Church Road ‘1’ Syrah 2021
I first tasted this new release Hawke’s Bay Syrah from the Redstone Vineyard at a dinner at Somm alongside a sensational Confit duck leg, with parisian gnocchi, butternut, prunes and …
Church Road ‘1’ Syrah 2021 Read MoreMonth: August 2023
Heron’s Flight Rosato 2022
From one of Auckland’s local Italian specialists, using Dolcetto (a Piedmonte varietal) and Sangiovese (from Tuscany) to make a Rosato style of Rosé. A splendid colour – vibrantly jewel-like with …
Heron’s Flight Rosato 2022 Read More
Church Road ‘1’ Chardonnay 2022
The top Chardonnay from Church Road for 2022 – there isn’t a ‘Tom’ Chardonnay. A single vineyard wine, from the Tuki Tuki Vineyard – one of their latest-ripening sites. In …
Church Road ‘1’ Chardonnay 2022 Read More
A visit to Gillman Estate, Matakana
A trip up to Matakana earlier in the year gave me a chance to pop in and see Toby Gillman at his family vineyard. The year has been a write-off …
A visit to Gillman Estate, Matakana Read More
Esk Valley Syrah 2021
A Hawke’s Bay Syrah from the ‘Artisanal’ range of Esk Valley wines. A deep garnet red colour in the glass, with an aroma led by boysenberry, blackcurrant and red plum, …
Esk Valley Syrah 2021 Read More
Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir 2022
A single vineyard Pinot Noir from Terra Sancta’s 300m above sea-level Mysterious Diggings vineyard in Bannockburn. A translucent shade of garnet in the glass, with bright and perky aromatics of …
Terra Sancta Mysterious Diggings Pinot Noir 2022 Read More
Clos Marguerite Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé 2019
From the company’s family-owned and run vineyard high up the Awatere Valley. Just a light coppery shade of pink in the glass, with a soft mousse of bubbles. The perfume …
Clos Marguerite Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé 2019 Read More
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2006
Labelled ‘Grand Cru Classé de Graves’, this white wine – 75% Sauvignon Blanc and 25% Sémillon – from Pessac-Léognan is considered one of the world’s greatest white wines. A light …
Domaine de Chevalier Blanc 2006 Read More
A box of discovery from laithwaites.co.nz
Although this is about the eighth box of wines that I’ve received from Laithwaites – the thrill of opening it up and pulling out the bottles to see what’s inside …
A box of discovery from laithwaites.co.nz Read More
Whitehaven Chardonnay 2022
A pale golden, lime green colour in the glass. An elegant, under-stated perfume with good complexity. Some flinty, struck-match smokiness overlays lemon, white fig, melon, grapefruit, almond, nougat and tarragon …
Whitehaven Chardonnay 2022 Read More