A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
From 40-year-old Cinsault bush vines, with a touch of Syrah, from Darling, South Africa. Wonderfully perfumed, with cranberry, cherry, rose petal, redcurrant, white pepper, cassia and violet florals. The palate …
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From a limestone-soiled hillside vineyard in Wairarapa – whole bunch pressed and aged in old oak. Varietally pure aromatics of crisp, ripe pear, satsuma peel, red apple, jasmine, lychee and …
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After the big Top 10 Tasting a couple of weeks ago, I was asked a few times for my thoughts on where Chardonnay was sitting in New Zealand now. Was …
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From the launch of these wines mid-week, to reviewing them tonight, the difference and yet family resemblance has been on my mind. The Thomson’s Block is a serious contender although …
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Unusually, a wine made from fruit grown in Waikato, at the Estate vineyards by Lake Karapiro. A classic example of Cabernet Franc, with the signature ‘franc funk’ evident on the …
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A welcome mid-week mid-winter event, worth venturing into the depths of Mt Eden for. One of the nation’s iconic wines – a New Zealand ‘Grange’ as my travelling companion suggests. …
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One of those Central Otago Pinots that I tend to introduce as ‘quintessential Central Pinot’ – one that you’d give to someone who’d never tasted a Pinot Noir from this …
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A rich expression, with delicious aromatics on the nose – apricot, pear, lychee, mandarin peel, macademia nut and a lemon blossom floral lift. Brimming with golden stonefruit, marmalade and pink …
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I decided to take this Top 10 Tasting on the road this time, after the success of our away fixture doing the ‘Other Whites’ across town at Nigel’s Wine Cave. …
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A chardonnay from a higher altitude vineyard in the northern section of St. Aubin. Showing aromas of lemon peel, sourdough crumb, chestnut, geranium, nashi pear and citrus blossom. The palate …
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