A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
From the limestone-soiled Lethbridge vineyard in the Geelong region of Victoria. A mid-density ruby garnet in the glass. Intensely aromatic, with broodingly dark spice, black cherry, rosehip, raspberry and forest …
Lethbridge Mietta Pinot Noir 2019 Read More
A re-release of this wine that last made Pioneer Block grade back in 2015. Sourced from a single vineyard in Dillons Point – in Marlborough’s lower Wairau Valley, with fruit …
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 25 ‘Point Five’ Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Read More
An Italian varietal that has found a home in the Gimblett Gravels of Hawke’s Bay – winner of the Trophy for Champion International Red Wine Varieties at the NZIWS this …
Beach House Montepulciano 2021 Read More
A Marlborough expression of this varietal from Northern Spain. A richness and depth on the nose – pineapple, melon and white peach, as well as few flavours familiar to drinkers …
Wairau River Reserve Albarino 2023 Read More
From One Tree Hill in South Australia – a winner of a Double Gold at the 2023 NZIWS competition. An inkily dark crimson/black in the glass. Quite toasty, with vanilla, …
Tenafeate Creek Wines Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2022 Read More
A wine from Alexandra in Central Otago – a Double Gold at the NZIWS in 2023. A savoury style with mushroom, thyme, pepper and mocha sitting with dark cherry, cranberry …
Three Miners ‘Warden’s Court’ Pinot Noir 2021 Read More
The first release of this wine since 2018 – back from the Swamp! And a winner of another Gold Medal at NZIWS this year (it has won over 20 Gold …
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 2 ‘Swamp Block’ Sauvignon Blanc 2023 Read More
100% Malbec wines from New Zealand can be hard to find – this one is from the Gimblett Gravels in Hawke’s Bay – winner of a Gold Medal at the …
St Clair ‘James Sinclair’ Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2021 Read More
The Trophy for Champion Wine of the Show at this year’s New Zealand International Wine Show was awarded to Brancott Letter Series ‘O’ Chardonnay 2022. I judged a couple of …
Tasting the Champion – Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘O’ Chardonnay 2022 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay wine that I first admired when I moved to live in New Zealand twenty years ago. This version is from the fabled 2020 vintage, produced from Gimblett …
Mission Estate Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 Read More