Trinity Hill Thomson’s Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $120 Soothing, stylish and stacked with dark berries, exotic spices, smoky notes and stitched together with graphite-dusted goodness. Grown on the steep slopes of Roys Hill, overlooking the Gimblett Gravels sub-region, this single vineyard syrah is fresh and finely tuned and the tannins have the perfect amount … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $45 Hailing from one of Hawke’s Bay’s ‘holy trinity’ of vintages (2019, 2020, 2021), the name Elspeth was given, years ago, to their flagship wines, after the owner/winemaker of the time Tim Preston’s grandmother, Elspeth Preston. Only released when the fruit is fantastic, this cabernet sauvignon would … Read More
The Flying Winemaker Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
The Flying Winemaker Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $30 If you were expecting a syrah that simply offered bog-standard violets and pepper, this one delivers SO much more than that. It delivers joy and wonder and unicorns and dreams and glittery goodness all wrapped up in a spicy, blueberry-cloaked cloud. Bright, energetic, and dangerously easy to … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa 340 Blanc 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa 340 Blanc 2019 $45 I just lurve me a blended white. Like, really love them. To the point of obsession, where people keep a wide berth and try to avoid my gaze in the tasting room. Grown just outside of Carterton, this magical mélange shows the soft herbaceousness of sauvignon blanc, the … Read More
Forrest Wines Marlborough Semillon 2021
Forrest Wines Marlborough Semillon 2021 $28 Up until 2021, it had been 10 years between bottlings of Forrest semillon in a classic, dry style. I was beginning to think it’d never happen again. Oh the horror! Like Wellington on a good day, nothing beats Marlborough semillon in a great vintage, and this is absolute proof. … Read More
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2020
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2020 $25.99 Paired with: The Ultimate Beef Burgers by Annabel Langbein in the NZ Herald Jan 28 2023 Eating burgers isn’t something you can do sexily. Unless you’re Anya Taylor-Joy of course. Her character Margot gets to masticate Chef Slowik’s meaty offering in that mind-bending movie The Menu. … Read More
The Hunting Lodge Homeblock Waikoukou Waimauku Sauvignon Blanc 2021
The Hunting Lodge Homeblock Waikoukou Waimauku Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $29 Not many people know that the actual, actual, actual birthplace of commercial, New Zealand sauvignon blanc, is out in West Auckland. Yep. Originally planted by the Spence brothers in 1970 with 400 bottles produced in the first vintage of 1974, they then decided to propagate … Read More
Bostock Wines Vicki’s Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017
Bostock Wines Vicki’s Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 $70 Grown in the Bridge Pa sub-region, with iron-rich soils famous for producing high-quality syrah, this certified organic syrah is entering a pretty darn wonderful drinking window. Dusty plum and pepper complexity on the nose and palate adds to the earthy layers in this softly-styled syrah. Refreshing, … Read More
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 $40* There’s a lot of lusciousness going on in this little-known wine from one of the best Central Otago producers you’ve never heard of. A LOT of lusciousness. There’s also a lot of fresh spice, redcurrant and cherry complexity, a lick of mushroomy meatiness and it’s packed with … Read More
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Penkridge Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $40* Exotically aromatic and maturing very nicely, this pinot is awash with cranberry and cherry complexity, energetic, refreshing textures and lush, savoury, black tea notes on both the nose and palate. Youthful, yet developing some depth and earthiness which makes it really shine. Made by Antony Worch for … Read More