Every one’s a winner
At our recent Top 10 Tasting of New Zealand Chardonnay, it was mooted from one of the group that I split the tasting into separate classes. I already decided to …
Every one’s a winner Read MoreMonth: August 2022
Valli Waitaki Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
From North Otago – a wine that Grant Taylor describes as ‘our Chardonnay is my favourite Valli’. A pale green-straw yellow in the glass; with complex, youthful aromas of lemon …
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On Giants Shoulders ‘The Collaborator’ Pinot Noir 2018
From the annual collaboration project – this vintage in 2018 with Ben McNab making the wine with Gabrielle and Braden Crosby of OGS as vignerons. Noticeably light in colour – …
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Esk Valley Chenin Blanc 2021
A single vineyard white, from the excellent Two Terraces vineyard in Mangatahi – good to see Gordon Russell continuing with this variety, a signature wine of his. Palest lemon-green in …
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Duncan Savage ‘Follow the Line’ 2016
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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B.wine Pinot Gris 2021
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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On Chardonnay
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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Trinity Hill – Homage ‘19 and Thomson’s Block ‘20 Syrahs
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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Takapoto Estate Crossing Point ‘The Red’ 2018
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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Trinity Hill ‘Homage’ 2019 launch & tasting
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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