A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A dessert wine, from botrytis-affected, late harvest Sauvignon Blanc grapes, grown in the Wairau Valley, Marlborough. Plenty of years of bottle age. Brilliant golden glow in the glass, with enticing …
Isabel Estate Noble Sauvage 2008 Read More
From the Seaview vineyard in Awatere, Marlborough. A wine I discussed at length with the winemaker, Natalie Christensen – tasted as a barrel sample in May this year on a …
Yealands Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More
A barrel-fermented Chardonnay, from Hawke’s Bay. A bright, pale straw colour in the glass, perfumed with grapefruit, brioche, citrus peel, vanilla, nectarine and blanched almond on the nose. Dry, vibrant, …
De la Terre Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2020 Read More
A new wine in the Single Vineyard range from Villa Maria – a Pinot Noir rosé from the BioGro-certified organic Attorney vineyard in the Southern Valleys sub-region of Marlborough. A …
Villa Maria ‘The Attorney’ Rosé 2020 Read More
From Alexandra fruit, this Central Otago Pinot Noir shows a real sense of place – shared with a couple of colleagues, we all agreed this was one of those ‘quintessential …
Three Miners ‘Warden’s Court’ Pinot Noir 2020 Read More
From Marlborough fruit – a light straw colour in the glass, with a vibrantly aromatic nose. Perfumed with mandarin, lime zest, nectarine, ginger and honeysuckle floral notes. Off-dry and light-medium …
Westbrook Riesling 2014 Read More
One of the pioneers of what I call the ‘modern Chardonnay’ style. This current release tasted with Duncan McTavish at the winery, now showing a desire for far more ‘green’ …
Man O’ War ‘Valhalla’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More
A Marlborough wine, from Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir. Pale and delicate pink in the glass, brimming with delicious aromatics of raspberry, redcurrant and white peach on the nose. Dry, …
Yealands Reserve Rosé 2020 Read More
The top wine from Destiny Bay, in a ‘left bank’ style, with Cabernet Sauvignon (75%) leading the way. This sets the tone, adding graphite pencil-shaving notes alongside the blackcurrant, acacia, …
Destiny Bay Magna Praemia 2019 Read More
Tasted with David Evans Gander on a recent visit to Passage Rock – their top six barrels get blended together into this unique marriage of Syrah, Montepulciano, Cabernet Franc, Petit …
Passage Rock Magnus 2019 Read More