A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
A ‘right-bank’ style blend of Merlot, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from Hawke’s Bay, and a great vintage. A dark purple-tinged ruby in the glass. Youthful and energetic on …
Clearview Estate ‘Enigma’ 2020 Read More
An organic wine from Alsace – the home of aromatic whites. Doesn’t disappoint on the nose, with a lifted, expressive perfume of mandarin, honey, fig, acacia and floral notes of …
Albert Mann Gewürztraminer 2018 Read More
Do you tend to think of a glass as half full, or half empty? The answer to that might give an indication of your feelings towards half-bottles of wine. At …
Hurray for half bottles Read More
The Block 17 ‘Plateau’ has most of its fruit sourced from a single vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, and is typically a blend of two thirds Cabernet Sauvignon, …
St Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Cabernet Merlot – across vintages Read More
From Marlborough, in a low-yielding but excellent quality year. A brilliant, very pale lemon-green yellow in the glass. Bold but not too upfront on the nose – with lemongrass, white …
Soho ‘Stella’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More
One of a range of rosé from Terra Sancta based on Felton Rd in Bannockburn – I’ve not stumbled upon this particular one very often. I also find that keeping …
Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Rosé 2019 Read More
A Bordeaux blend wine from the Bridge Pa sub-region of Hawke’s Bay, made by Paritua. A vibrant claret colour and with some delicacy on the nose. A bit of forest-floor …
Stone Paddock Scarlet 2018 Read More
A red wine from Basilicata, Southern Italy. Dark claret ruby in the glass, with bold aromatics flowing onto the nose of cherry, vanilla, date, raspberry and date. Softer acidity and …
Tre Stelle Aglianico del Vulture 2018 Read More
An excellent vintage, producing a wine of excellent aromatics – leaping from the glass. Bright, vivid ruby-magenta in the glass. Pretty and floral, with violets and cherry blossom, then notes …
Passage Rock Syrah 2019 Read More
A single vineyard Chardonnay from the Escarpment vineyard on Te Muna Road in Martinborough. A medium straw yellow in the glass – showing a little colour from bottle age. The …
Escarpment ‘Kupe’ Chardonnay 2012 Read More