Allan Scott Steytler Stellenbosch + Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $16.99 A first for me, tasting a New Zealand-South Africa collab sauvignon, and it’s really really interesting. Both the Scott family in Marlborough and the Steytler family in Stellenbosch machine-harvested a parcel of sauvignon blanc at night and processed the juice into wine. Both wineries then … Read More
Archives
Leftfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Leftfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $17.99 Paired with: BAKED CHICKEN AND MOZZARELLA MEATBALLS dish Magazine Issue 103 The Leftfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 ($17) has just the right amount of grilled citrus, roast peach and buttered toast terrificness to carry these meatballs past the goalposts. Juicy, robust and prickled with plucky pineapple notes, it’s a … Read More
Astrolabe Sleepers Vineyard Kekerengu Coast Pinot Noir 2019
Astrolabe Sleepers Vineyard Kekerengu Coast Pinot Noir 2019 $50 Grown on coastal, limestone-laden soils 50mins drive south of Blenheim, this pinot noir treads softly on the palate yet is underpinned with exotic, savoury spices, baked tamarillo and wild raspberry notes from woah to go. Paired with: Roasted Eggplant with Spiced Lamb and Harissa dish … Read More
Rabbit Ranch Bright Eyes Central Otago White Pinot Noir 2021
Rabbit Ranch Bright Eyes Central Otago White Pinot Noir 2021 $22 If you were thinking, based on its pale, apricot colour, that this wine would be a lightweight have another thing coming as soon as they sip. Bold, roaring with white strawberry, nectarine and citrus notes on the nose and palate and finishing with a … Read More
Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2020
Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2020 $23 Paired with: Creamy Sweetcorn Polenta with Chicken Schnitzel and Herb Sauce dish Magazine Issue 102 The creamy moreishness of the polenta combined with the savoury, herby, crunchy schnitzel just sings when paired with the juicy apple, pear and spiced peach punchiness of the Tiki North Canterbury … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020 $24 2020 is proving itself to be an absolute smasher of a vintage for Hawke’s Bay reds and this merlot, at $24, is, I think, one of the best value examples on the New Zealand market right now. Grown in the Gimblett Gravels, in Trinity Hill’s Tin Shed vineyard, … Read More
Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $23 Paired with: Market Fish with pistachio herb and lime salsa in dish Magazine Issue 102 Wow! If the lightning strike of lemongrass and apple don’t awe you instantly, then the burst of basil, passionfruit and lime-laden lusciousness of the Tiki North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ($23) … Read More
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 $39.99 The dream team of Warren Gibson and Damian Fischer strike again with a chardonnay crafted with class. Erupting with grilled nectarine, grapefruit pith, creme brulee and buttered crumpet characters, its core of citrus and peach is stitched together with toasted almonds and nicely tweaked acid tension. It’s a … Read More
Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2021
Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2021 ($45) Paired with: Apricot and Almond Baklava Tart in Canvas Magazine in the NZ Herald Feb 12 2022 and Cheesy mushroom and tarragon croque monsieur in dish Magazine Issue 102 Two things are guaranteed to happen as soon as you launch into this tart and sip this outrageously … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021
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