A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
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
A wine from Central Otago – under the label that if you asked someone would be best known for an excellent, and lavish/sizeable, hospitality destination on the outskirts of Arrowtown. …
Ayrburn Pinot Noir 2025 Read More
From a cooler than average vintage in the Gibbston Valley in Central Otago (877 GDD) and off nineteen year old vines with a variety of clones. Under screwcap. A medium, …
Valli Gibbston Pinot Noir 2020 Read More
A new single varietal wine from The Landing on the Purerua Peninsula in the Bay of Islands, in Northland. Cabernet Franc is perhaps a growing trend in New Zealand, and …
The Landing Cabernet Franc 2024 Read More
From the challenging 2012 vintage which saw a season characterised by relatively poor weather which fortunately was followed by an Indian-summer spell that allowed the red grapes to finish ripening. …
Te Whau ‘The Point’ 2012 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay Syrah – something that the region is developing a growing reputation for. Te Mata use fruit from their own vineyards exclusively even for this entry-level tier of …
Te Mata Syrah 2025 Read More
At the time, the 2010 vintage was described as the greatest vintage ever on Waiheke Island – both in terms of its abundance, but also the power and concentration. This …
Stonyridge Larose 2010 Read More
A wine that you might typically only get to taste at the Spy Valley Cellar Door in the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough. I got to try it at a presentation …
Spy Valley ‘Y Block’ Sauvignon Blanc 2024 Read More
From a warm, dry vintage. The handpicked fruit (42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Tempranillo, 24% Cabernet Franc) was sourced from established vineyards in the stony river bed soils of the Gimblett …
Smith & Sheth CRU Cantera 2019 Read More
The latest vintage of a Hawke’s Bay wine that I signed up to receive ‘en primeur’ on its first release and have been reviewing, and drinking every year since. This …
Helio Chardonnay 2025 Read More