How pretty is this wine? Pink gold and gorgeous in the glass, it’s perfumed with yellow plum and yellow rose aromas which lead to an incredibly rich, mouthwateringly fruity strawberry and raspberry concentration in the mouth. The Aitken’s Folly family have been on my radar for a while, and I’m thrilled to be able to … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Matahiwi Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2016 $19.99
I love the gorgeous hint of rose gold colour that pings from the glass as you pour it, and the super-tangy, nashi and nectarine notes that romp up your nostrils gives it extra ‘drink me now!’ factor. Here’s a gris with bold, crunchy apple characters and a rich, ripe, unashamedly fruity personality. Jane Cooper and … Read More
Toi Toi Brookdale Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 $22.75
The Brookdale vineyard is seriously stony. Any rainwater just drains directly through to the water table below, giving the grapes just a scrap of moisture to survive on. But being on the edge of starving is exactly what makes a pinot gris vine produce intense pear drop, quince and nashi niceness on the nose and … Read More
Whyte Estate Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009 $20.00
This is such a rare treat, to be able to sip great quality gewurztraminer which has had almost 8 years to develop into a luxurious, exotically scented example. You’ll see it’s 14.5% alcohol, which is pretty high for this variety, yet age has softened it and allowed it to merge into a lychee, toffee apple … Read More
Te Hera Ocean Child Martinborough Riesling 2016 $20.00
If your tastebuds were doing a beam routine, the impact of granny smith apple and fresh-cut Winter Cole pears, combined with cheek-prickling acidity and a splash of honeysuckle, will give them the power to take a flying scissor leap and round off towards a somersault dismount. At just 11.5% alcohol, you know it’s going to … Read More
Konrad Single Vineyard Marlborough Dry Riesling 2015 $18.90
Far out, if you’re looking for dry riesling with snappy, toe-curling acidity, racy lime-laden layers and a distinct, kero-like character, then you’re opening the right bottle. Konrad Wines is fully owned by the Hengstler family, Konrad, Sigrun and their two sons, Conrad and Carlo who emigrated to New Zealand from Germany via a short, 20 … Read More
Bell Bird Bay Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $23.00
Need a little nougat near your nostrils? This creamy, nutty, butter-rubbed chardonnay will give you all that and flesh everything out with ripe nectarine, grapefruit and hints of spice. Grown in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa Triangle district, it’s a blend of three distinct chardonnay clones, one exotically named ‘mendoza’ the others with the less magical … Read More
Bushmere Estate Classic Gisborne Chardonnay 2015 $25.00
Ahoy there, fans of East Coast awesomeness! This is classic Gisborne in a glass right here and if you’ve been lamenting the loss of that old-school style then fret no more because David and Shona Egan have come to the rescue. I love the edge of buttery pastry, toasty notes that cloak the nectarine, peach … Read More
Cypress Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $22.00
Gus and Mel Lawson have been involved in winegrowing in Hawke’s Bay for 21 years, meaning they’ve got experience in spades when it comes to producing darn decent chardonnay like this. I love the soft, grapefruity, ever-so-faintly toasty notes on the nose and palate, and the ripe, peachy characters on the finish. A glass of … Read More
Coal Pit Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $22.95
Woah! Here’s a total lime overload and I love it! Central Otago has its own signature when it comes to sauvignon blanc and that’s proudly showing off intense citrus, gooseberry, green apple and passionfruit in a squint-factor-fifty flavour sensation. Lean, clean and boasting hints of powdery florals on the finish – it’s a wine that’ll … Read More