Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $29.99 Dark and moody and broody to look at, and to sniff, and to taste, and to talk to your mates about, this pinot noir has power and solid, savoury punchiness. Cherry, leather, baked rhubarb and boatloads of rosehip tea – it’s all here in a pinot noir for … Read More
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Black Barn Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Black Barn Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $39 If you were wondering what the 2019 vintage was like for the great players in Hawke’s Bay chardonnay – then let it be known that it was, if this wine is any indicator, rather great. This is a wine that I look forward to each year … Read More
Joseph Cattin Alsace Grand Cru Hatschbourg Pinot Gris 2012
Joseph Cattin Alsace Grand Cru Hatschbourg Pinot Gris 2012 ($40approx) Having a side-hustle was a thing even back in the early1700’s when young François Cattin moonlighted as a winemaker to supplement his job as a builder (back then they weren’t in such high demand). The Hatschbourg vineyard itself dates back to the 16th century! Eleven … Read More
Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019
Hawkshead Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 $29 William Swainson, Fellow of the Royal Society was a natural history scholar, a naturalist who arrived in New Zealand in 1841 and Hawkshead was the name of his first home here. He shouldn’t be confused with a ‘naturist’ which is someone who prefers nudity wherever possible. Although what … Read More
Gibbston Valley School House Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019
Gibbston Valley School House Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 $39 I have been literally hopping from foot to foot waiting for this new vintage to be let out the gate from the good folk at Gibbston Valley – and believe me the wait was worth wearing holes in my shoes and the double knee replacement. … Read More
Kennedy Point Organic Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Kennedy Point Organic Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $29 I love the way the pohutukawa trees on the label look as though they’re dancing a tango. Very apt considering the meaty, gravy-boat notes in this organic, Bridge Pa-grown glass of goodness tend to sashay across the palate rather perfectly. Determined to preserve its original character, winemaker … Read More
Fifth Bridge Central Otago Rose 2018
Fifth Bridge Central Otago Rose 2018 $19 Pop this pinot noir-based rosé in the fridge immediately! Leave it for 40mins or so and then relish the raspberry, strawberry, cherry, indeed ‘every berry’ that’ll irrigate your olfactory passages. That slight chill accentuates the acidity and hints of savoury spice that pinot noir is famous for while … Read More
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2014
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2014 $50 (release date tbc) 2014 had Ronald McDonald-sized shoes to fill seeing as 2013 was hailed as ‘the vintage of the century’ by Hawke’s Bay winemakers, yet this new vintage is sneaking up in spectacular fashion. More elegant in its approach, the core is of blueberry, leather, a click … Read More
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2018
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2018 $32 SUCH a pretty ruby-garnet colour and heaving with lifted raspberry, boysenberry, blueberry, oh what the heck, every berry! There’s a solid, savoury line through this local version of a Bordeaux classic, of an Argentinean champion, and I love the leather and suede textures that come with that. … Read More
Massey Dacta Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019
Massey Dacta Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $18 Finding great pinot noir for under thirty bucks isn’t that easy to do, so finding a good-as-gold example roaring in at under twenty is cause for celebration! Crafted by past chair of the Pinot Noir Celebration (that’s how dedicated he is to pinot noir!), it’s named after the … Read More