Reviews

A revisit of a wine that I first tasted back in 2024 – ‘Cumulus’ is a white wine made from a blend of two varietals – 80% Chardonnay and 20% …

Hopesgrove ‘Cumulus’ white blend 2023 Read More

A single vineyard wine, from the Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawke’s Bay. This was released from the excellent 2019 vintage and I tasted it on release – so today is …

Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More

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

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