There’s a reason why this is the house pour at some of the most exclusive Italian restaurants here in NZ. I’m convinced it’s because of its heady, exotic aromas of citrus zest, jasmine and white pepper. The crisp honeysuckle and lemony loveliness on the finish is ciao bella bonza. Catarratto and Inzolia are grapes usually … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Maimai Creek Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Cabernet Franc 2013 $25
Mal McLennan has been operating his vineyards in Meeanee and Bridge Pa since 1994, growing grapes for other people. His fruit was in such high demand, that he decided in 2002 to have a crack at making his own wine and Maimai Creek was born. Mal is extremely hands-off with his grapes and this blend … Read More
Estampa Chile Cabernet Sauvignon/ Petit Verdot 2013 $20.00
The Colchagua Valley in Chile is where some of the biggest boldest reds hail from, yet this blend is gently juicy, spicy and plush and incredibly ripe and velvety to drink. There’s a warm, chocolatey, almost coconutty character on the finish (which is a hint they’ve used American oak) and the tannins are fine and … Read More
Doubtless Bay Northland Merlot 2010 $22.00
How often is it that we get to taste merlot that’s had a decent stretch of time inside the bottle. Time enough for all that nervous teenage fruit and spice to actually settle into a calm kind of companionship. All edges and elbows have smoothed over, all that youthful hot air is now a warm … Read More
Heartland Spice Trader Langhorne Creek Shiraz Cabernet 2013 $21.99
Created by wine marketing guru Nicholas Crampton with the genius and grunt work being done by winemaker Cory Ryan, here’s a shiraz which errs on the side of elegant, earthy and lean (as opposed to the sweet, jammy styles that pervade the market). The tannins are furry and chewy and the finish is long, meaty … Read More
La Galine Minervois Syrah 2013 $21.99
La Galine is a tiny vineyard located in one of the most sought after patches of dirt in the heart of the Minervois (meen-er-verwah) appelation in the Languedoc. Syrah-dominant, with a splash of grenache, this vivid ruby/garnet wine shows violets, cranberry, raspberry and pepper, alongside a seriously earthy backbone. It’s a totally different take on … Read More
Pioneer Road Langhorne Creek Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $20.00
All the vineyards that supply fruit for this cabernet are located within 15 minutes of the winery. This rocks because it means the grapes can be processed super-quick, locking in all those bright, vibrant, berrytastic flavours. I love the classic spicy lift on the nose, a squeak of eucalypt, christmas pudding spices, blackberry, dark plum, … Read More
La Pazza Vita Aude Valley Pinot Noir 2015 $21.00
Who says French wines have to be complicated? Here’s a classically earthy example created to tick all those boxes that we know and love in pinot noir. Cherry, masses of it. Raspberry, definitely. Soft, powdery tannins – absolutely. Fresh, youthful acidity – in spades. It’s floral and feisty and just oozes personality for a lightly-styled … Read More
Good Templar The Shield Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $21.99
I like a pinot noir that’s brazenly showy and spicy and that’s why this new vintage of a WineFriend favourite has me grinning. Hints of cassia bark and tea leaf combine with cherry, cranberry and fruit-wood smoke to create a complex, savoury, earth-edged pinot noir that shows classic dried herb and soy notes on the … Read More
Ward Valley ‘Olivia’ Marlborough Rosé 2016 $19.99
Erupting with bright plum, apple and cherry notes, this rose has a fullness and sexy generosity that defies its light colour. Succulent watermelon, blood orange and raspberry flavours collide in the mid-palate to create a bold, take-no-prisoners style of rosé that will convert even the most anti-pink wine fans. It’s kind of iron-fist in velvet … Read More