Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $21 I have no idea what grapes have been used to craft this fabulously floral, spice-edged rosé and I’m fine with not knowing. I need more mystery in my life. Bursting with cherry and peachy notes on the nose and crunchy-fresh redcurrant and soft apple characers in … Read More
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Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $24.99 Crafted by Rod McDonald, this coastally-grown chardonnay has unique aromas of seabreezes and custard squares and peach conserve spread on buttered toast with charred edges. It’s creamy, stonefruit saturated and licked with a whisker of white pepper which adds complexity and yumness (should totally be a word) … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling Cuvée 2018
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling Cuvée 2018 ($poa) Truth be told, I’ve not been a big fan of the sparkling sauvignon blanc style, but this little export-only lovely from Te Awanga Estate in Hawke’s Bay has more personality packed into it than a high school drama troupe (and we all know how OTT … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $49.99 I’m convinced Rod McDonald, winemaker and owner of Te Awanga Estate, actually has syrah running through is veins instead of blood. He’s so intuitive with each vintage, it’s like he and those grapes have telepathic connections that work to create deliciousness in the bottle every … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $49.99 Te Awanga Estate’s owner Rod McDonald, has been named in the inaugural ‘Master Winemaker 100’ list, a prestigious who’s who of top global winemakers compiled by reputable magazine the drinks business (UK) – so what you’re holding in your hand is a glass of his … Read More
Te Awanga Estate One Off Silky Smooth Organic Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Te Awanga Estate One-Off Silky Smooth Organic Hawke’s Bay Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $34.99 Yes, it’s a mouthful to say, but this is where Italy and France smash together to create a harmonious blend of dark, blueberry fruits, espresso, leather and bay leafy loveliness. Looking at the label, you may expect a heavyweight honker, yet … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $21.99 Word on the street is that 2019 was a cracker of a year in Hawke’s Bay for chardonnay and this little Rod McDonald creation definitely doesn’t let the side down. It’s a seriously sippable, grin-inducing burst of nectarine, lemon zest, creamy almond and brulee notes. There’s … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019
Blistered Bread Beans and Haloumi with Tzatziki Well hang my knickers on the line and call me KZ7. If the combination of these blistered beans and the mind-bendingly tasty Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 ($19) doesn’t have you sailing into the stratosphere then I don’t know what will. Crisp nashi, quince and … Read More
Te Awanga Estate The Loom Hawke’s Bay Reserve Chardonnay 2018
Te Awanga Estate The Loom Hawke’s Bay Reserve Chardonnay 2018 $34 Glossy, golden and going gangbusters on the pineapple and peach front, this Rod McDonald creation just powers across the palate leaving a comets tail of caramelised spices, buttered crumpet crumbs, grapefruit zest and tropical tastiness abound. It’s silky, succulent and seriously sexy to sip. … Read More
Te Awanga Estate One Off Underground Organic Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Te Awanga Estate One Off Underground Organic Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $33 Grown out in the rocky soils of what the locals call ‘the RD9’ (or Maraekakaho to the townies), this organic chardonnay comes courtesy of the skilled winemaking wizardry of Rod McDonald. Wait. How rocky are the soils I hear you ask? Ok. So … Read More