Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023

20 December 2023By Yvonne

Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $23 A classically punchy sauvignon from one of Marlborough’s much-loved producers. Founded in 1994 by Greg and Sue White, Whitehaven is known for its ability to turn out sauvignon with flavour intensity and personality year after year. Crunchy lemon and lime layers wrap around passionfruit, jalapeno and bruised basil to … Read More

Munros Road Clevedon Arneis 2022

20 December 2023By Yvonne

Munros Road Clevedon Arneis 2022 $27 Fans of crispy, dry whites ahoy! From the folk at Clevedon Vineyard located on the slopes of Clevedon Valley comes this rather smashable sip for the summer. And here’s an extra for experts. Did you know that Clevedon Vineyard was the very first place to grow Arneis, an Italian … Read More

Omata Estate Russell Chardonnay 2022

18 December 2023By Yvonne

Omata Estate Russell Chardonnay 2022 $48 Gorgeously golden in the glass, this Bay of Islands-grown chardonnay gushes with creamy-dreamy cashew, grilled grapefruit, baked peach and popcorn aromas which all osmose across to the palate. Buttery and softly smoky, it’s a generously juicy style with hints of bacon to finish. Lovers of classic, creamy, bold chardonnay … Read More

Omata Estate Russell Rosé 2023

16 December 2023By Yvonne

Omata Estate Russell Rosé 2023 $34 If you’re looking for rosé that resides down the richer end of the street, then this is your mansion in the cul-de-sac kids. Aromas of Pink Lady apples, nashi notes, soft spice layers and a ribbon of quince give this rosé immediate appeal. Generously proportioned and very very plush, … Read More

Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2021

14 December 2023By Yvonne

Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2021 $49 You don’t get picked as one of the elite twelve wines to represent the Annual Vintage Selection of red wines from the Gimblett Gravels just by being nice. Oh no. You need to be powerful, yet soothing, assemble of lifted florals, soft smoke and char. You need to … Read More

Jules Taylor Marlborough Grüner Veltliner 2023

10 December 2023By Yvonne

Jules Taylor Marlborough Grüner Veltliner 2023 $24 Paired with: Figs, Endive & Hazelnuts in the NZ Herald Canvas Magazine Sat March 2 2024 The combination of subtle sweetness of ripe, juicy figs, moreishly toasty hazelnuts and the crispy, bitter, crunch of the endive leaves is all sorts of excellence in the mouth, but take a … Read More

Whitehaven Block 11 Barrel Fermented Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

6 December 2023By Yvonne

Whitehaven Block 11 Barrel Fermented Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $32 How excellent that the team at Whitehaven have chosen to launch their new Single Vineyard series with the release of a shiny new barrel-fermented sauvignon blanc. Fruit from their Paul’s Road vineyard has been wild fermented and aged for 13 months in old French Oak … Read More

Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022

30 November 2023By Yvonne

Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 $30 The talented team at Folding Hill are responsible for turning out one of my favourite, always reliably tasty, Central Otago pinot noirs. The Ballasalla. This new vintage is perfumed with poached rhubarb, pot-pourri, red cherry and soft, earthy spices. It washes across the tongue and gums with fresh, … Read More

Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Chardonnay 2021

30 November 2023By Yvonne

Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Chardonnay 2021 $32 I’m telling you right now, the vertigo-inducingly steep, sun-baked slopes of the zero-humidity sub-region of Bendigo is my new chardonnay spot to watch. While Tim Kerruish, his wife Nikki and their Folding Hill team are new to chardonnay, (their first vintage was the 2020) this second vintage … Read More

Maison Noire Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2022

25 November 2023By Yvonne

Maison Noire Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2022 $35 Glossy-dark and inky in the glass, this new syrah from winemaker Guillaume Thomas has a distinct, pepper-soaked sarsparilla note on the nose, with black guava, tea leaf and tamarillo characters sashaying their way nostrilward also. To taste, it’s incredibly fresh and youthful, stitched together with peppercorn and … Read More