Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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

7 September 2011By Yvonne

“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

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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 

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008

7 September 2011By Yvonne

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $35  Golden and glossy, this wine boasts layers of white peach, tangelo and grapefruit pith aromas which are so enticing it’s quite tricky actually wrenching your nose away so you can actually put it in your mouth!  But it’s worth it because this chardonnay has succulent stonefruit and creamy, nutty, … Read More

Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011

7 September 2011By Yvonne

Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011  Passionfruit sorbet and crushed herbs on the nose merge with a spritzy-sweet burst of lemon and lime in the mouth.  Shiney and new it’s a sure-fire sauvignon that’s classic, tangy and long on flavour. A terrific match for fresh seafood, particularly paua fritters drizzled with lemon juice or pan-seared … Read More

Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010

31 August 2011By Yvonne

Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010 $22  Inspired by the Rugby World Cup, 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 enjoy … Read More

Alpha Domus ‘The Barnstormer’ Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2010

30 August 2011By Yvonne

Alpha Domus The Barnstormer HB Syrah 2010 $27  A sexy, glossy magenta-coloured wine oozing aromas of freshly ground black pepper, roast beef and ripe berryfruit.  It is deliciously silky to drink and boasts fresh blackberry and liquorice flavours with a smoky undercurrent which leads to a long finish complete with clinging, muscular tannins.  A lovely match … Read More