A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
From 40-year-old Cinsault bush vines, with a touch of Syrah, from Darling, South Africa. Wonderfully perfumed, with cranberry, cherry, rose petal, redcurrant, white pepper, cassia and violet florals. The palate …
Duncan Savage ‘Follow the Line’ 2016 Read More
From a limestone-soiled hillside vineyard in Wairarapa – whole bunch pressed and aged in old oak. Varietally pure aromatics of crisp, ripe pear, satsuma peel, red apple, jasmine, lychee and …
B.wine Pinot Gris 2021 Read More
From the launch of these wines mid-week, to reviewing them tonight, the difference and yet family resemblance has been on my mind. The Thomson’s Block is a serious contender although …
Trinity Hill – Homage ‘19 and Thomson’s Block ‘20 Syrahs Read More
Unusually, a wine made from fruit grown in Waikato, at the Estate vineyards by Lake Karapiro. A classic example of Cabernet Franc, with the signature ‘franc funk’ evident on the …
Takapoto Estate Crossing Point ‘The Red’ 2018 Read More
One of those Central Otago Pinots that I tend to introduce as ‘quintessential Central Pinot’ – one that you’d give to someone who’d never tasted a Pinot Noir from this …
Peregrine Pinot Noir 2015 Read More
A rich expression, with delicious aromatics on the nose – apricot, pear, lychee, mandarin peel, macademia nut and a lemon blossom floral lift. Brimming with golden stonefruit, marmalade and pink …
Elephant Hill Sea Viognier 2019 Read More
A chardonnay from a higher altitude vineyard in the northern section of St. Aubin. Showing aromas of lemon peel, sourdough crumb, chestnut, geranium, nashi pear and citrus blossom. The palate …
Pierre-Yves Colin-Morey Saint Aubin ‘Le Banc’ 2019 Read More
Time rolls around to another release day of the latest single vineyard (and Estate) Chardonnays from Kumeu River. After impeccable vintages in first 2019 and then the stellar 2020 – …
Kumeu River Chardonnays 2021 Read More
I adore sherry. Spending a third of my adult life in Bristol, UK – home to Harveys Wine who were historically one of the biggest importers of the wine from …
Williams & Humbert ‘Don Guido’ Pedro Ximénez Sherry Read More
One thing I’ve had a couple of requests to comment on, and write about, is ageing of wines – in particular the question of “how well, or long, can the …
Fromm Clayvin Chardonnay – 2010 & 2020 vintages Read More