Reviews

From the Estate vineyards in Bannockburn, Central Otago. A bright, translucent gold in the glass. Varietally pure and aromatic, mixing citrus notes of lemon, lime and grapefruit with jasmine and …

Akarua Dry Riesling 2024 Read More

A Hawke’s Bay Syrah, from the very good 2021 vintage. A medium-density garnet red in the glass. Vividly aromatic, with spices, savoury notes and sweet ripe fruits all contributing to …

Alpha Domus Barnstormer Syrah 2021 Read More

A Sauvignon Blanc from prime vineyard land on Rapaura Road in Marlborough. A translucent pale green-straw colour in the glass. Powerful and complex aromas emerge instantly on opening. Starts with …

Rimapere ‘Plot 101’ Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Read More

Another box full of delights to discover, from the team at Laithwaites. As usual, there are a swathe of wines that I wouldn’t normally encounter. We are creatures of habit, …

A Spring box to discover, from laithwaites.co.nz Read More

Having recently done the Top 10 Tasting of Syrah, including a ‘Top 10 over 10’ which has a 2013 vintage of this wine… so super-interesting to try another (and 2014 …

Paritua Syrah 2014 Read More

‘Velvet’ is Mudbrick Estate on Waiheke Island’s top tier red wine. For this vintage, it has renamed ‘Robyn’s Velvet’ in honour of Robyn Skelton, the co-founder of Mudbrick, who died …

Mudbrick Robyn’s Velvet 2024 Read More

A rosé made from Central Otago Pinot Noir. Quite a bright and darker tone of pink than I’m seeing whilst judging rosé lately – a deep copper orangey-pink colour here. …

Rockburn ‘Stolen Kiss’ Rosé 2025 Read More

From one of the oldest vineyards in Gibbston, Central Otago. A dark purple colour in the glass. The perfume has a complex blend of floral – lilac and rose petal; …

Takapoto Estate Single Vineyard Gibbston Pinot Noir 2019 Read More