Churton Marlborough Viognier 2016 $37 The thing that winemaker Sam Weaver absolutely nails with this wine, is the acidity. Viognier is notoriously difficult to achieve freshness and balance in, because its a grape that naturally wants to increase its sugar holdings during ripening and couldn’t give a fig about retaining acidity. So the trick is … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Brown Brothers Patricia Noble Riesling 2014
Brown Brothers Patricia Noble King Valley Riesling 2014 $27 Even if you were somehow blind to the bling on the label (gold medals for Africa here) you’d know as soon as you took your first sip of the Brown Brothers Patricia Noble King Valley Riesling 2014 ($27) that it is astonishingly tasty. That’s because for … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2018
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2018 ($29) Golden, glossy in the glass and heaving with crisp, lipsmacking acidity, toasted coconut and grapefruit characters alongside roasted apples and all manner of mineral-induced magic in the mouth. Chenin blanc hails from the Loire Valley in France (which is where its winemaker Guillaume Thomas is also from) … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $12 Here’s where you need to get your thoughts away from the words ‘sauvignon blanc’ and think about it more as being a white wine made in a reduced, funky style, that’ll definitely spark debate if you took it along to a blind tasting. A splash of viognier … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018
Matahiwi Estate Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018 $42.99 If you’re not a fan of overcooked, overextracted pinot, then this may definitely appeal. A classically-styled pinot noir with hints of tobacco and smoked cherry on the nose and palate, slippery and lush, lightly-structured, powdery tannins, and long, redcurrant and raspberry layers on the finish. www.matahiwi.co.nz
Mahi Single Vineyard Alchemy Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
Mahi Single Vineyard Alchemy Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $39.90 Hands up who loves their chardonnay to unleash smoke signals and roasty, toasty, nutty notes on the nose and palate? Well this new release from Brian Bicknell and his team at Mahi will have you reaching for superlatives in seconds flat. Using fruit sourced from a small … Read More
Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018
Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018 $45 Do you know what’s freaky? If you look at the dark and sultry image of smoke and blossoms on the label, then sniff this wine, your brain will be assailed with charred roses, graphite, baked berries and cocoa. Singling out pinot noir from their ‘home’ vineyard just … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $18 If you’re looking for a chardonnay boasting peachy punchiness, a lick of creaminess, a sprinkling of nuttiness and citrus all the way home, then you’ve come to the correct cul-de-sac. It’s fresh, feisty and has crowd appeal written all over it. With its whimsical label … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 $21.99 Hoping to find a pinot gris with freshness, zing and dryish deliciousness out there? Then hop back into your comfortable cubby hole, because this wine will hit that balance for you no problemo. Dry yet generously proportioned with nashi pear, green apple, a whiff of white pepper and … Read More
Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $22.99 Peach, peach and more peach right here folks! Easy and lemongrassy, luscious and easy to imbibe, it’s got that classic armpitty notes (in the nicest possible way) Dillon’s Point is a micro-region that really punches the tropical fruit into the stratosphere. Soft, generous, juicy, lemonade … Read More