the glass, with just a sheen of silvery metallic to the …

Oraterra Pinot Gris 2023 Read More

A white wine made from a blend of two varietals – 80% Chardonnay and 20% Viognier. A pale green-straw colour in the glass. The perfume is quite lively and aromatic, …

Hopesgrove ‘Cumulus’ 2023 Read More

A first review of a wine I first tasted at the vineyard back in mid-2021 – www.winefolio.co.nz/?p=3657. A dense ruby-purple in the glass. Very bright and aromatic on the nose, …

Bell Hill Pinot Noir 2016 Read More

A pale gold in the glass. The scent carries ripe, fresh flavours of lime, nectarine, green apple, almond, cardamom, tarragon, mandarin, vanilla nougat and wood smoke. Decent weight into the …

Delta Hatters Hill Chardonnay 2022 Read More

A wine from Central Otago, and specifically the Alexandra sub-region – from their Earnscleugh vineyard. A deep ruby colour in the glass. A bright and light perfume, showing red cherry, …

Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir 2008 Read More

Tasted at the recent Retrospective Tasting to as part of the celebrations for the 80th Anniversary. A murmur went around the room as the group discovered this wine to taste.  …

Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2010 Read More

The top-level single vineyard Syrah from this small producer in Hawke’s Bay. 2020 was an excellent vintage. A deep, slightly opaque, garnet red colour in the glass. The depth of …

Hopesgrove ‘Silver Lining’ Syrah 2020 Read More