A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A single vineyard wine, from the Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke’s Bay, and from the excellent 2019 vintage. Opens with a mouth-watering bouquet of grapefruit, cashew, nectarine and caramel, lit …
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More
From the northernmost vineyard in the country, on the Karikari Peninsula, this Syrah is ruby red in the glass, with vibrant aromas of redcurrant, plum, white pepper and chamomile herbals. …
Karikari Estate Syrah 2017 Read More
The excellent 2019 harvest in Hawke’s Bay produced top quality fruit from the Riverview vineyard – one of our top vineyards with a rich history of Chardonnays being created over …
Mills Reef ‘Elspeth’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More
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