Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2016 $54 As soon as this niceness from North Canterbury nibbles its way up your nostrils, you’ll need to grab hold of a piece of solid furniture to ensure you remain upright enough to put it in your mouth safely. The wobble factor is a result of the exotically … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Montsable Vin de Pays d’Oc Chardonnay 2018
Montsable Vin de Pays d’Oc Chardonnay 2018 $19.95 You cannot even know how happy I am to see this shiny new vintage of one of my favourite, sip-tastic chardonnays. Typically golden in the glass and heaving with lemon and grapefruity goodness, this gorgeous French chardonnay from the Languedoc (long-wah-dock) region is clean, juicy and jam-packed … Read More
Soljans Estate Fifth Generation Series Kumeu Vineyard Chardonnay 2016
Soljans Estate Fifth Generation Series Kumeu Vineyard Chardonnay 2016 $48 This is the debut chardonnay from the Kumeu vineyard of a West Auckland Octogenarian producer, and it’s an absolute star. Celebrating the welcoming of the fifth generation of Soljan family members (Tyler and Amber) into the family business, this 100% handpicked, 100% barrel fermented, 100% … Read More
Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016$65 At the time of labeling, this four-wheel drive of a wine had already scooped 3 international gold medals, so you can deduce that it’s more than a tad flash. With chocolate covered liquorice layers on the nose combined with smoked game meat, dark berry-fruits, seasoned leather and … Read More
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2018
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2018 $30 Golden and glossy in the glass and one swirl will reveal exotic aromas of ginger, rose water, white pepper, guava and a hunt of musk. To drink, it has a splash of natural sweetness, yet it’s crisp and juicy, not blowsy and broad – like a lot of … Read More
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $30 If you’re not familiar with the eye-rollingly lovely ‘petrichor’ perfume, then stick your nose deep into a glass of this shiny new syrah from one of Hawke’s Bay’s brightest producers and relish that rain-on-hot-asphalt aroma. Boosted with black currant, bay leaf, violets and a smorgasbord of savory layers … Read More
Petane Station Tracks Block Viognier 2018
Petane Station Tracks Block Viognier 2018 $30 Viognier (pronounced ‘vee-yon-YAY’) is one of my favourite things. Like clean, sunshine-dried sheets and emails saying ‘remittance advice.’ It’s a scary, lots-can-go-wrong grape, yet Philip Barber at Petane Station appears to have some sort of shamanistic supremacy over his vineyard, because the resulting wine is crunchy-fresh to taste … Read More
Petane Station Puriri Block Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Petane Station Puriri Block Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 You know how when you watch a ballerina perform the five foot positions, it’s hypnotic, captivating. Every time, the dancer delivers elegance, elongation, delicacy, and interest. That’s what this chardonnay brings to your brain and senses. Perfumed with white nectarine, cashew butter and toasted crumpets, then delivering … Read More
Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017
Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 $22 Kick off your shoes, put your MC Hammer pants on and do a happy dance. This juicy, Gimblett Gravels-grown merlot is seriously floral on the nose and resplendent (now that’s a word) with raspberry, liquorice, spiced plum, and chocolate layers’ that lead to a long, fresh finish. … Read More
Saving Grace Waipara Chardonnay 2018
Saving Grace Waipara Chardonnay 2018 $27 This chardonnay is grown under the shadow of the Nor’West Arch in a spot sheltered by the Teviotdale hills. Classic North Canterbury chardonnay here, with peachy, brulee and cashew characters on the nose and palate and a lingering, creamy mouthfeel. You won’t see much of it about as it’s … Read More