A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Using Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from the Cornerstone Vineyard, in Gimblett Gravels area of Hawke’s Bay. The fruit de-stemmed and put into an amphora vessel. Plunged and then sealed up for …
Chateau Garage Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Read More
A low-intervention winemaking style of Riesling using organic fruit from the Nelson region. A bright lemon-green colour in the glass. Delicately aromatic – this is no blockbuster – with lime, …
Unkel Juno Riesling 2024 Read More
Named after the Irish family who bought the estate in 1771, the Château was purchased by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1973. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet …
Château Clarke 2018 Read More
A Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay. Predominantly hand-harvested. 85% whole bunch with fermentation in French oak puncheons for 10 months, of which 10% was new. Sealed under screw cap. A pale, …
Craggy Range ‘Kidnappers Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2018 Read More
The top-tier Sauvignon Blanc from Giesen Wines in Marlborough. The producer labels it as ‘Bold, Complex and Unconventional – a Mark of the man’ – it’s named after the Giesen …
Giesen ‘The August’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More
My trip down to Hawke’s Bay to have a look at the 2026 harvest was well-timed. Tony Bish went on record to say that “Vintage 2026 is already breaking records. …
Tony Bish – the latest releases Read More
A red ‘Bordeaux Blend’ from handpicked fruit sourced from 13 year old vines in the Gimblett Gravels of Hawke’s Bay. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 35% and Cabernet …
Sacred Hill Helmsman 2013 Read More
A relatively rare variety in New Zealand that is perhaps best known from the French appellation of Jurançon. Forrest and Churton have it in their Marlborough vineyards as well as …
Spade Oak ‘Vigneron’ Petit Manseng 2016 Read More
A single vineyard wine, from the rich clay soils of the Upper Moutere sub-region of Tasman. A light steely green colour in the glass. A zesty perfume stars peach, sliced …
Tohu Whenua Matua Albariño 2020 Read More
I had more than a few discussions amongst people in the wine business over the last couple of years – about what customers really want to be drinking these days …
The Graduates Chillin’ Pinot 2024 Read More