A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Gleaming bright and golden in the glass, with a flamboyant nose of pineapple, cashew, passionfruit, straw, baked apple strudel and jasmine. A few years (probably a few too many) in …
CJ Pask ‘Roys Hill’ Chardonnay 2011 Read More
A blend of Pinot Noir (held on skins for 6 hours) and Pinot Gris. A delightful pale pink salmon colour. Medium-light bodied and dry (although it does have around 5 …
Mount Riley ‘The Bonnie’ Pinot Rosé 2020 Read More
Although The ‘Tere’ is a top tier ‘icon’ from Askerne – the Estate Syrah trumped this particular wine for me at the visit to the Cellar Door in December, so …
Askerne The ‘Tere’ Syrah 2019 Read More
From the Paritua vineyard in Bridge Pa, this power-packed “Hawke’s Bay” blend/red is Merlot dominant with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Although the minor partner in this …
Paritua ‘Red’ 2018 Read More
From the Soler vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, using Merlot grapes to create this Biogro-certified organic wine. The perfect rosé colour (for me) – a bright salmon pink with a touch …
Villa Maria Earth Garden Rosé 2020 Read More
From the ‘Tiger’ and ‘Viper’ vineyards, comes this Central Otago Chardonnay. Classic, elegant aromas of lemon, croissant, chamomile and spring flowers. Wider on the medium-bodied palate, with ripe stonefruit, red …
Chard Farm ‘Judge & Jury’ Chardonnay 2018 Read More
Showing excellent varietal character, with red plum, musk rose, lavender and mocha on the nose. Concentrated and balanced, although a nice backbone of chewy tannin lurks at the core. Hearty …
Marsden ‘Vigot’ Syrah 2017 Read More
Drunk to celebrate the inaugural Méthode Marlborough Day, and as a delicious starting point to a gourmet night of wine and food. A vintage wine with 3 years and 9 …
No.1 Estate Cuvée Virginie 2016 Read More
With fruit from the pristine Two Terraces vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. Palest translucent lemon yellow in the glass. Mineral, apricot, red apple, acacia florals and orange peel on the nose. …
Esk Valley Albarino 2020 Read More
A bold opening, with its near-trademark struck-match reductive flintiness, orange peel, roast cashew, peach and a lift of heady citrus blossom. More elegant on the palate than the nose suggests, if …
Vidal Legacy Chardonnay 2019 Read More