Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2023 $26 Pinot Blanc is extremely rare in New Zealand. It’s like the Maui Dolphin, the Puteketeke or the Archey’s Frog of wine varieties over here with just 11ha in the ground. But what it lacks in mass, it makes up for in marvelousness. Bursting with ripe nectarine, lemon zest, pear … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Blackenbrook Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Blackenbrook Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $23 Well if someone went ahead and created a lemon, lime and peach gelato then that’s exactly what this shiny-bright sauvignon smells like. From a tricky vintage comes a wine with intensely fruity layers that erupt with a fruit salad of tropical and citrus aromas and flavours, it’s a ripe, … Read More
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Rosé 2023
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Rosé 2023 $26 2023 is the 20th year that Ursula and Daniel Schwarzenbach have been growing grapes at Blackenbrook. This is crazy to me because it still feels like yesterday that they burst onto the scene with shiny new wines, a young family and buckets of ambition. This new rosé is dark … Read More
Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir 2019
Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir 2019 $69 One of Martinborough’s foundation wineries, Martinborough Vineyard’s pinot noirs have an aristocratic signature, a spicy edge and delicious dried herb intensity. With its colour of Karma Choc Dahlias and hints of rhubarb and black baccara rose on the nose, it’s an impressive wine with a tonne of … Read More
Big Sky Martinborough Pinot Noir 2021
Big Sky Martinborough Pinot Noir 2021 $45 Katherine Jacobs and Jeremy Corban are the evil geniuses behind Big Sky, one of the most excitingest and one of the most tiniest producers in all ye olde Martinborough. Their vines grow high on the rocky terraces above the Huangarua River and the fruit ripens under the baking … Read More
On Giants Shoulders Martinborough Pinot Gris 2022
On Giants Shoulders Martinborough Pinot Gris 2022 $30 If rich, fleshy pinot gris is your jam then go grab the Molenberg and flick on the toaster buddy because tonight we feast! Crafted by ex-Dry River winemaker Wilco Lam at quite possibly the tiniest winery in the land (a teensy old shed, on the Porters’ Vineyard), … Read More
On Giants’ Shoulders Martinborough Chardonnay 2021
On Giants’ Shoulders Martinborough Chardonnay 2021 $45 I tasted bottle number 1143 of 1578 produced Superb chardonnay here from an exciting Martinborough producer. Its highly refined nose is crammed with baked nectarine and charred pineapple characters and it totally twins where taste is concerned. Youthfully zingy textures help its stylish, stonefruit flavours race around the … Read More
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2022
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2022 $39.99 Bright pineapple and luscious baked nectarine, grilled grapefruit and roast almond aromas and those core elements wash across the palate as well. Bright and juicy and roaring with peachy complexity. The textures in this wine are beautifully balanced, zippy-fresh and crunchy, adding extra oomph to its already powerful … Read More
Obliix Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah Malbec Viognier 2022
Obliix Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah Malbec Viognier 2022 $30 New from Sir George Fistonich and his winemaking team headed by Michelle Richardson comes the Oblix/Obliix brand. This is a hugely floral syrah-dominant wine, fleshed out with 12% malbec and 8% viognier to create a light, bright, highly juicy and fantastically fresh red wine that … Read More
Taylors The Pioneer Clare Valley Shiraz 2016
Taylors The Pioneer Clare Valley Shiraz 2016 $220 I tasted bottle no. 981 This flagship shiraz from the Taylors stable is, in a word, otherworldly. Seductive aromas of red liquorice, baking spices, layers of leather and charred plums lead to a palate awash with rich red berries, caramelised smoky oak, pomegranate molasses and balsamic notes. … Read More