A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A Méthode Traditionnelle from Esses Estate – the only vineyard in the Kaikoura township, sitting at the base of Mt Fyffe. From the 20-year old vines in their small 1.5ha …
Esses ‘Encore’ Méthode Traditionnelle 2016 Read More
A wine from the Escarpment Home Block vineyard on the Martinborough Terrace – a wine that Larry McKenna used to make along the lines of the Weißburgunder dry whites from …
Escarpment ‘Blanc’ Pinot Blanc 2025 Read More
A “Pét-Nat”(short for Pétillant Naturel) sparkling wine, made with a single fermentation and bottled before that primary ferment has finished. Hand-picked Muscat and Chardonnay (50% of each) was sourced from …
Vandal Pet Bat 2023 Read More
A wine from a single vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, that has been a part of this label’s ‘icon’ offerings for many years, and is perhaps one of only a few …
Villa Maria Keltern Chardonnay 2024 Read More
A white wine from Marlborough – winner of the Trophy for Champion Pinot Gris at NZIWS this year. The bouquet shows tremendous varietal typicity – there’s no mistaking that this …
Te Pā Pinot Gris 2025 Read More
A Pinot Noir from Martinborough: named after the founding father of Martinborough, John Martin – winner of a Gold Medal at NZIWS this year. A striking deep burgundy purple colour in …
Te Kairanga ‘John Martin’ Pinot Noir 2024 Read More
A white wine using fruit from the Wairau and Awatere Valleys of Marlborough – and winner of one of the coveted ‘Double Gold’ awards at NZIWS this year. A pale …
Boatshed Bay Pinot Gris 2025 Read More
A Syrah from Hawke’s Bay – and this producer’s regionally-specific bottlings. Here, the ’Stone’ on the label refers to the Gimblett Gravels vineyard. The plan is to do separate expressions …
Elephant Hill Stone Syrah 2015 Read More
A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon from Hawke’s Bay – bringing together the noble grape varieties of Bordeaux and Tuscany. The 38% Sangiovese is from the Osawa Vineyard, and …
Chateau Garage ‘Lorenzo the Magnificent’ 2024 Read More
From one of the great, and sadly missed, labels of recent times – the Vidal Legacy series was a superb value and high quality range of wines that slipped away …
Vidal Legacy Chardonnay 2013 Read More