Lemongrass, lime and tangelo zest aromas osmose onto the palate in a wave of cheek-puckering dryness in this tang-fest of a wine. There’s also a waft of beeswax and honeysuckle sneaking through as you take the glass away from your lips. A couple of years in the bottle has this wine developing nicely into a … Read More
2016 Archived Columns
Canvas column week commencing 7th May, 2016
Ah it’s the weekend. My Soc Med-mad teens will no doubt “dab” their way through loads of “lit” YouTube clips, the best of which will be dubbed “legit-ness”. And when I unplug the wifi and demand they go out and get a job, apparently I’ll just be telling a “cool story”. Time to sip and … Read More
Allan Scott Marlborough Riesling 2014 $18 ★★★½
Aromas of green apple, carrot cake spices and musky, honeysuckle and apricot kernel characters all merge together on the palate and crash into a wave of sweetness. There’s a soft, grainy texture to the finish of this tangy example that’ll definitely appeal to those who prefer a more honeyed style of riesling. Sip with: spicy … Read More
Neudorf Rosie’s Block Nelson Chardonnay 2015 $33 ★★★★
Five different clones were hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts and blended to create this buttered-crumpet-smelling chardonnay, which quickly unveils a backbone of grilled nectarine and grapefruit pith alongside deliciously textural, creamy almond characters in the mid palate. It’s a juicy, cheek-puckering style that pretty much makes everything you consume with it positively bounce around … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 14th May, 2016
People think wine writing is glamourous. My diary today has ‘worm the cat’, ‘get dog’s anal glands drained’, ‘buy school shoes for jake’, ‘sort Southern Cross receipts’ and ‘buy new tweezers’ written in it. So yeah. Jealous much? Neudorf Rosie’s Block Nelson Chardonnay 2015 $33 ★★★★ Five different clones were hand harvested, fermented with … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc NV $22
I love the melon and nectarine notes and the deliciously fine bubbles. Lemon and peach flavours ooz through to something deliciously dry and fruity – it’s a nicely structured sparkling wine crafted by Jane Cooper and her team at Matahiwi Estate. It’s a sip that hits the spot in every way and has ‘celebration’ written … Read More
Gunn Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $17.99
Intensely herbaceous on the nose with hints of jalapeno, basil and ripe passionfruit, this is a banging, boldly aromatic wine that’s gently juicy on the palate with nice acidity and length. It’s a superb wine that (luckily for us) is available in supermarkets around the country. If you’re a fan of crunchy-crisp sauvignon that hits … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 21st May, 2016
Let’s say you’ve got $25 max to spend. But you really want a couple of bucks left over to splash on a packet of pork crackling to nibble on with your glass of wine. Fret not. Any of these wines will easily amplify your wallet power… Gunn Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $17.99 Intensely herbaceous … Read More
Mills Reef Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015 $18
The wine has that pinky-gold colour which indicates the juice has spent a touch of time in contact with its skins before the ferment. This not only gives it a spash of colour, it also adds an extra layer of texture to its dry, nashi, quince and apple pie flavours. Sip with: The oldest, most … Read More
Hãhã Brut Cuvee NV $22
Brand new on the market, this fresh and fashionable fizz has lovely lemon-shortbread, macadamia nut and peach brioche characters, alongside a long, lean and ultra-crunchy finish. Sip with: Salmon blinis www.advintage.co.nz