Brown Brothers Origins Series Heathcote Shiraz 2018 $14 I’m loving the label of this wine for starters, it’s very evocative of the land and farming and the classic Aussie heat and dust. I’ve gotta say, this is a delicious and very affordable shiraz that bursts with classic blackcurrant, white pepper, liquorice, plums and spice-laced chocolate. … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Historic vertical tasting of Esk Valley ‘The Terraces’ 1991-2021
This week, on November 22nd some of the rarest bottles of Esk Valley The Terraces will come up for auction at Webb’s in Mt Eden as part of a two-day fine wine and whisky event. Last Wednesday I was extremely fortunate to attend a once-in-a-lifetime Esk Valley ‘The Terraces’ tasting at Webb’s for a small … Read More
Low Sulphur and Preservative Free Wines from Stone Pony & Fourth Wave
Low Sulphur and Preservative Free Wines from Stone Pony & Fourth Wave There’s an increasing volume of quality, affordable, ‘minimal intervention’ wines appearing on our shop shelves, opening up the options for consumers who are conscious of what they’d rather their wines ‘didn’t’ contain. Seeing wines labelled Low or No-Added Sulphites, Zero Preservative and Unfined … Read More
Two Rivers Saint Maur Southern Valleys Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Two Rivers Saint Maur Southern Valleys Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $39.99 This single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc is from Two Rivers’ Saint Maur Vineyard located in the silty clay and gravel soils of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. It was wild/naturally fermented and then aged for 14 months on yeast lees in a combo of concrete eggs tank and … Read More
Yealands Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Yealands Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $16 Bright and bouncing with snowpea, watercress, lemongrass and basil notes on the nose, this sauvignon surges with classic citrus and passionfruit power in the mid-palate. It’s upfront, with all guns blazing in terms of mouthfeel and texture, and it’s not subtle in any way. Yealands Estate
Trinity Hill Prison Block Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Trinity Hill Prison Block Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $120 The way this wine looks as it pours into the glass was enough to elicit an awestruck “woof” from me. Inky, impenetrably dark and gorgeously glossy, it’s the colour of Queen of the Night tulips. It also hoists a payload of intensely pretty, Chocolate Cosmos … Read More
Rapaura Springs South Brook Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019
Rapaura Springs South Brook Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $45 Tasted bottle no. 4047 of 5209 Sourced from Marlborough’s Southern Valleys, this wine bursts with signature soft rhubarb, red apple and cherry aromas, juicy red fruits and creamy textures in the mouth, lifted spice and florals with tannins that have plush yet powerful grip and … Read More
Zero to Hero – Zero Alcohol Wines by Stone Pony & Fourth Wave
The great thing about reviewing zero alcohol wines is I don’t have to spit them out – yay!! It’s also handy to remember that de-alcoholised wines can be very floral and fruity and enjoyable, they will have a taste and texture that’s slightly different to full-strength wines. Yet the quality of zero-alc wines is improving … Read More
Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2020
Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay 2020 $36 There are some golden-zones for chardonnay in Marlborough, and the Omaka Valley is right at the top of that list. Its soils can turn out intensely concentrated examples and this is no exception. Surging with roast nectarine, pineapple and melon-mashed magic, fresh, beautifully caramelised oak, creamy complexity … Read More
Known Unknown Pakipaki Syrah 2021
Known Unknown Pakipaki Syrah 2021 $37 Just south of Hastings in Hawke’ Bay is the sleepy hamlet of Pakipaki, famous for its deep, limestone soils (there’s even a limestone quarry nearby), soils that aren’t your typical base for a place where syrah is more famous for growing in its gravel-rich appellations. Whole-bunch fermented for a … Read More