Ricca Terra Riverland Juicy June 2021 $27 Ash and Holly Ratcliff are the talents behind this early-release (June) blend of grenache and negroamaro grown in the Riverland region of South Australia. They’re about capturing all that youthful, just-harvested energy and you’ll note that in its bright, crimson colour. Unfined and unfiltered, it’s also slightly cloudy … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Known Unknown Flamingo Bridge Pa Rosé 2022
Known Unknown Flamingo Bridge Pa Rosé 2022 $22 Crafted from organic merlot and cabernet franc grapes grown in the iron-rich ‘red gravels’ of Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa wine region and like a true flamingo, it does not care at all for hiding in the background oh no. It’s out there in all its burnished, russety, … Read More
Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2020
Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2020 $44 This new vintage does not disappoint. Bursting with vibrant, forest floor lushness, black tea, tamarillo and taut leather layers on the nose, it opens up in the glass to reveal a solid core of black cherry, cranberry and raspberry. The mouthfeel is ripe and clean with lovely … Read More
Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $26 Grown in Kim and Erica Crawford’s certified organic ‘Woolshed’ block, located in the Lower Dashwood area of Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, this sauvignon is one of my favourites from their fifteen-year history. Why? Because it’s so gently delicious and soothing. It graciously unfurls fresh-cut herbs, plucky passionfruit, peachy tones and … Read More
The Landing Boathouse Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2020
The Landing Boathouse Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2020 $29 If you thought the Bay of Islands was simply a breeding ground for big snapper and crazy kingi’s, then you’ll be overjoyed to know that it’s fast becoming the cradle of some of the nation’s most sensational chardonnay too. With its beautifully balanced nectarine, grapefruit and … Read More
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2021
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2021 $39 Ok, so looking at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 examples, of Trinity Hill’s chardonnay I think, “what have they been feeding the winemakers?” Because there’s something seriously deliciously evil going on. Especially in this vintage. Is it the popcorn drizzled with grapefruit curd? The roast peach and baked … Read More
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Noir 2020
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Noir 2020 $32 Looking for a woolly, spicy, soothing and plum-stacked pinot noir? Then you’ve rolled your scooter down the right street my friend. Earthy, toasty and oozing personality, it’s the Moutere clay soils which inject massive minerality into the mid-palate and alongside a seam of fruitwood smoke and cocoa. Warming, friendly, … Read More
Dame Diesel Central Otago Rosé 2021
Dame Diesel Central Otago Rosé 2021 $25 Crafted from 100% pinot noir from a single vineyard on the slopes of Bannockburn, this rosé raises a middle finger to the current trend of super-lean, delicate, dry styles and really puts itself out there as a bold, generously proportioned, pogo-dancing cougar who couldn’t care less about subtlety. … Read More
Rapaura Springs Rohe Blind River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Rapaura Springs Rohe Blind River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $25 Sourced from the *Awatere Valley sub-region, this single vineyard sauvignon shows why the Awatere’s florality is so distinctive and desirable. Clean, layered with nettles and fresh herbs and stitched together with a thread of minerality, it’s a fresh, vibrantly dry, lengthy sip. *If the Awatere … Read More
Rapaura Springs Rohe Rapaura Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Rapaura Springs Rohe Rapaura Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $25 I’m loving this full-fat version of Marlborough sauvignon. Rich and roaring with tropicality, passionfruit, peach, guava, green apple and buckets of fresh basil, this bright, vibrant sauvignon is laced with a lick of jalapeño and lime on the finish. Fresh, intensely fruity, super-tasty and nicely structured. … Read More