Testify ‘Red’ 2020
Daniel Brennan’s ‘Big red’ of his stable of Testify/Decibel/Giunta wines. This year it is still Gimblett Gravels fruit, but with 20% Merlot joining the Malbec party. A dense dark purple …
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A tour around the best of Australian Chardonnays
At a long weekend staying at Clearview Homestead recently, not only did I get to taste a regional selection of the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnays; a long afternoon of Californian …
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Escarpment Kupe Pinot Noir 2013
From the Kupe vineyard just east of Martinborough on its terraced, alluvial gravel soils, comes this top-drawer Pinot Noir, made one of the country’s legendary winemakers – Larry McKenna. Huw …
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Topsy Turvey Chardonnay 2020
Made from grapes planted many years ago by Clearview Estate legend Tim Turvey and daughter Katie at Te Awanga, Hawke’s Bay. A brilliant pale lemon gold, with voluminous aromas that …
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Passage Rock ‘Generation’ 2020
Made for the first time in 2020 from “an exceptional year, perfect grapes and five barrels” according to David Evans at the winery. A deep, dense inky black claret in …
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Louis Latour Corton-Charlemagne Grand Cru 2008
From one of the classic sub-regions for great Chardonnay, but a tricky hail and rain-affected vintage in 2008. A mid-golden straw colour in the glass, showing some bottle age. Nicely …
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Rockburn Pinot Gris 2021
Reviewed for “Pinot Gris Day 2022” Golden yellow straw coloured, with green edges; and a lively nose filled with classic Pinot Gris aromatics – pear, guava, rockmelon, lime leaf, mandarin, …
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Destiny Bay ‘Destinae’ 2010
From Waiheke Island, and a vintage described as ‘a very ripe and very Mediterranean style vintage’. Dense and inky ruby purple colour. Brooding and aromatic on the nose, with youthful …
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Terrace Edge Syrah 2019
From a precipitous slope of a vineyard in Waipara, North Canterbury, comes this well-regarded Syrah – the 2015 vintage finished an excellent 4th place in the Top 10 tasting of …
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Stonyridge Larose 2010
From the Onetangi Valley, Waiheke Island; a Bordeaux-style red blend of great reputation – being made from 1987 – with 2010 being listed as “a superb vintage” by the winery. …
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