Scout South Island Pinot x Pinot 2018 $32 Greg and Sarah Lane are the team behind Scout, a trans-tasman brand turning out Adelaide Hills chardonnay and reds from the South Island of New Zealand. This little monster is a blend of 75% whole bunch Marlborough Pinot with 25% skin fermented Nelson Pinot Gris. Yep. I … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Saorsa Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
Saorsa Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 $30 The name Saorsa is a Scottish Gaelic word that not only means but also represents a radical sense of freedom, liberty and salvation according to owner Alex Hendry. Crafting just viognier and syrah, his 2016 vintage of syrah is very soft, very earthy, very smooth and lightly structured. Savoury layers and hints of dried … Read More
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $65 Riflemans should be, in my opinion, given national treasure status for its services to chardonnay appreciation in this country. Created in years when the fruit from this heritage-status vineyard in the upper reaches of the Dartmoor Valley, is deemed nothing less than exceptional, this wine is an exercise … Read More
Amisfield Central Otago Fumé Blanc 2016
Amisfield Central Otago Fumé Blanc 2016 $45 When people say ‘fumé blanc is sauvignon for chardonnay lovers’, they’re absolutely right. Winemaker Dr Stephanie Lambert and her team have taken what must have been rather snappy sauvignon blanc fruit and opted to ferment it using wild yeasts, in large French oak barrels. This in turn has given … Read More
Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 $26 Produced by Graeme and Gillian Crosbie from fruit sourced from their Defiance and Domain Road vineyards, this gorgeous thing is scented with creaming soda, raspberry, sweet cherry and watermelonny wonder. It’s a more substantial rose than most, super-concentrated yet taut, robust and spicy, with waves of … Read More
Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2018 $25 Back in 1998 Paul Jacobson was an engineer and his wife Angela managed multiple local kindergartens, plus they were raising three young, Central Otago sons and life was hectic. So that’s why they also become grape growers and winemakers – clearly suckers for punishment! Today their … Read More
Pick & Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018
Pick & Shovel Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 $19.99 Created by the good folk at Dry Gully Vineyard in the summer heat-trap of Alexandra, this pinot gris will appeal to anyone walking on the dry side of the street. Sure you have hints of the usual suspects of pear and quince, yet there’s also a … Read More
Churton Marlborough Petit Manseng 2016
Churton Marlborough Petit Manseng 2016 $49 Incredibly rare in New Zealand, Petit Manseng is grown primarily in Jurancon, in the Southwest of France, however the Weaver family are now growing teensy, tiny amounts in their biodynamic vineyard at Churton, in Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley. It produces an intensely delicious, greengage plum and toffee-topped wine which bursts … Read More
Linden Estate Reserve Dam Block 2016
Linden Estate Reserve Dam Block 2016 $48 Trevor Shepherd has finally released his series of Reserve ‘Dam Block’ blends, and this is my favourite so far. Featuring 72.5% merlot, 17.5% cabernet sauvignon and 10% cabernet franc, this savoury black-olive-and-spice fest shouts ‘Make way for the King!’ to a parade of berries and plums on the … Read More
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2018
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2018 $22.95 Crafted from 100% pinot noir, this snappy little rosé resembles the styles of Southern France, skating down the dry and spicy-fresh side of the fence and leaving a comet tail of soft melon, cranberry and pink peppercorn characters on the palate. Clean, crunchy and built for serving super-chilled … Read More