A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
From the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke’s Bay, with over a decade ageing in the bottle (featuring the old ‘moustache’ logo!). Brooding, inky dark carmine red in the glass. Boldly perfumed …
Mills Reef ‘Elspeth’ Merlot 2009 Read More
Unusual to find the famous Italian variety of Sangiovese in a Hawke’s Bay wine – it’s pinnacle being Brunello di Montalcino or in a Chianti (IMHO). Inkily ruby with deep …
Osawa Wines Flying Sheep Sangiovese 2015 Read More
A Pinot Noir from the Southern Valleys sub-region of Marlborough. Dark carmine-burgundy in the glass; with dark cherry, cranberry, almond, cloves and a top note of flowering wisteria. A deep …
St Clair Omaka Reserve Pinot Noir 2019 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, pale gold in the glass; with a vibrant nose of grapefruit, golden peach, cashew nut, caramel and orange blossom. The palate is ripe, voluminous and concentrated. …
Sileni Lodge Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2018 Read More
From Waiheke and Ponui islands in the Hauraki Gulf. Shining pale straw with light greening at the edges in the glass. A youthfully vibrant perfume of red apple, almond, lemon …
Man O’ War Pinot Gris 2021 Read More
Hand-picked fruit from the Mere Road vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels – the ‘undressed’ label refers to a lack of sulphur (and fining) to this Syrah (one of a range …
Stonecroft ‘Undressed’ Syrah 2020 Read More
A hand-picked single vineyard wine from Bannockburn in Central Otago. Aromas of dark plum, rosehip and cranberry, with a floral lift of violets and lilac. Ripe, fine tannins – showing …
Bald Hills single vineyard Pinot Noir 2016 Read More
From fruit at the Wairarapa home estate vineyard, I first tasted this at the winery last summer. A light golden yellow, some green towards the edges. Ripe and opulent on …
Matahiwi Holly ‘South Series’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More
Classic Bordeaux varietals – the blend is half Merlot, then a quarter Cabernet Sauvignon, the others offering up a share of the rest. The Cabernet shows the way, with bold …
Askerne Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015 Read More
Medium golden yellow in the glass, with aromas of peach, roasted almond, pink apple, caramel and orange blossom. Medium bodied with a bright acidity and a little tart fruit tannin. …
Te Kairanga Chardonnay 2018 Read More