A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
Opened to taste in anticipation of ‘International Pinot Day’ in August 2023. The latest of two Pinots released under Rockburn’s ‘barrel’ series where winemaker Malcolm Rees-Francis searches for the very …
Rockburn Twelve Barrels Gibbston Pinot Noir 2022 Read More
A Cabernet Franc from the Noetzli Family Vineyard in Maraekakaho, Hawke’s Bay. A light burgundy red in the glass. More of a Loire-inspired expression than Bordeaux, this has a crunch …
Three Fates Cabernet Franc 2022 Read More
From what the label describes as “a very good to exceptional Hawke’s Bay vintage, especially for Chardonnay”. A mixture of clones and vineyard sources this year – clones 95, Mendoza, …
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Chardonnay 2021 Read More
Qupe’s Bob Lindquist planted some of the first Rhone varietals in California at the Bien Nacido Hillside Estate vineyard in the 1990s and became known as one of founding ‘Rhone …
Qupe Bien Nacido Roussanne 2009 Read More
One of New Zealand’s best regarded wines, from low-yielding old vines (of over twenty years age), on the Martinborough Terrace. A vibrant ruby-purple in the glass. Youthful, energetic aromas showing …
Dry River Pinot Noir 2021 Read More
A Heathcote wine that is the joint venture of famed Rhone Valley winemakers Michel and Corinne Chapoutier and Ron and Elva Laughton of Jasper Hill. An opaque purple-black in the …
La Pleiade Shiraz 2019 Read More
Taking inspiration from ‘Spätlese’ expressions of Riesling of Germany which are lighter in alcohol, and offer an off-dry sweetness balanced with a racy acidity. Grown in the Parkburn Vineyard, Central …
Rockburn Tigermoth Riesling 2022 Read More
A return to a wine I’ve had throughout my career writing about wines – from my time in Europe, and the occasional glass here in New Zealand. The oldest I’ve …
Chateau Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande 1994 Read More
A 100% Sauvignon Blanc wine, from the Parkburn Vineyard in Central Otago. An expression far removed from what the world expects from a Sauvignon Blanc in New Zealand. The juice …
Rockburn Fumé Blanc 2022 Read More
A single vineyard wine from the Briant’s vineyard in the Patutahi region of Gisborne, just across the river from Matawhero. A vibrant green-gold colour in the glass. The perfume speaks …
Matawhero Church House Chenin Blanc 2021 Read More