A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A much-awarded chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay which has won a huge pile of awards over the years, and was definitely at the forefront of what could be called the ‘modern’ …
Church Road Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2019 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay wine – from the St John estate vineyard in Bridge Pa. Deep ruby colour in the glass, with redcurrant, smoky spices, orange rind, fig, pepper and violet …
Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Syrah 2017 Read More
Part of the Villa Maria Single Vineyard collection of wines. From a coastal block in the Awatere valley, Marlborough. Bright and aromatic on the nose, with a mineral, saline note …
Villa Maria Single Vineyard ‘Seaspray’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More
A single vineyard rosé – made from Marlborough Pinot Noir, kept on skins just a few hours to produce this pale salmon pink colour in the glass. Perfumed with raspberry, …
St Clair Pioneer Block Rosé 2021 Read More
A chance to delve into the expert winemaking of Daniel Le Brun at No.1 Family Estate – this box set of two wines coming from the same source. The Reserve …
Two from One – No.1 Family Estate Read More
A wine that just keeps winning – receiving the Trophy for Champion Syrah at both the NZIWS and the Royal Easter Show. Beautifully aromatic, with black doris plum, bramble, white …
Church Road McDonald Series Syrah 2019 Read More
From Cairnmuir Road in Bannockburn. Pale lemon-green in the glass, with an elegant nose fragranced with succulent mandarin, blanched almond, lime, apple, ginger and elderflower. Zesty acidity is focussed, intense, …
Ceres ‘Black Rabbit’ Riesling 2017 Read More
From the exceptional Two Terraces vineyard in Mangatahi, Hawke’s Bay, comes a hard-to-find Chenin Blanc. Described as ‘artisanal wine’ on their website, I’d definitely say this leans in the ‘natural’ …
Amoise Chenin Blanc 2020 Read More
A Hawke’s Bay wine, from the excellent but COVID-hit vintage. An aromatic nose of peach, grapefruit, apple, lemon peel, apricot and baking spice. Medium bodied, with integrated acidity and oak …
Haha Chardonnay 2020 Read More
From hillside vineyards across the Estate, comes this well-regarded Bordeaux-style blend of (this year) two-thirds Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with Petit Verdot and Cabernet Sauvignon in supporting roles. Inkily ruby-black …
Man O’ War ‘Ironclad’ 2018 Read More