Stonyridge Larose 2010
At the time, the 2010 vintage was described as the greatest vintage ever on Waiheke Island – both in terms of its abundance, but also the power and concentration. This …
Stonyridge Larose 2010 Read MoreMonth: August 2026
The Tasting Table – August 2026
The August edition of The Tasting Table was postponed by a week due to clashes in a busy wine events schedule in Auckland. Even then, it still manages to be …
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Spy Valley ‘Y Block’ Sauvignon Blanc 2024
A wine that you might typically only get to taste at the Spy Valley Cellar Door in the Waihopai Valley in Marlborough. I got to try it at a presentation …
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An evening with Gordon Russell
Gordon Russell spent over 30 years as the head winemaker at Hawke’s Bay’s Esk Valley winery, taking the helm in 1993 after joining as a cellar hand and assistant winemaker. …
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Smith & Sheth CRU Cantera 2019
From a warm, dry vintage. The handpicked fruit (42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Tempranillo, 24% Cabernet Franc) was sourced from established vineyards in the stony river bed soils of the Gimblett …
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Helio Chardonnay 2025
The latest vintage of a Hawke’s Bay wine that I signed up to receive ‘en primeur’ on its first release and have been reviewing, and drinking every year since. This …
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Sam Harrop ‘Onetangi’ Chardonnay 2019
This is the first vintage of Onetangi Chardonnay from the Jomara Vineyard, situated in Waiheke’s Onetangi Valley. The fruit is from a chardonnay clone from Dijon (B95). In terms of …
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Maude ‘Mount Maude’ Pinot Noir 2000
From the vineyard planted by the Wilson family in 1994 in Maungawera Valley, Wanaka. This is the second of the bottles that I had put away, but decided to drink …
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Winemaker series: Donald Van Der Westhuizen
The Moko Hills label is one that first crossed my path when I was working in Vic Road Wine Bar and Cellar, and many reps and winemakers would visit, selling …
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Smith & Sheth CRU Heretaunga Cabernet Franc 2019
Made with fruit from 25+ year old vines from the Howell Vineyard in the Bridge Pa sub-region of Hawke’s Bay, which has a silty, clay soil over free draining red …
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