A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A rare wine from Martinborough, only made in exceptional years – and not often – I can only recall two other occasions I might have tasted this wine, from a …
Martinborough Vineyard ‘Marie Zelie’ Reserve Pinot Noir 2006 Read More
A single vineyard wine from the Taylors Pass vineyard in the Awatere Valley, Marlborough. A striking deep, medium-gold colour in the glass. Beautifully aromatic, rich and spicy without any hint …
Villa Maria Taylors Pass Chardonnay 2014 Read More
An updated review from me on this New Zealand sparkling wine, from their organic, biodynamically-certified estate vineyard in Bendigo, Central Otago, made in the ‘Méthode Traditionelle’ – a blend of …
Quartz Reef Méthode Traditionelle Brut NV Read More
A wine from their Bendigo vineyard, in Central Otago. Hand-picked, and a quarter of the blend fermented in older barrels. A vibrant lemon-green colour, with a deliciously appealing perfume. Varietally …
Misha’s Vineyard ‘Dress Circle’ Pinot Gris 2021 Read More
A Matakana wine, from a relatively hard-to-find hybrid grape varietal – more common northwards from northern Auckland. A lusty purple colour in the glass, and showing similarly dark and vibrant …
Hyperion ‘The Liberator’ Chambourcin 2019 Read More
A well-awarded wine over the years, and in prime condition after a few years in the cellar. A nip of reductivity shows in a flinty, struck-match note on the nose, …
Villa Maria Marlborough Reserve Chardonnay 2017 Read More
A Pinot from the Waipara Valley in North Canterbury, opened after nearly a decade in bottle. Showing some signs of age in colour – a terracotta edge to the carmine …
Greystone Pinot Noir 2012 Read More
A Méthode Marlborough wine, created from 100% Pinot Noir grapes. It is a vibrant pale salmon pink colour in the glass with a fine, silken mousse of bubbles. Beautifully aromatic, …
No.1 Rosé Méthode Traditionelle Read More
Hand-picked Cabernet Franc and Merlot (equal parts) go into this rosé from the Waikato label that has turned a few heads with excellent wines recently. A perfect light salmon pink …
Takapoto Estate ‘Crossing Point’ Rosé 2022 Read More
A wine from the Wairarapa region, from a label best known for their excellent Pinot Noir, but who do make a super range of both white and red (and rosé) …
Schubert Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More