I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection. Twelve wines whittled down from dozens submitted that were judged by Cameron Douglas MS to reflect the absolute finest examples created from the 2020 vintage from the Hawke’s Bay region. I love that there’s a healthy sub-regional spread in terms of where they were grown and … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 $80 Golden in the glass and scented with smoky French oak, scorched cashew and brazil nut notes, grilled grapefruit and hints of baked apricot and citrus complexity, this chardonnay is ultra-enticing from the first sniff. Plus delicious depth and mineral layers coexist with a creamy, citrus-centric core, … Read More
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Hieronymus 2019
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Hieronymus 2019 $125 A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, (clone 10), 29% cabernet franc (clone 326) and 11% merlot (clone 181) sourced from predominantly their ‘Stone’ Gimblett Gravels vineyard, this wine is the epitome of what the Elephant Hill team can achieve from an excellent vintage. Inky-dark and glossy, this wine … Read More
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $125 From what’s fast becoming known as the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay vintages (19.20,21) Airavata is the absolute pinnacle of what the Elephant Hill winemaking team can achieve with syrah. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s so gorgeously, garnet-hued, glossy and inky-dark, it wins stars on … Read More
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Whole Bunch Gamay Noir 2022
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Whole Bunch Gamay Noir 2022 $36 The Lucknow Vineyard out west of Hastings in the Maraekakaho sub-region, has some of the oldest gamay noir vines in the country, and Lauren Swift’s taken advantage of those heritage vines for her shiny new vintage. Once harvested the bunches and any loose berries were sealed … Read More
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Rosé 2022
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Rosé 2022 $29 With probably the prettiest rosé label I’ve seen in a very long time, this wine is definitely a feast for the eyes. Winemaker Lauren Swift has a lifelong love affair with syrah, so there was no question it’d be the grape used for her new rosé. This … Read More
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Gamay Blanc de Noir 2022
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Gamay Blanc de Noir 2022 $36 Sourced from one of the oldest gamay vineyards in the country, Lucknow Vineyard in Maraekakaho, the fruit was lightly pressed immediately after harvest to glean the freshest juice, but the least amount of colour from the skins. Fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel and left … Read More
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Whole Bunch Chardonnay 2021
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Whole Bunch Chardonnay 2021 $36 Cardoness Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa Triangle is in conversion to organics and it’s where winemaker Lauren Swift has sourced the Clone 15 and Mendoza fruit from for this richly-styled, fresh-as-a-daisy chardonnay. With aromas of caramelised oak, fresh popcorn, grilled grapefruit and edged with … Read More
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chenin Blanc 2022
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chenin Blanc 2022 $36 Fretting that the only local chenin blanc you’ve tasted seems to be a touch sweet? Help has arrived in the form of Lauren Swift’s shiny, new, intensely dry example which boasts a lift of apple skin, lime zest, and quartzy, chalky minerality. The palate is beautifully … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022 $22 Super-attractive nose showing pear strudel spices and creamy quince and apple notes, soft peach and nutmeggy magic which all flows through onto the palate in a wave of soothing, refreshing, cleansing crispness. It’s a lovely, beautifully balanced style showing layers of stylish complexity and a long … Read More