A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
From the most southerly part of the Marlborough region – its unique position makes the vineyard ‘Marlborough’s first valley for budburst, but fog and cool breezes make it the last …
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Pinot Gris 2022 Read More
Using Cabernet Sauvignon fruit from the Cornerstone Vineyard, in Gimblett Gravels area of Hawke’s Bay. The fruit de-stemmed and put into an amphora vessel. Plunged and then sealed up for …
Chateau Garage Amphora Cabernet Sauvignon 2023 Read More
Back in 2017, The Brajkovich family behind the excellent Kumeu river label acquired their first major vineyard site outside of Kumeu. Rays Road, in Hawke’s Bay had been created by …
Is it time for a closer look at Rays Road? Read More
A low-intervention winemaking style of Riesling using organic fruit from the Nelson region. A bright lemon-green colour in the glass. Delicately aromatic – this is no blockbuster – with lime, …
Unkel Juno Riesling 2024 Read More
Named after the Irish family who bought the estate in 1771, the Château was purchased by Baron Edmond de Rothschild in 1973. A blend of 70% Merlot and 30% Cabernet …
Château Clarke 2018 Read More
A Chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay. Predominantly hand-harvested. 85% whole bunch with fermentation in French oak puncheons for 10 months, of which 10% was new. Sealed under screw cap. A pale, …
Craggy Range ‘Kidnappers Vineyard’ Chardonnay 2018 Read More
The top-tier Sauvignon Blanc from Giesen Wines in Marlborough. The producer labels it as ‘Bold, Complex and Unconventional – a Mark of the man’ – it’s named after the Giesen …
Giesen ‘The August’ Sauvignon Blanc 2021 Read More
My trip down to Hawke’s Bay to have a look at the 2026 harvest was well-timed. Tony Bish went on record to say that “Vintage 2026 is already breaking records. …
Tony Bish – the latest releases Read More
A red ‘Bordeaux Blend’ from handpicked fruit sourced from 13 year old vines in the Gimblett Gravels of Hawke’s Bay. The blend is Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 35% and Cabernet …
Sacred Hill Helmsman 2013 Read More
A relatively rare variety in New Zealand that is perhaps best known from the French appellation of Jurançon. Forrest and Churton have it in their Marlborough vineyards as well as …
Spade Oak ‘Vigneron’ Petit Manseng 2016 Read More