Reviews

One thing I’ve had a couple of requests to comment on, and write about, is ageing of wines – in particular the question of “how well, or long, can the …

This label is based in the Waikato, making wines by Lake Karapiro – but has made its reputation with a wine from Central Otago. The 2014 vintage of this wine …

From the lower terrace at Askerne, in Hawke’s Bay comes this Bordeaux style red blend, from the excellent COVID-hit vintage of 2020. Very dark, inky claret colour in the glass. …

From the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough. Very pale green-straw, with pink/grey edges, in the glass. Lovely aromatic wine, showing a spicy nose that has classic Pinot Gris notes of apple …

Taking fruit from a premium coastal site in Te Awanga to produce their Reserve Chardonnay. A pale gold in the glass, with a rich nose filled with peach and tropical …

From a coastal site at Te Awanga in Hawke’s Bay. Pale lemon-green in the glass, and a steely freshness on the nose. A flinty reductivity, mandarin, apple caramel, baguette crust, …

A wine from Waiheke Island, from pioneers Kim and Jeanette Goldwater who started making wine on the island in 1978. Opened after 31 years in the bottle. A mid-garnet ruby …

A Marlborough wine from the Southern Valleys sub-region, and winner of a Gold Medal at NZIWS this year. A dark ruby in the glass, with bright aromatics of cherry, blackcurrant, …

From the boutique winery on the shores of Lake Karapiro. Using Merlot and Cabernet Franc to craft this rosé with a delicately pale salmon pink colour in the glass. Perfumed …