A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Dry River in Martinborough started out as an aromatic white wine producer in 1979 before becoming perhaps better-known – as did Martinborough itself – for Pinot Noir. For me, these …
Dry River Craighall Vineyard Selection Riesling 2016 Read More
From Wanaka, and a part of their vineyard that has some of New Zealand’s oldest Pinot Noir planted. A dark ruby purple colour in the glass. The bouquet has plenty …
Rippon Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2021 Read More
A wine from a low-fi producer in the Moutere region of Nelson – using organic fruit. This orange wine is a skin-fermented blend of Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer, Sauvignon Blanc and …
Unkel ‘Life’s a Beach’ Orange 2023 Read More
From the 110 hectare Clos Henri Estate whose vineyards feature at least three different soil structures. A bright, translucent, very pale lemon-green colour in the glass. On the nose there’s …
Clos Henri Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2025 Read More
A Syrah from Paewhenua Island, near Cable Bay in Northland. A glossy, dark ruby in the glass. The vineyard is on a peninsula overlooking the ocean, and the wine has …
Dancing Petrel Syrah 2022 Read More
Trelinnoe Vineyard Chardonnay 2024 From a site that was the Cypress vineyard for the Lawsons, on Roys Hill – named for the owner’s historical ties to Cornwall. Interesting to note …
2 new Bilancia wines from the Trelinnoe Vineyard Read More
A wine from Alexandra in Central Otago, in an excellent vintage for the region. A deep ruby red colour in the glass. The nose has that Central Otago cherry note, …
Judge Rock Pinot Noir 2017 Read More
A red blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec, from Matakana, north of Auckland, in a vintage that the producer describes as “climatically a perfect year for the Auckland area”. …
Providence Private Reserve 2005 Read More
A Riesling from organic fruit, grown on alluvial soils in Martinborough. A very pale straw-lemon yellow in the glass. The perfume has a lovely varietal purity, with lime, golden apple, …
Grava Riesling 2023 Read More
From the celebrated Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke’s Bay, in a superb vintage. A deep ruby-garnet red in the glass. The aromas show good varietal typicity – you know this …
Mills Reef ‘Gimblett Gravels’ Reserve Syrah 2020 Read More