Eaton The Bench Blend Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $39.99 Sourced from Mike Eaton’s Thistle Hill and Saint Luke’s vineyards in the Awatere Valley and more southern Flaxbourne sub-regions, this sauvignon dances the Maxina around the mouth, tripping across lemongrass, watercress, white nectarine, and fresh-cut lawns of loveliness. Mike has created something incredibly fresh and complex … Read More
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Eaton Thistle Hill Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Eaton Thistle Hill Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $64 The Thistle Hill Vineyard is owned by the Hickman family, who planted it on their ‘Taimate’ Angus stud farm, located a 30-minute drive south of Blenheim. Soon after planting, it became very clear that the farm’s sunbaked soils signified manna from heaven for sauvignon blanc. … Read More
Eaton Fortissimo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Eaton Fortissimo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $48 Google says ‘fortissimo’ means ‘loud,’ yet this sensational take on sauvignon by Mike Eaton is soft and quietly sexy. Marzipan and citrus marshmallow notes on the nose lead to delicious complexity from a full malolactic fermentation and extended aging in older Tonnellerie-Ermitage barrels. Unfined and unfiltered, it may … Read More
Eaton Flaxbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Eaton Flaxbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $31-$48 Prepare for a hit of marzipan and preserved lemon on your lips as soon as you raise your glass facewards. Sourced from Mike Eaton’s Breezemere and Thistle Hill vineyards located in the Flaxbourne region of Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, this sauvignon also shows his signature pillowy, creamy texture and … Read More
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2014
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2014 $50 (not yet released) Inky dark and oozing that gorgeous menthol, bay and concentrated boysenberry notes that give me the cabernet-dominant goosebumps, this classic blend cries out to be sipped and savoured over a slab of steak or a Lada-full of slow-cooked lentils, or a mountainous plate … Read More
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $22 While it says 75% of the juice was barrel fermented on the back label, this is not an overly smoky, funky style at all. In fact the barrel fermentation has accentuated the limey, mineral nature of the wine and created a ripe, yet very complex style that … Read More
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Ruby Syrah 2019
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Ruby Syrah 2019 375ml $29 Oh the colour!!! Wow. It is a riot of crimson, ruby, magenta and garnet-gilded gorgeousness! Bold, peppery, Bridge Pa-grown syrah has been finely fortified to 20% and nursed into a 375ml bottle. This is good. A larger bottle would have been dangerous, for me at … Read More
Linden Estate NV Port
Made from mostly pinot noir blended with a little merlot that’s aged for 10 years in old French oak, is the Linden Estate NV Port ($27) Fruit is hand-harvested at the absolute highest ripeness level achievable for the given year and where possible, botrytised grapes are added to enhance the apricot notes in this sensationally … Read More
Charles Wiffen Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018
Charles Wiffen Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $29 Very lightly coloured and very fruity, it’s a lightly styled, very juicy pinot noir that is good, but in my view is overpriced for the quality of the vintage. It’s pleasant enough but lacks the depth and focus you’d expect at this price range. www.charleswiffenwines.co.nz
Cottier Gladstone Pinot Noir 2016
Cottier Gladstone Pinot Noir 2016 $28.50 Grown on that famous stretch of Wairarapa wine country, Dakins Road, this pinot noir captures the classic liquorice character which glows in many Gladstone district examples. It boasts an earthy backbone, loads of savoury character and a tonne of spice to cloak powdery tannins. Cherry and wild rhubarb dominate … Read More