Elephant Hill Airavata Syrah 2013 $95 ★★★★★ This wine was 3.5 years in the making. Choosing the best possible syrah rows, adopting a specific canopy management strategy to grow ‘super syrah’ and then working on it with kid gloves in the winery to create the first ‘Icon’ syrah since 2009. This Airavata (meaning ‘the king-god of … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Elephant Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2013
Elephant Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2013 $69 ★★★★★ According to winemaker Steve Skinner, they did 33 different picks across their syrah vineyards, which, for a smallish, 200-odd tonne winery is a huge effort “but it was so worth it because we were able to single out some absolutely stunning parcels to make wines like this … Read More
Saint Clair Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2013
Saint Clair Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2013 $23 ★★★½ Being a pioneering Marlborough producer hasn’t stopped the Saint Clair crew from forging further into northern climes to nab themselves some prime red wine territory in Hawke’s Bay. This syrah has all those classic plum, violet and pepper-driven spice characters that you’ll be asking for, alongside good … Read More
Craggy Range Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Rosé 2015
Craggy Range Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Rosé 2015 $29 ★★★★ Parcels of merlot and syrah were chosen and blended from Craggy Range’s vineyard in the sun-baked Gimblett Gravels district in Hawke’s Bay, gently pressed and slow-fermented to create a coral-pink wine packed with watermelon, guava and raspberry freshness. On the palate there’s that zing of … Read More
Joiy Sparkling Riesling NV
Joiy Sparkling Riesling NV (4x250ml) $25 ★★★ Bees, butterflies, exotic birds and mythical creatures adorn the storybook-ish, duck-egg blue label of this riesling-based wine spritzer. It’s been on the market for a couple of years and is going gangbusters according to winemaker Chris Archer. Twist the cap, pour and you’re met with sweet, musky stonefruit, … Read More
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Pinot Gris 2014
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Nelson Pinot Gris 2014 $30 ★★★★½ So if you’ve never entertained the thought of spending $30 on a bottle of pinot gris then it’s probably about time you started saving some coin because there’s a huge leap in complexity to be gained when you upgrade. I love the luscious lychee, quince, baking … Read More
Waimea Estate Nelson Grüner Veltliner 2015
Waimea Estate Nelson Grüner Veltliner 2015 $23 ★★★★ Grüner Veltliner (groon-er velt-leener) is to Austria what sauvignon blanc is to us – but I tell you what, this snappy white wine is absolutely loving our kiwi, cool-climate environment and settling in quite nicely, Nelson being no exception. This example has light peach, crushed shells, summer … Read More
Clos de la Chappelle Brut Instinct Premier Cru Champagne
Clos de la Chappelle Brut Instinct Premier Cru Champagne $59.90 ★★★★★ Wow! Five star champagne for under sixty dollars? I know, it’s head-scratching stuff, but best you get a move on, dust off the wallet and grab some quick because with Christmas looming there’ll be precious little left soon. I love the hints of ginger … Read More
VNO Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014
VNO Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $16.99 ★★★½ If you’re a fan of tropical, fruit-salad-like chardonnay, then I’m sure this will definitely become a new fave for your fridge this summer. Chardonnay like this can really suffer if it’s served too cold, so with its temperature sensitive label to tell you exactly when to take it … Read More
VNO ‘Skinny’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2015
VNO ‘Skinny’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2015 $16.99 ★★★★ At just 9% alcohol and 96 calories per serve this is definitely on the light side of the swing, and with it’s aromas of soft raspberry, cranberry and cherry, you think it’s going to stay there. However in the mouth this wine has WAY more punch, with … Read More