Matahiwi Holly ‘South Series’ Chardonnay 2019
From fruit at the Wairarapa home estate vineyard, I first tasted this at the winery last summer. A light golden yellow, some green towards the edges. Ripe and opulent on …
Read MoreMonth: August 2021
Askerne Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015
Classic Bordeaux varietals – the blend is half Merlot, then a quarter Cabernet Sauvignon, the others offering up a share of the rest. The Cabernet shows the way, with bold …
Read More
Te Kairanga Chardonnay 2018
Medium golden yellow in the glass, with aromas of peach, roasted almond, pink apple, caramel and orange blossom. Medium bodied with a bright acidity and a little tart fruit tannin. …
Read More
Gibbston Valley Glenlee Pinot Noir 2016
A single vineyard wine from Gibbston Valley, from an excellent vintage for the sub-region. Intensely perfumed with a distinctive rose petal lift alongside ripe cherry, crushed thyme, redcurrant and rosehip …
Read More
NZ Winegrowers Inc. Annual Report ’21
The annual report from NZ Winegrowers is out now – take a look on www.nzwine.com/media/20163/nzw_annualreport_2021_final_web_lr.pdf In a difficult 2021, it’s the first year in a decade that wine exports are …
Read More
Tony Bish ‘Zen’ Chardonnay 2018
A Hawke’s Bay wine – made in the Taransaud French oak ‘Ovum’ egg-shaped vessel in the Urban Winery in Napier, from Skeetfield vineyard fruit. A pale straw yellow in the …
Read More
Winemaker series: Huw Kinch
I’m on my second day in North Canterbury, visiting a few of the vineyards in the area, and today is an opportunity to drop into Pyramid Valley over at Waikari. …
Read More
Helio Pinot Noir 2020
From Martinborough fruit, and an instant hit in the WineFolio Top 10 Tasting of New Zealand Pinot Noir in July, coming in as the highest-rated 2020 wine, and an eye-opening …
Read More
Johner Noble Sauvignon Blanc 2018
One of three (currently) dessert wines produced by this excellent Gladstone Estate – this one the least sweet of the trio with 116g/l residual sugar. An effusive nose with lemon …
Read More
The Landing ‘Boathouse’ Pinot Gris 2020
From The Landing vineyard on the Purerua peninsula in the Bay of Islands, this Pinot Gris is a bright, light lemon-yellow in the glass. Classic varietal aromas of pear, pink …
Read More