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

Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

May 1, 2020By Yvonne

Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $34.99 Do you know what?  I’ve been pacing, literally pacing around waiting for the new Soler cabernet to cross my desk.  The wait was worth it. Bursting with black guava, blueberry, dark cherry, bay leaf, dark cocoa and liquorice layers, it’s supremely elegant, freshly structured and seriously frisky.  … Read More

Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $34.99 Reviewd in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Beef Cheeks with Parmesan Polenta The Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 ($34.99) is the glossiest, most gorgeously fruit-saturated and spice-soaked thing to pair with this beef cheek recipe. Is it because of its lifted, pepper punchiness, … Read More

Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018

November 11, 2019By Yvonne

Quick seafood stew – matched in dish Magazine 2019 Straight away I’m hurling myself toward a ripe, rumpty, roasty, toasty, slightly smoky chardonnay to chip away at whilst sampling this sensational stew.  The Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 ($34.99) has a rich, smoky tone layered with citrus and caramelized spices, a heavyweight amongst its … Read More

Northern Hemisphere Niceness

September 26, 2015By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 26 Sep 2015 There’s a place in Italy called Salento.  It’s located in the Puglia peninsula region of southern Italy, the one that looks like the heel of a boot, and it’s exceptionally good at growing a red grape that I’m fast becoming a serious fan of.  That grape is … Read More

Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014

June 12, 2015By Yvonne

Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $19 ★★★★ Aromas of basil and lime, passionfruit, pepper and lemongrass lead to crisp, crunchy acidity, a burst of citrus and oodles of tropical tastiness on the finish.  Sourced from an established, high quality vineyard block outside of Hastings, this is a snappy, succulent example of sauvignon … Read More