A collection of writing about New Zealand Wine
I was a Senior Judge at the NZIWS held in Albany last week. A very well-run, organised and judged show. Happy to see the top results are out – and …
New Zealand International Wine Show 2025 – the top awards Read More
Having recently done the Top 10 Tasting of Syrah, including a ‘Top 10 over 10’ which has a 2013 vintage of this wine… so super-interesting to try another (and 2014 …
Paritua Syrah 2014 Read More
‘Velvet’ is Mudbrick Estate on Waiheke Island’s top tier red wine. For this vintage, it has renamed ‘Robyn’s Velvet’ in honour of Robyn Skelton, the co-founder of Mudbrick, who died …
Mudbrick Robyn’s Velvet 2024 Read More
A rosé made from Central Otago Pinot Noir. Quite a bright and darker tone of pink than I’m seeing whilst judging rosé lately – a deep copper orangey-pink colour here. …
Rockburn ‘Stolen Kiss’ Rosé 2025 Read More
From one of the oldest vineyards in Gibbston, Central Otago. A dark purple colour in the glass. The perfume has a complex blend of floral – lilac and rose petal; …
Takapoto Estate Single Vineyard Gibbston Pinot Noir 2019 Read More
A wine that received a 100/100 score from John Schreiner – a well-respected Canadian wine critic. It comes from the Jagged Rock vineyard in the Okanagan Valley. A pale straw …
CheckMate Little Pawn Chardonnay 2022 Read More
Grown on clay soils in the Upper Moutere in Tasman. A translucent, steely, lemon-green colour in the glass. The bouquet is quite floral, with honeysuckle and lemon blossom, over citrus, …
Luta ‘Vale’ Chenin Blanc 2022 Read More
Chardonnay from the famously fastidious Madame Lalou Bize-Leroy – labelled Bourgogne but anywhere else this would be Grand Cru quality. The price reflects this. A pale straw-green colour in the …
Maison Leroy Bourgogne Blanc 2018 Read More
A single vineyard Chardonnay from the Wallops vineyard in Marlborough – the homestead block that was originally planted by Allan and Catherine as contract growers for neighbouring winery, Cloudy Bay …
Allan Scott Marlborough Chardonnay 2024 Read More
A wine from the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. A pale coral pink colour in the glass. Juicily aromatic, with cherry, raspberry, redcurrant and some citrus notes of orange and …
Rocha Terrace Single Estate Rosé 2025 Read More