Reviews

From the oldest blocks of Riesling at Heaphy, in Moutere – this is the 50th vintage. A translucent lemon-green colour in the glass. A bouquet of lime, green apple, white …

Heaphy Old Vine Riesling 2023 Read More

A Pinot Gris from grapes grown in Grovetown, in the Lower Wairau Valley of Marlborough. A pale straw colour in the glass. Scented with pear, nectarine, apple pie, almond, white …

Huia Pinot Gris 2024 Read More

From a relatively new winery (and label) established in the Upper Moutere region of Tasman in 2015. The palest silvery green, with just a touch of gold, in the glass. …

Abel Tasman Chardonnay 2021 Read More

An Albariño from the Bridge Pa Triangle sub-region of Hawke’s Bay – and winner of the Trophy for Champion ‘Other White Wine Varieties’ at the New Zealand International Wine Show …

Sileni Advocate Grand Reserve Albariño 2024 Read More

Made from hand-picked Pinot Noir grown at the biodynamic Churton vineyard in Marlborough. It sits at the crossroads of rosé and light red wines – a coppery, light garnet red …

A Thousand Gods Love Letters 2023 Read More

Regular readers will know what a treat it is for me when I get a mystery mixed box from the wine-subscription service www.Laithwaites.co.nz. I never know in advance what’s coming, and …

An early-Autumn box from Laithwaites – part 1 Read More

Winemaker and owner Simon Waghorn has been using Chardonnay fruit from the Wrekin vineyard in the Southern Valleys sub-region of Marlborough for over a decade. A bright golden straw colour …

Astrolabe Wrekin Chardonnay 2020 Read More

A wine from a small family producer in Matakana, north of Auckland – the Yakutin family originally from Kazakhstan – a country with a history of wine going back over …

Yakutin Black Walnut Chardonnay 2019 Read More

A wine from Marlborough – handpicked fruit from a couple of Riesling blocks on the Framingham home estate. Powerfully perfumed, with green aromas dominating the nose – lime cordial, jalapeno, …

Framingham F-series Riesling Kabinett 2024 Read More