Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2021 ($45) Paired with: Apricot and Almond Baklava Tart in Canvas Magazine in the NZ Herald Feb 12 2022 and Cheesy mushroom and tarragon croque monsieur in dish Magazine Issue 102 Two things are guaranteed to happen as soon as you launch into this tart and sip this outrageously … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $21 I have no idea what grapes have been used to craft this fabulously floral, spice-edged rosé and I’m fine with not knowing. I need more mystery in my life. Bursting with cherry and peachy notes on the nose and crunchy-fresh redcurrant and soft apple characers in … Read More
Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021
Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 $23 Paired with: Turkish roast chicken and eggplant in dish Magazine Issue 102 With a smorgasbord of spice going on in this ravishing roast, choose an aromatic wine that accentuates those roasty toasty flavours, yet adds intensely cleansing crispness. Then let me introduce the Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 ($23). Deliciously … Read More
Chard Farm Mata-Au Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019
Chard Farm Mata-Au Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $47 Paired with: Pistachio and mint kofta with fresh herb sauce in dish Magazine Issue 102 I owe my love of food to discovering kofta at the old Merchant Mezze Bar on the corner of Queen St & Mayoral Drive, Auckland. And my lifelong love of pinot … Read More
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 $19.50 Paired with: Orecchiette with broccoli, brown butter and hazelnut crumb in dish Magazine Issue 102 The second I see the words ‘brown butter’ and ‘hazelnut’ is the second I’m reaching for the nutmeg-dusted, nashi-saturated niceness of the Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 ($19.50) With clean, … Read More
Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2019
Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 $32 In dish Magazine Issue 102 Paired with Dukkah crusted salmon skewers Salmon of any description always suits chardonnay, but when it gets deliciously dukkah-ry, then the Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 ($32) should absolutely be your first port of call. It’s rolling in soft ripe peachy plushness, elegant, creamy textures, and … Read More
Leftfield New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Leftfield New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $16 Crafted from a blend of grapes sourced from Nelson, Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, this snappy, crunchy-crisp, magical mixed-breed of a sauvignon roars with so much flavour it’s like rolling maul of lemongrass, lime zest, punchy passionfruit and nectarine stacked niceness in every sip. Hefty herbaceousness and marathon length … Read More
Brookfields Highland Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020
Brookfields Highland Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020 $44 Clothed in a platinum label with a ribbon of owner/winemaker Peter Robertson’s family tartan, the grapes for this vintage were grown in a tiny vineyard in Mere Road, in the middle of the famed Gimblett Gravels sub-region. 2020 is being touted as the ‘perfect’ vintage for Hawke’s Bay … Read More
Butterworth Martinborough Dry Riesling 2021
Butterworth Martinborough Dry Riesling 2021 $35 With solid apple intensity and layers of lime in every corner, this is a riesling that heaves with honeysuckle yet roars with beautifully balanced, dry, mineral intensity. Clean, lengthy and perks up the palate brilliantly. Butterworth Estate
The Greatest Te Mata Estate Coleraine Vintage Ever?
Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Coleraine 2020 $130 2020 heralds the 36th release of New Zealand’s most famous red wine and the one that the Buck family are calling “the best in Te Mata’s history”. CEO Nick Buck said 2020 was “Simply perfect” and with tiny berries, alongside massive extract and tension, Te Mata’s winemaker … Read More