Terra Sancta The Italian Central Otago Red Blend NV $44.95 Who’d have thought you could sip a slurp of Italy all the ways down in Central Otago? Not me. But then that was before I tasted their blend of dolcetto, lagrein and barbera grown in the Winery Hill and Little Italy blocks of their Bannockburn … Read More
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Millton Vineyard Libiamo Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2020
Millton Vineyard Libiamo Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2020 $40 I know ‘Libiamo’ translates to ‘Let’s Drink’ but unfortunately, as much as I’m a gewürz nut, I couldn’t bring myself to drink more than a few sips of this wine. Maybe I’m missing something, probably am, as I often do. And maybe I’m too simple in my tastes, … Read More
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir Rosé 2020
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 $24.99 Sometimes I make myself do a personal SWOT analysis and it’s never pleasant. The main reason I force myself through this excruciating exercise is so that I can reward-slash-console myself at its conclusion with something delicious made by Emma Lowe at Monowai. Her new rosé brings the … Read More
Eaton Fforte Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Eaton Fforte Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $47.99 This is a whole heap of sauvignon blanc and some. Carefully hand-harvested with gloves made from the spare fur from new kittens, the juice is given extended contact with its skins to add texture and a lick of astringency before being gently separated in a traditional basket press … Read More
The Hunting Lodge Seasonal Marlborough Pinot Gris 2020
The Hunting Lodge Seasonal Marlborough Pinot Gris 2020 $27 While the Hunting Lodge kids are based on the old Matua vineyard and winery out in West Auckland, they’re wizards at sourcing superb pinot gris fruit from Marlborough. With nostril-numbing nuances of nashi and palate-quenching poached quince characters (take that Mrs Brown from 6th form English, … Read More
Ash Ridge Estate Bridge Pa Triangle Pinot Gris 2021
Ash Ridge Estate Bridge Pa Triangle Pinot Gris 2021 $22 What’s that you’re smelling? Only a sensational 2021 pinot gris harvest in the Bridge Pa Triangle that’s what. Simple, classic, yet also bursting with ripe apple strudel and nashi juice aromatics alongside quince, white pepper, baked apple flavours, banging acidity and deeply generous textures, it’s … Read More
Collaboration Wines Aurulent Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Collaboration Wines Aurulent Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $36 Ever had that feeling, like when you’re watching a young sportsperson make a showstopping debut, or an underdog artist give the performance of a lifetime, that you’re witnessing history happen and they’re about to become seriously famous? That’s how I felt as soon as I sipped this … Read More
Canvas Drinks June 5 2021
Canvas Drinks June 5 2021 The Great Kiwi Cheeseburger I can’t think of anything nicer to wash down mouthfuls of juicy, beefy burger than the Esk Valley Artisanal Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 ($24.99). It’s bursting with bright berries, omega plum, cherry and smoked blueberries on the nose and palate. Meaty, peppery, spice-saturated … Read More
TRINITY HILL Gimblett Gravels Prison Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
TRINITY HILL Gimblett Gravels Prison Block Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $120 Deep, dark, intensely fruity, spicy, toasty, earthy, cocoa-crammed and leather-laden, it’s a lovely, muscular example crafted from grapes grown beside the Ngaruroro River on a stony site once destined to be a correctional facility. This 100% cabernet sauvignon absolutely screams tobacco, dark plum, bouquet garni … Read More
Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2020
Esk Valley Artisanal Collection Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2020 $25 One of the things winemaker Gordon Russell knows about chenin blanc, is that if you give it an inch, it’ll take a mile. You’ve got to keep it semi-starved and its vigour in check in order to produce these gorgeous apple and honeysuckle-centric flavours. It’s … Read More