Unison Excalibur Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014 $38 I love that the punch of peppery syrah adds an extra flick to the tail of this warm, smooth, fulsome and velvety blend. Seriously aromatic, with dried herbs, carpenters cabin and cocoa characters, seven years on from harvest and just starting to swell and hit … Read More
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Domaine Maurice Lecestre Grand Vin de Bourgogne Chablis 2019
Domaine Maurice Lecestre Grand Vin de Bourgogne Chablis 2019 $45 If you’re assuming Chablis will always be lean, mineral-driven and bony to drink, then Taylor Swift it and shake it off, because this is a fulsome, creamy example with almond and nectarine notes that’ll bring the grins. Gentle, juicy and laced with cashew, peach and … Read More
Jaffelin Vin de France Pinot Noir 2018
Jaffelin Vin de France Pinot Noir 2018 $24 Crafted predominantly from pinot noir grown in the Mâcon area in Burgundy, with a splash of fruit from the Loire and the Languedoc-Roussillon, this is a superb little pinot noir that’ll curl your eyes and make your toes see in the dark. Youthful, juicy, chock-ful of wild … Read More
Vitteaut-Alberti Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Blanc De Noirs NV
Vitteaut-Alberti Crémant De Bourgogne Brut Blanc De Noirs NV $45 Vitteaut-Alberti (veet-oh alberr (be sure to roll the ‘r’s) rrty) has been turning out superb sparkling wine since 1951. This 100% pinot noir is made in the same way as Champagne, however with grapes coming from the Côte Chalonnaise and the Côte de Beaune, it … Read More
Domain Road Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Domain Road Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $23 Central Otago has well and truly proven that Marlborough is not always the centre of the sauvignon blanc universe, meaning I’m well-chuffed to be able to bring you this absolute banger from Bannockburn. Planted in three locations, Templars Hill, Doctor’s Flat and on a corner of their … Read More
Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2019
Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2019 $20.99 Golden in the glass and showing distinctive honeyed, beeswaxy aromas from some earlier-picked and later-ripened fruit being included in the mix. They’re aiming for ‘a classic Alsatian style with a North Canterbury twist’, so the grapes were all fermented in stainless steel tanks to preserve freshness and … Read More
Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Pinot Gris 2020
Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Pinot Gris 2020 $27 Grown on Graeme Crosbie’s ‘Defiance’ vineyard on Felton Road, this shiny new Pinot Gris is explosively fresh, frisky and fanging with flavour. Think white peach, Golden Delicious apples, quince and nashi niceness on the nose and palate and a clean, crunchy finish that’s like a luscious … Read More
Wither Hills the Honourable Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Wither Hills the Honourable Taylor River Run Pinot Noir 2017 $74.99 In a kind of back-to-front fashion, I tasted the newer, 2018 vintage of this wine before being fortunate enough to see a glass of this, the 2017. Named after The Honourable Charles Bigg Wither, who purchased the Taylor River Run no.14 back in 1848. … Read More
Wither Hills Early Light Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019
Wither Hills Early Light Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 $17.99 Weighing in at a positively demure 9.5% alcohol, this smooth, softly-juicy Pinot Gris was able to pack in solid amounts of peach, nashi pear and Golden Delicious apple into every sip without the heavy alcohol hit, by being harvested early to capture good flavours without the … Read More
Wither Hills Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Wither Hills Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $21.99 If plump, plush, earthy-edged, fleshy merlot is your bag, then get set for a tote-ally (geddit) smooth and saucy experience with this super sipper from Wither Hills. Soft caramelised oak gives a hint of smoke and plummy, red berry notes round out the palate. Nicely done. http://www.witherhills.co.nz