Stonecroft Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2018 $60 Spots in the internationally-recognised 2018 Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection aren’t awarded for participating. Oh no. With only 12 places available for dozens of wines submitted by dozens of producers, it’s nail-biting stuff. Add 5 star ratings, Super Classic status from Michael Cooper, and high-90’s points from famous … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Abbey Estate Wild Fermented Bridge Pa Chardonnay 2019
Abbey Estate Wild Fermented Bridge Pa Chardonnay 2019 $30 Yum Yum Yumminny! This is a really interesting, multi-layered lovely from Dermot and his team at Abbey Estate in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District. Bursting with white nectarine, apricot, grapefruit pith, dried herb and nutty, toasty, caramelised characters in the mid-palate, it carries a … Read More
Wairiki The Matriarch Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Wairiki The Matriarch Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $29 A rather sexy chardonnay from possibly the newest and tiniest winery you’ve never heard of. Scented with creme caramel, soft peach, almond and grapefruit pith, the palate is fresh, soothing and edged with citrus. Grown high on the ancient, free-draining Ngaruroro River terraces, west of Hastings, this … Read More
Ash Ridge Ariel Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc 2018
Ash Ridge Ariel Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc 2018 $45 This classy Blanc de Blanc (100% Chardonnay), was crafted in the traditional vintage Champagne method where the initial base wine was barrel fermented and left on lees for 1 year before being bottled and re-fermented to build its ultra-fine mousse (bubbles), and then left again … Read More
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $32 There were rumblings and rumours and all manner of murmurs on the grapevine, that 2018 would be a pretty yowza year for cabernet sauvignon in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa sub-region. I’m pleased to report the gossip was true and correct. This Lauren Swift-crafted cabernet is … Read More
Ash Ridge Alti Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020
Ash Ridge Alti Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 $29 There’s very little of this bony-dry, funky, mineral-heavy Pinot Gris left, so if you’re a fan of natural, skinsy, quartzy styles then this needs to be on your shopping list. Alti in that its made in an alternative style to conventional Pinot Gris and it’ll definitely … Read More
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 $32 Very, very toasty with hints of sawdust and spice: the caramelised characters in this Lauren Swift-crafted wine will definitely appeal to those who love old-school roastiness and nutty, creamy layers in their chardonnay. That was a long sentence — almost as long as the finish on this … Read More
Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2005
Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2005 $na I tasted this wine 16 years after harvest, in 2021 and I’ve got to say it was a revelation. With the acidity still pinging in this ultra-golden, teenage sensation, the spices are zooming along the vanilla, nutmeg and apple strudel spectrum and it’s developing some delicious, nutty … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $25 Just 90 dozen bottles were produced of this wine. To give you an idea of scale, that’s less than two pallets. For the whole country. And overseas markets. So you snooze, you lose, I’m afraid. It’s a lush, complex, dried herb and spice-saturated style edged with baked berries, … Read More
Ant Mackenzie Wines Toño Hawke’s Bay Rosado 2020
Ant Mackenzie Wines Toño Hawke’s Bay Rosado 2020 $19.99 How saucy is the rose-gold hue of this rosado right? Blended from grapes grown in the Havelock North hills then fashioned into the bottle in a Spanish style by Ant Mackenzie, it’s a kneeslappingly dry, pink peppercorn and white strawberry-soaked thing that you should definitely have … Read More