Coopers Creek SV Gisborne ‘Bell Ringer’ Albarino 2011 $20 Dubbed the ‘Bell Ringer’ because it was an instant hit within the company, it’s also the namesake of their Gisborne growers Doug and Delwyn Bell. It has soft, powdery floral aromas and super-clean, dry and minerally in the mouth with a white peach note on the … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2010
Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2010 $28 Scented with yellow plum, orange oil and frangipane. In the mouth it boasts citrus pith and musky, mid-palate seductiveness. Topped off with tangy, warming length of flavour and a nicely balanced 13.5% alcohol, this is definitely a drinkable example that works beautifully with apricot and sage-stuffed pork roast. www.millton.co.nz Millton … Read More
19th September 2011 Wine Awards Season
Wah-hoo! It’s Wine Awards Season! There’s no doubt about it, we are in the thick of wine awards season. Medal announcements are flying around the media faster than a Sonny Bill shirt-swap pic on Facebook. I’ve lost count of how many press releases I’ve seen just in the last few days announcing trophies here, gold … Read More
Reefton Phoenix Golden Ale
Reefton Phoenix Golden Ale 330ml 5% $4 Reefton is known as the ‘Town of Light’ after having the first public supply of electricity in the Southern Hemisphere, but now it lends its name to this zesty beer which has snappy, malty aromatics, hints of oyster shell and a long, sparkling tangy finish. It’s just fabulous … Read More
Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010
Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010 $22 Inspired by the upcoming Rugby madness, winemaker Steve Gill says it’s an ideal accompaniment to roast springbok and deep fried wallaby and also “to wash down any English puddings”. Ripe and robust, peppery and smooth, it’s dangerously easy to drink. Created as a hearty, ribsticking wine to … Read More
Lime Rock Gruner Veltliner 2011
Lime Rock Grüner Veltliner 2011 375ml $22 The debut example from the best little winery southside of the Te Hauke swamp, and it has interesting white pepper, apple and sake-like aromas followed by green apple, fruitwax and subtle, salty notes on the finish. A really interesting wine that is also rare as hens teeth, so … Read More
Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009
Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009 $57 Glossy, magenta flecked with crimson it has exotic plum blossom, blackberry and cocoa aromas and one sip shows beautiful, multilayered texture in the mouth. Excellent fruit concentration, and the 37% cabernet sauvignon component is robust and ripe providing a solid backbone for the merlot, malbec and franc. It … Read More
September 3 2011 Alpha Domus Aviator Reaches New Heights
“Having our winery right in the middle of the vineyard is the best thing for me as a winemaker” says Kate Galloway of Hawke’s Bay’s Alpha Domus wines. “I love being able to walk outside directly into any of our vineyard blocks to check on how the fruit is tasting. I definitely think this is … Read More
Te Awa Sauvignon Semillon 2010
Te Awa Sauvignon Semillon 2010 $26 This is such an underrated blend. I really like the extra ‘flesh’ the injection of semillon adds to the lemony, tropical sauvignon blanc that Hawke’s Bay is famous for. Aromas of white florals, citrus and fresh-cut fennel lead to zesty minerality which slices across the palate leaving a clean, … Read More
Lime Rock Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2008
Lime Rock Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2008 $29 Attractive garnet-red colour and simply oozes fresh raspberry, cherry and hedgerow-fruit essences. In the mouth it has purity of fruit combined with wild game notes and sexy, earthy spices. If that doesn’t grab you, the long, silky, slippery finish definitely will. Just lovely. www.limerock.co.nz