Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Bianco DOC 2018 $40 Crafted from a secretive native Sicilian grape called Carricante planted at 1200m above sea level, (the Mt. Etna DOC has the highest altitude vineyards in Europe), this new vintage hits with almond, lemon, fennel and tarragon notes on the nose while the palate reveals crunchy, green apple … Read More
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Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $24.95 Green peppercorn, violet and blueberry aromatics stand shoulder to shoulder with bright plum and cherry flavours and then they hold hands and do the Gay Gordons (remember primary school folk-dancing?) with smooth, fine-grained oak and skin tannins accentuated by beautifully balanced acidity. Nicely made. http://www.millsreef.co.nz
Urbn Vino Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 500ml
Urbn Vino Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 500ml $28 Classic Central Otago characters of black tea, cherry, redcurrant and cranberry burst forth from fruit trucked directly into the Dunedin CBD and made into wine in New Zealand’s first urban winery. Brendan Seal is the winemaker responsible for the Urbn Vino venture and he’s secured sensational … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016 $24 Re-tasted on June 3rd 2020, this vintage (if you still have it in your cellar or spot one in a shop) is drinking rather superbly. Lashings of plum, chocolate, cherry and berry characters lead to soft, suede-like textures, warm, velvety notes and a long, smooth finish. … Read More
Cappella Sant Andrea Clara Stella San Gimignano Vernaccia 2018
Cappella Sant Andrea Clara Stella San Gimignano Vernaccia 2018 $39.99 From the San Gimignano appellation in Tuscany comes this lean, lovely, lemony white wine made from 100% organically grown vernaccia grapes, that opens up in the glass and with every swirl and sip gives you something different to enjoy. Dry yet generously proportioned and shows … Read More
Moana Park Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 (2nd batch)
Moana Park Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 (2nd batch) $14.99 (http://www.winecentral.co.nz) – $25 One thing Dan Barker knows how to do is make darn nice chardonnay. This is a second batch of later-bottled chardonnay created from 100% Clone 95 fruit from 13 year old vines. It has a different flavour spectrum to the previous 2018 Moana … Read More
Brookfields Ohiti Estate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Brookfields Ohiti Estate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $20 If I were going to choose the most exciting cabernet sauvignon wines from New Zealand that swing in for $20, then the Ohiti Estate from Brookfield’s would be right up there. Bold, plummy, bursting with earthy, roasting pan meatiness and showing a plumpness on the finish … Read More
Squawking Magpie Stoned Crow Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014
Squawking Magpie Stoned Crow Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014 $49.95 Well dip me in pepper and call me spicy! This Gimblett Gravels pioneer just blasts past the competition when it comes to solid syrah. How? For starters the peppercorn, violets, blueberries, cherry and tobacco notes, earthy shadows and layers of leather mean it delivers on the … Read More
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017
Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 $54 If anyone knows how to make exceptional syrah, it’s Steve Skinner. He’s been shepherding Elephant Hill’s fruit from their Bridge Pa, Gimblett Gravels and home vineyard at Te Awanga into the bottle for many many years and his skill is on show here. Blueberry, black pepper, dried … Read More
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019 $28 If you’re looking for a fresh, creamy, apple-packed wine that delivers a cleansing slap around the chops then this Hawke’s Bay grown chenin is just the ticket. Ultra-juicy and stitched together with a solid, mineral thread and finishing with a squeak of peardrop and almond. … Read More