Hunter’s Kāho Roa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $23.90 (4.5 stars)
Hunter’s Kāho Roa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $23.90 Sourced from the clay-rich soils of their Omaka vineyard, the fruit for this sauvignon was crushed and the cloudy, high-solids juice poured directly into old French oak puncheons for a wild yeast (spontaneous) fermentation. The wine was then aged on its lees for 6 months before bottling, […]
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago ‘Shady Lady’ Rosé 2018
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago ‘Shady Lady’ Rosé 2018 $23 While I’m not a fan of the cartoony labels on the Lazy Dog wines, the actual wines inside the bottle are pretty darn stylish. This rosé is shiny new and showing hints of creaming soda, raspberry, a nudge of nougat and some dried herbs […]
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago Chenin Blanc 2017
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago Chenin Blanc 2017 $23 Crafted by winemaker Jeff Sinnott from Diana and Dean Harker from chenin blanc vines they’ve been growing since 2008. This is a dry, elegant style, packed to the eyeballs with lime and green apple, a hint (just a skerrick) of honeysuckle and loads and loads […]
Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2018 $22.90 (4.5 stars)
I am head over heels with this wine. Not because I naturally have the hand-eye coordination of a one legged pirate with glaucoma and a bad case of OOS, but because the exotic, pear strudel and apple pie richness of this gris has seriously got me in its grip. White peach, soft spices and a […]
Cloud Break California Chardonnay 2017 $23 (4 stars)
Here’s a barrel-fermented chardonnay that doesn’t feel like you’re licking a plank. Created from fruit sourced from different sites across Clarksburg, Lodi and Madera. The toastiness is there, yet it swings toward the creamy, buttery style while edged with white peach, hints of grapefruit, nutty nougat notes and caramelised characters. Made by Mark Rasmussen and […]
Domaine de Pennautier Cité de Carcassonne Rosé 2016 $24.50 (4 stars)
So pale and pretty, like the colour of a ballet shoe, this rosé is made from cinsault, grenache, syrah and merlot. Pink peppercorn and vanilla and smoke make this an incredibly complex, super-dry, provençal-style rosé that shows a hint of dried herbs and crushed quartz. Racy and robust. www.poshslosh.co.nz
I Am George Langhorne Creek Shiraz 2016 $22 (4 stars)
George Wyndham is considered the founding father of shiraz in Australia, planting the grape in 1830. Winemaker Steve Meyer wanted to create a wine that was accessible to anyone, but captured the spirit of George – and here it is. Bursting with blackcurrant, plum and all manner of sweet, red fruits, it’s a warming, cuddly […]
Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $22
You’ve heard the saying “You do the Mahi, you get the treats”, it’s totally true with wine too. Meaning ‘work’ in Maori, Mahi’s winemaker Brian Bicknell and his team battled through two cyclones during the season, yet succeeded in crafting this passionfruit, lemongrass and sweetpea-soaked stunner. A tiny 7% splash of barrel ferment adds complexity […]
Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Franschhoek Viognier Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc 2015 $22 (4 stars)
This is one of my go to wines of the moment and this blend of 48% viognier 41% Chenin Blanc and 11% grenache blanc should be on your shopping list too. Layers of white peach, apple, hints of citrus oil and jasmine and a mash-up of minerality on the finish make it a complex, juicy, […]
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $21.99 (4 stars)
The team at Richmond Plains produced New Zealand’s first vegan-friendly sauvignon blanc from fully-certified organic and biodynamic grapes years ago, and this new vintage could be their best one yet. Lemongrassy, lighty-structured and showing leafy, herbaceous notes alongside a hint of feijoa that stitches it all together. It’s a ripe, bouncy, citrus-stacked sauvignon blanc that […]
