A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Esk Valley winemaker Gordon Russell best known wine is his iconic red field blend ‘The Terraces’ but in my opinion was perhaps at his best when creating wines for the …
Esk Valley ‘Winemakers Reserve’ Syrah 2009 Read More
From a cooler vintage in Bannockburn. Hand-picked fruit was whole bunch pressed. The natural fermentation with indigenous yeasts was stopped by chilling to balance the high natural acidity with residual …
Felton Road ‘Block 1′ Riesling 2020 Read More
A Pinot Noir from the Waitaki Valley, which has a cool climate with limestone-sloped hillsides. A recent vintage was the winner of the ‘Best New Zealand Red Wine’ Trophy at …
Clos Ostler Caroline’s Pinot Noir 2016 Read More
From a “classic Waiheke Island vintage” typified by a warm, dry growing season with good ripening conditions that produced concentrated, structured reds. Reflecting this “The Point” in this vintage is …
Te Whau Vineyard The Point 2014 Read More
Mills Reef was founded in 1989 and became known for their reds from the Gimblett Gravels region as well as building a strong reputation for their Chardonnay – especially the …
Mills Reef Elspeth Chardonnay 2016 Read More
From the Onetangi Valley, on Waiheke Island this is a blend of 70% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, 10% Cabernet Sauvignon and 5% Petit Verdot. Components were fermented separately in a …
Obsidian Vitreous 2019 Read More
The wine is named after the Cornish Point Vineyard, a 7.6-hectare piece of land located on a narrow peninsula in Bannockburn, surrounded by Lake Dunstan. Because it sits at a …
Felton Road Cornish Point Pinot Noir 2016 Read More
This wine from what is widely regarded as a potentially exceptional vintage won a Best in Show Award at the 2022 Decanter World Wine Awards, from 18,244 wines entered. Sealed …
Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2020 Read More
One of New Zealand’s great Chardonnays, from a single vineyard site in Hawke’s Bay. This is the last vintage under the old label – changing to the more distinctive Single …
Villa Maria Keltern Vineyard Chardonnay 2017 Read More
From hand-picked fruit that was whole bunch pressed from the winery site in Te Awanga in Hawke’s Bay. Natural fermentation and only went through partial malolactic prior to being aged …
Elephant Hill ‘Sea’ Chardonnay 2022 Read More