I taste the 2018 Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection

August 26, 2021By Yvonne

It’s one heck of an exciting feeling cracking open the box containing the newest Gimblett Gravels selection wines. Twelve of the greatest red wines to come from New Zealand’s most famous red wine region, selected independently by Andrew Caillard MW. They’re also selected from a talent pool consisting of dozens of hopefuls from dozens of … Read More

Te Mania Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020

August 26, 2021By Yvonne

Te Mania Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $27.99 While the team at Te Mania have kept us copasetic with their bottles of Nelsonian niceness, this time they’ve journeyed north to the syrah capital of the country to hunt out fruit that’ll not only curl your lashes and epilate your limbs, it’ll also expand your nostrils with … Read More

Tastes Like Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020

August 22, 2021By Yvonne

Known Unknown Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $25 Prepare for a hit of meaty, savoury, classic violet and peppercorn characters on the nose of this new syrah and enjoy how it’s followed by smooth, earthy, dark cocoa flavours and layers of nicely chewy tannins. All that good stuff is boosted with solid acidity as well. It’s … Read More

Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019

June 24, 2021By Yvonne

Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $25 Glossy and gorgeous in the glass, it’s heaving with violets, soft black pepper, dark cherry, damson plum and redcurrant characters that assail the nostrils and flood the tastebuds. With fresh, ultra-vibrant acidity adding vavoom to the mid-palate and fine-grained tannins elongating the flavours, it’s a total … Read More

Weekend Wine Reviews 29th May 2021

June 8, 2021By Yvonne

Drinks matches for Canvas Annabel L Sat 29th May 2021   Nutty cumin Dukkah Wow. wow and triple whammy wow. The Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Syrah 2018 ($40) was chosen as one of just 12 wines to feature in the exclusive, Gimblett Gravels Vintage Selection for 2018 from a tonne of contenders. It’s ultra-elegant … Read More

Canvas Magazine Matches Saturday 29th May 2021

May 30, 2021By Yvonne

Drinks matches for Canvas Annabel L Sat 29th May 2021 Nutty cumin Dukkah Wow. wow and triple whammy wow. The Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Syrah 2018 ($40) was chosen as one of just 12 wines to feature in the exclusive, Gimblett Gravels Vintage Selection for 2018 from a tonne of contenders. It’s ultra-elegant and … Read More

Stonecroft Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2018

April 16, 2021By Yvonne

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

Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019

April 4, 2021By Yvonne

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

Ruby Bay Nelson Syrah 2019

March 24, 2021By Yvonne

Ruby Bay Nelson Syrah 2019 $39.99 Huge pepper on the nose and some good floral notes but the acidity is very high and a touch thin, however that may smooth out over time. It definitely opens up and softens slightly in the glass after a few good swirls. Very pretty garnet colour and fine-grained tannins.  … Read More

Unison Symphony Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014

February 6, 2021By Yvonne

Unison Symphony Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014 $55 This syrah is developing a deliciously meaty majesty to its aromatic and flavourmatic (yes, it’s a word) layers. Soft white pepper, blueberry and boysenberry coulis characters all jostle for attention on the nose and mouth and it ends up being quite the delicious disco. Hints of flaxseed, soy … Read More