A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
The excellent 2019 harvest in Hawke’s Bay produced top quality fruit from the Riverview vineyard – one of our top vineyards with a rich history of Chardonnays being created over …
Mills Reef ‘Elspeth’ Chardonnay 2019 Read More
Finishing up my exploits in Havelock North, and then travelling towards Wairarapa, it’s an easy decision to call in at Lime Rock to meet Central Hawke’s Bay pioneers Rodger Tynan …
Lime Rock: Central Hawke’s Bay pioneers Read More
Gleaming bright and golden in the glass, with a flamboyant nose of pineapple, cashew, passionfruit, straw, baked apple strudel and jasmine. A few years (probably a few too many) in …
CJ Pask ‘Roys Hill’ Chardonnay 2011 Read More
It is now 40 years since Clive Paton, the founder of Ata Rangi, bought 5 hectares of bare land in the village of Martinborough with the idea to create a …
Winemaker series: Helen Masters Read More
A blend of Pinot Noir (held on skins for 6 hours) and Pinot Gris. A delightful pale pink salmon colour. Medium-light bodied and dry (although it does have around 5 …
Mount Riley ‘The Bonnie’ Pinot Rosé 2020 Read More
Although The ‘Tere’ is a top tier ‘icon’ from Askerne – the Estate Syrah trumped this particular wine for me at the visit to the Cellar Door in December, so …
Askerne The ‘Tere’ Syrah 2019 Read More
From the Paritua vineyard in Bridge Pa, this power-packed “Hawke’s Bay” blend/red is Merlot dominant with a balance of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Although the minor partner in this …
Paritua ‘Red’ 2018 Read More
Towards the end of last year I picked up a couple of Hawke’s Bay wines simply because the label caught my eye. These were a pair of bottles from Zaria …
Winemaker series: Bryce Edmonds Read More
From the Soler vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, using Merlot grapes to create this Biogro-certified organic wine. The perfect rosé colour (for me) – a bright salmon pink with a touch …
Villa Maria Earth Garden Rosé 2020 Read More
From the ‘Tiger’ and ‘Viper’ vineyards, comes this Central Otago Chardonnay. Classic, elegant aromas of lemon, croissant, chamomile and spring flowers. Wider on the medium-bodied palate, with ripe stonefruit, red …
Chard Farm ‘Judge & Jury’ Chardonnay 2018 Read More