A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
From Wanaka, and some of New Zealand’s oldest Pinot vines. A dense, opaque, purple in the glass – boldly perfumed with blueberry, cherry, raspberry and violets florals. Medium bodied, dry …
Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2017 Read More
From the Santa Maria Valley in California. A vibrant depth of golden-green colour in the glass, with a heady nose of smoky vanilla, roast cashew, nectarine, butterscotch, pear, quince and …
Au Bon Climat “XXX Anniversary Nuits Blanches au Bouge” Chardonnay 2010 Read More
A ‘Bordeaux Blanc’ style white wine – a blend of Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon from Waiheke Island. Pale lemon/straw colour in the glass, with intriguing aromas of green apple, cut …
Man O’ War ‘Gravestone’ 2019 Read More
From fruit grown by Jeff and Vanessa Hammond in the Waihopai Valley, Marlborough – from the low-yielding, but superb quality, 2021 vintage. A pale peachy pink in the glass, with …
Astrolabe Comelybank vineyard Rosé 2021 Read More
From syrah grapes, in the Motea Pa appellation of Hawke’s Bay. A refined, pale salmon pink colour in the glass, with aromatics and floral notes coming brightly to the fore …
Trinity Hill ‘Molly’s Block’ Rosé 2021 Read More
Named in honour of the wife of pioneer winemaker Tom McDonald; hand-picked fruit from the Omaranui vineyard in the Tutaikuri sub-region of Hawke’s Bay. A pale gold in the glass, …
Church Road ‘Gwen’ Chardonnay 2020 Read More
From the Osawa vineyard in Maraekakaho – this Bordeaux blend is a classic Hawke’s Bay red. Dark garnet in the glass, perfumed with smoky, charred plum, graphite, boysenberry, chamomile, black …
Osawa Wines ‘Flying Sheep’ Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Read More
An older version of a wine that was a big discovery for me in 2020. From Bendigo in Central Otago, a bright, lemon-green colour in the glass. Elegant and fresh, …
Quartz Reef Chardonnay 2016 Read More
From Heathcote in Central Victoria, Australia – sourced from their oldest blocks and only made in really good years. Darkest garnet in the glass, with a rich and inviting nose …
Tyrrell’s Lunatiq Shiraz 2009 Read More
Using their best fruit from Estate vineyards on Waiheke Island. Bright, pale golden-yellow, greening at the edges. Perfumed with satsuma, grapefruit, red apple, chestnut, oatmeal and lemon blossom. Crisp, enticing …
Passage Rock Reserve Chardonnay 2019 Read More