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Pegasus Bay VIRTUOSO Chardonnay 2019
Pegasus Bay VIRTUOSO Chardonnay 2019 $65 I love the way this wine smells of popcorn, bacon, grilled grapefruit and roasted peaches drizzled in vanilla and butterscotch sauce. It’s so fresh, energetic and vibrantly nutty. A Virtuoso chardonnay is only attempted in exceptional years, from a selection of Mat Donaldson’s best barrels produced from fruit grown … Read More
Tags: Chardonnay, pegasus bay, Pegasus Bay VIRTUOSO Chardonnay 2019, virtuoso, waipara
May 25, 2023
Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013 & 2019
It was a real treat to taste a mini-vertical of a pinot noir that I’ve been a fan of for many years. Phil Handford from Grasshopper Rock sent me a bottle each of his 2013 and 2019 for comparison (and fun) and it was super interesting seeing how an extra six years vine age, tiny … Read More
Tags: alexandra, Central Otago, earnscleugh vineyard, grasshopper rock, Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir 2013, Grasshopper Rock Earnscleugh Vineyard Pinot Noir 2019, Pinot Noir
May 24, 2023
Loss, Learning and Looking Ahead – A post-cyclone wine capital
Loss, Learning and Looking Ahead by Yvonne LorkinMay 16, 2023 Photo: Florence Charvin [As published in May/June BayBuzz magazine.] It’s a generalisation, but even before Cyclone Gabrielle hit Hawke’s Bay, things out in the vineyards weren’t fabulous. The 2022 harvest was hobbled by Spring frosts and unsettled weather through flowering and fruit set, followed by a … Read More
Tags: bay buzz, Cellar Door, cyclone gabrielle, flood damaged, Hawke's Bay, kel dixon, Learning and Looking Ahead - A post-cyclone wine capital, Loss, shed 530, steve smith mw, winery
Saved by the Decibel
Saved by the Decibel by Yvonne LorkinMarch 31, 2023 Daniel Brennan. Photo: Florence Charvin [As published in March/April BayBuzz magazine.] Daniel Brennan was born in New York and grew up in a part of Philadelphia known as Southern New Jersey, or as the locals say, South Jersey. He’d been living in the city, right near the … Read More
Tags: baybuzz magazine, daniel brennan, decibel wines, Saved by the Decibel
Hawke’s Bay is now a World Wine Capital!
Hawke’s Bay joins ranks of elite world wine regions From left: Penelope Radburnd, Lauren Swift, Barry Riwai, Kate Radburnd, Julian Grounds, Alex Hendry. Photo: Brett Phibbs / PhibbsVisuals Hawke’s Bay has been named a Great Wine Capital of the world, a global network of the world’s 12 greatest wine regions, including Bordeaux, Bilbao and Napa … Read More
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $60 Just 110 cases were produced of this superb syrah grown in the deep, stony soils of the Gimblett Gravels district (hence the ‘stone’ title) from a vintage that’s fast becoming known as one of the 21st-century greats in Hawke’s Bay. Seductive aromas of peppercorn, violets, red apple … Read More
Tags: elephant hill, Elephant Hill Stone Hawke's Bay Syrah 2019, Hawke's Bay, stone, syrah
May 23, 2023
Le Grá Wairarapa Pinot Rosé 2022
Le Grá Wairarapa Pinot Rosé 2022 $38 A refreshingly spritzy style of rosé that roars with watermelon, crabapple and succulent salinity. Crunchy-crisp and mineral-drenched, it’s laced with soft herb and rhubarb notes and has a long, zesty finish. Nice work from one of Wairarapa’s smallest wineries. (Extra for Experts) Look out for some interesting new … Read More
Tags: le gra, Le Grá Wairarapa Pinot Rosé 2022, Pinot Rose, rose, Wairarapa
May 22, 2023
Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade 2022 Gin $75
Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade 2022 Gin $75 Every year Kate and David, the husband and wife duo behind one of the world’s most exciting gin distilleries, craft a gin in homage to the annual Hastings Blossom Parade, a celebration of Spring and the excitement of a new fruit harvest for the orchard-centric region. Organic botanicals … Read More
Tags: blossom, gin, hastings distillers, Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade 2022 Gin, Hawke's Bay, organic
Hastings Distillers Autumn Gin 2023
Hastings Distillers Autumn Gin 2023 40% 500ml $85 Just 450 bottles were created of this intensely perfumed and totally unique, limited edition gin from one of our favourite artisanal distillers. Crafted using nine organic botanicals, I love the poached quince, fresh juniper and soft tangelo and tarragon notes that form a warming, soothing, sweetly luscious … Read More
Tags: Autumn, gin, hastings distillers, Hastings Distillers Autumn Gin, Hawke's Bay, organic
Carrick Arthur’s Vineyard Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021
Carrick Arthur’s Vineyard Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $65 Grown across the road from the Carrick winery, the 10/5 clone, own-rooted vines responsible for this new addition to Carrick’s stable, are 25 years old and really starting to hit their straps. Handpicked, wild-fermented and left on skins for almost 4 weeks before spending 9 … Read More
Tags: arthur's vineyard, bannockburn, carrick, Carrick Arthur's Vineyard Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021, organic, Pinot Noir
May 19, 2023
Carrick Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2022
Carrick Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 $28 If you’ve been hunting high and low, hither and yon for a rosé that’s bone dry but generously ‘big boned’ then you’ve come to the right cul de sac my friend. Crafted from organically grown, Bannockburn pinot noir that’s been handpicked, gently pressed, separated from its … Read More
Tags: bannockburn, carrick, Carrick Organic Central Otago Rosé 2022, Central Otago, organic, Pinot Noir Rosé, rose
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022 $24 Crafted from 51% tempranillo and 49% syrah sourced from a a combo of their Gimblett Gravels, Moteo Pa and Roys Hill vineyards, this rosé is deliciously dry, crunchy-fresh and fleshy. Soft, savoury spices cuddle a core of bright raspberry and redcurrant to create a zesty, very pretty wine … Read More
Tags: Hawke's Bay, rose, Trinity Hill, Trinity Hill Hawke's Bay Rosé 2022
May 18, 2023
Trinity Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Trinity Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $24 A very attractive, limited edition Marlborough sauvignon blanc here from a Hawke’s Bay icon. Fresh, cleansing, loaded with tropicality and finishign with great tension – it’s a delight. Trinity Hill
Tags: marlborough, sauvignon blanc, Trinity Hill, Trinity Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Carrick Central Otago Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Carrick Central Otago Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $28 Paired with: Oven Baked Potato Spinach Feta Frittata by Annabel Langbein in the NZ Herald May 20 2023 Glory be to the creator. Of this sensational organic sauvignon blanc. Who happens to be winemaker Rosie Menzies. A long slow fermentation in older oak barrels followed by a … Read More
Tags: carrick, Carrick Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Central Otago, organic, sauvignon blanc
May 16, 2023
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $60 Deep, richly structured Merlot sourced from the Gimblett Gravels has had a floral boost from a splash of 8% cabernet franc sourced from the Bridge Pa Triangle sub-region, and the result is an absolutely plush and perfectly balanced, refreshing red wine stacked with classic damson plum, dark … Read More
Tags: elephant hill, Elephant Hill Stone Hawke's Bay Merlot 2019, gimblett gravels, Hawke's Bay, merlot, stone
May 13, 2023
Decibel Wines Gimblett Gravels Testify Red Blend 2019
Decibel Wines Gimblett Gravels Testify Red Blend 2019 $56 Testify is the flagship red from Dan Brennan at Decibel and this vintage, from one of the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay harvests (2019, 2020 & 2021) is a stonkingly good, certified organic blend of 60% malbec and 40% merlot which roars with spiced berry energy, … Read More
Tags: decibel wines, Decibel Wines Gimblett Gravels Testify Red Blend 2019, gimblett gravels, Hawke's Bay, malbec, merlot, red blend, testify
Taylors Estate Limestone Coast Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Taylors Estate Limestone Coast Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $17 – $20 Classic cabernet characters of blueberry, boysenberry, dark cocoa and buckets of spice all burst forth in this consistently rich, smooth, dangerously easy-to-appreciate wine. Blackcurrant and layers of liquorice merge in the mid-palate and add to its decently long and refreshing finish. Widely available … Read More
Tags: cabernet sauvingon, Clare Valley, Limestone Coast, limestone coast clare valley, Taylors, Taylors Estate Limestone Coast Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020, taylors wines
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Le Phant Rouge 2021
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Le Phant Rouge 2021 $28 From the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay vintages (2019, 2020, 2021) comes a blend of 40% merlot, 36% syrah, 14% tempranillo, 8% malbec, 1% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc grown across their three vineyard sites, 13% from the ‘Sea’ vineyard at Te Awanga, 53% from … Read More
Tags: elephant hill, Elephant Hill Hawke's Bay Le Phant Rouge 2021, Hawke's Bay, le phant, le phant rouge
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $34 This Chardonnay is a cracker. Boasting incredible freshness and stonefruit intensity laced with attractively balanced oak and zesty citrus textures on the finish. Crafted by winemaker Hugh Crichton and his team, this chardonnay is made mostly from Elephant Hill’s ‘Sea’ vineyard on the Te Awanga coastline, just metres … Read More
Tags: Chardonnay, elephant hill, Elephant Hill Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2021, Hawke's Bay
Clearview Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021
Clearview Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 $45 The colour of this wine is what will wow you first. Pour it on a sunny day and marvel at its ruby, crimson, glossy gorgeousness. On the nose and palate, it’s a lightly-styled, soothing, gently-peppered example, showing lifted florals and a long, smooth finish. Crafted using fruit sourced … Read More
Tags: Clearview, clearview estate, Clearview Reserve Hawke's Bay Syrah 2021, Hawke's Bay, Reserve, syrah
May 10, 2023
Doctors Flat Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019
Doctors Flat Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $52-$58 Anyone who loves great pinot noir should phone their nearest wine shop now to ask if they have this wine in stock. If they do, hoon down there immediately and celebrate that you’ve carpe’d that diem. If they don’t, wail loudly over the phone … Read More
Tags: bannockburn, Central Otago, doctors flat, Doctors Flat Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019, Pinot Noir, single vineyard
May 1, 2023
Main Divide North Canterbury Merlot Cabernet 2020
Main Divide North Canterbury Merlot Cabernet 2020 $18-$21 A lipsmacking blend of classic varieties produces a plummy, cocoa and blueberry-laced wine that’s ripe, spicy and very easy to drink. It’s a smile-inducing, uncomplicated style that’ll work nicely with anything meaty. Just drink it, don’t overthink it. Main Divide
Tags: cabernet, Main Divide, Main Divide North Canterbury Merlot Cabernet 2020, merlot, merlot cabernet, North Canterbury, pegasus bay, waipara
April 28, 2023
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Marsanne Viognier 2020
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Marsanne Viognier 2020 $39 A blend of 92% marsanne with a splishy splash of 8% viognier has been fermented and aged in barrels for 17 months before bottling and the result is a generously dry (14%alc) wine loaded with lemony complexity, green apple goodness and a mineral-stacked spine. Refreshing and cleansing, … Read More
Tags: gimblett gravels, marsanne, Trinity Hill, Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Marsanne Viognier 2020, viognier
April 20, 2023
Rockburn Central Otago Chardonnay 2022
Rockburn Central Otago Chardonnay 2022 $32 Central Otago is one of the harshest environments to grow grapes. Inland, mountainous and with almost no humidity, very low organic matter in the soils, weather extremes like you wouldn’t believe and crazy people who insist on hurling themselves off bridges and out of helicopters and into half-pipes on … Read More
Tags: Central Otago, Chardonnay, rockburn, Rockburn Central Otago Chardonnay 2022
April 18, 2023
Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Albariño 2022
Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Albariño 2022 $23-$27 I can see myself slathering this sauce across some sort of sublime Spanish fish dish and for that reason I’d launch myself into a bottle of this shiny-new albariño (pronounced al–bar-een-yo) While the spiritual home of Spain’s signature white wine might be in the Rías Baixas (ree-hass bye-shass) … Read More
Tags: albarino, awatere valley, marlborough, single vineyard, yealands, Yealands Estate, Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Albariño 2022
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