Tohu Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2019

10 November 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $17 Leek and Greens Frittata (dish magazine Feb Mar 2020) Reading the list of ingredients alone (leek, turmeric, coriander, cumin, chard, spinach, kale, lemon, mint, parsley, dill and shallots etc…) had me instantly reaching for a bottle of Tohu Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ($17) Why?  Because it has … Read More

Redmetal ‘The Merlot’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2000

1 November 2019By Yvonne

Redmetal ‘The Merlot’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2000 $40 (sold out) Closing in on twenty years old, this merlot from the iron-rich, red-metal gravels of Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa Triangle district is heading into its twilight years.  I remember tasting this wine WAY back in 2004 and it was just a perky little puppy, it’s feet … Read More

Coxhead Creek Matakana Rosé 2019

1 November 2019By Yvonne

Coxhead Creek Matakana Rosé 2019 $25 I love this wine!  Crafted by the crazy-talented Warren Knudsen, from 100% cabernet franc, this rosé is the real deal.  It’s incredibly concentrated, spicy, floral and deliciously dry to drink.  Crisp, focused and showing superb purity of flavour, it’s a style that I’d love to see more of from … Read More

Redmetal Erinview Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2007

1 November 2019By Yvonne

Redmetal Erinview Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2007 $soldout Twelve years.  Twelve years is clearly the magic number for this wine.  Crafted by Grant Edmonds from fruit sourced from the long-ago sold Erinview vineyard, this merlot-dominant dominatrix is clad in leather and scented with berries and spice and is long and leggy and darn … Read More

Watermark Herringbone Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017

31 October 2019By Yvonne

Watermark Herringbone Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017$28 Stop. Look left. Look right. Look over your shoulder and make sure no one is watching you sip and grin because they’re going to want a piece of the action and believe me – you will be wanting to keep this puppy all to yourself! We have been waiting, … Read More

Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2019

30 October 2019By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2019 $27 I love the way it smells.  Showing apricots, jasmine, mineral notes and really interesting juicy characters alongside a succulent texture.   It’s like very silky very kind of sip, satisfyingly sexy. It’s no wonder that it got a gold medal. That’s because this wine is absolutely stunning and it’s the … Read More

Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019

28 October 2019By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019 ($25) Holy buckets of lychee Batman!  This wine unleashes a lahar of luscious stonefruit succulence and tropical taste sensations on the nose and palate, alongside a sprinkling of ginger, white pepper and nashi niceness.  Crisp, textural and deliciously dry on the finish, it wraps itself around anything tandoori terrifically. www.blackenbrook.co.nz

Rock & Pillar Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017

21 October 2019By Yvonne

Rock & Pillar Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $29 Really enjoyed this lush, plush, cherry-driven pinot that’s showing deliciously savoury, forest floor notes on the nose and palate and a really silky-textured finish.  Fruit saturated and finely-tuned.  I love it! www.southernwines.co.nz  

Loopline Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018

19 October 2019By Yvonne

Loopline Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018 $22 (not released, may be in new label) Bright ruby colour, intensely aromatic, clove, alspice, nutmeg, black tea, cocoa and wild cherry, solid acidity, tree bark, slight salinity, earthy edge yet has truckloads of flavour and a deep, dried herb, pepper – loads of good stuff here!  It’s perfumed … Read More

Loopline Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2018

19 October 2019By Yvonne

Loopline Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2018 $20 Grown just outside of Masterton on the Opaki Plains, this pinot gris is creamy-textured, yet dry and deliciously complex.  Full and generously proportioned on the palate, with gum-tingling acidity and great length of flavour – the apple, quince and baked peach notes shine through.  Love it!