A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
The Block 17 ‘Plateau’ has most of its fruit sourced from a single vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, and is typically a blend of two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, …
St Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Cabernet Merlot – across vintages Read More
From Marlborough, in a low-yielding but excellent quality year. A brilliant, very pale lemon-green yellow in the glass. Bold but not too upfront on the nose – with lemongrass, white …
Soho ‘Stella’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More
One of a range of rosé from Terra Sancta based on Felton Rd in Bannockburn – I’ve not stumbled upon this particular one very often. I also find that keeping …
Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Rosé 2019 Read More
A Bordeaux blend wine from the Bridge Pa sub-region of Hawke’s Bay, made by Paritua. A vibrant claret colour and with some delicacy on the nose. A bit of forest-floor …
Stone Paddock Scarlet 2018 Read More
A red wine from Basilicata, Southern Italy. Dark claret ruby in the glass, with bold aromatics flowing onto the nose of cherry, vanilla, date, raspberry and date. Softer acidity and …
Tre Stelle Aglianico del Vulture 2018 Read More
An excellent vintage, producing a wine of excellent aromatics – leaping from the glass. Bright, vivid ruby-magenta in the glass. Pretty and floral, with violets and cherry blossom, then notes …
Passage Rock Syrah 2019 Read More
A single vineyard Chardonnay from the Escarpment vineyard on Te Muna Road in Martinborough. A medium straw yellow in the glass – showing a little colour from bottle age. The …
Escarpment ‘Kupe’ Chardonnay 2012 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay wine – one of the ‘classic’ Bordeaux style blends that the region is known for. A plentiful purple with magenta flashes at the edges – some Malbec …
Esk Valley Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot / Malbec 2020 Read More
From the label with a claim on being New Zealand’s original Fine Wine Estate, with 125 years of continuous production. Famed for its top tier wine ‘Coleraine’ but also producing …
Te Mata Awatea – vintage by vintage: ‘18-‘19-‘20 Read More
From Rutherford, Napa Valley in California – one of the classic labels – taking part in the legendary ‘Judgement of Paris’, and making benchmark Napa Cabernet since the ‘60s. This …
Freemark Abbey Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 Read More