Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2017 $39.99 Wow and what-the-blazes and woah Nelly! This chardonnay is all about a-hollerin’ and a-hootin’ to the world how exceptionally fantastic the Gimblett Gravels is at turning out clean yet character-packed chardonnay that handles oak like a brain surgeon, light-fingered yet powerfully in tune with what they’re working … Read More
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Mills Reef Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Mills Reef Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $23.99 If you’re able to get your hands on this vintage then you’re a lucky sausage – because there’s precious little available and yet it’s drinking SOOOOO (that’s 5 ‘o’s so it’s a banger) nicely. Smooth and cherry-driven, layered with black tea and cocoa and showing a luscious … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $49.99 I’m convinced Rod McDonald, winemaker and owner of Te Awanga Estate, actually has syrah running through is veins instead of blood. He’s so intuitive with each vintage, it’s like he and those grapes have telepathic connections that work to create deliciousness in the bottle every … Read More
Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2015
Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Gisborne Gewürztraminer 2015 $26 Righto. So it’s to be kind of expected that a wild and woolly, funky and frisky, organically, biodynamically produced gewurztraminer will look, smell and taste different to the norm. This is what you’ll find in the Millton 2015. Bronze-coloured in the glass and offering manuka honey, fusel, spice … Read More
Summerhouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Summerhouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $16.99 It’s a tropical nirvana of guava, passionfruit, pineapple, papaya and plane-loads of punchy citrus for good measure. It’s exactly the style of sauvignon blanc that will wow the crowds and please the masses and bring the grins. Ripe, fleshy and riddled with wham-a-lam-a-ding-dong deliciousness for under twenty bucks that … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Te Awanga Estate Quarter Acre Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $49.99 Te Awanga Estate’s owner Rod McDonald, has been named in the inaugural ‘Master Winemaker 100’ list, a prestigious who’s who of top global winemakers compiled by reputable magazine the drinks business (UK) – so what you’re holding in your hand is a glass of his … Read More
Kererū Tommancho Ancho Chili & Smoked Nectarine Golden Ale
Kererū Tommancho Ancho Chili & Smoked Nectarine Golden Ale 500ml $8 I thought about whether 5 minutes of my time was best spent doing something productive or whether that time would be better used to fang out to the fridge in the shed to grab a bottle of the brand new Kererū Tommancho Ancho Chili … Read More
Te Awanga Estate One Off Silky Smooth Organic Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Te Awanga Estate One-Off Silky Smooth Organic Hawke’s Bay Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $34.99 Yes, it’s a mouthful to say, but this is where Italy and France smash together to create a harmonious blend of dark, blueberry fruits, espresso, leather and bay leafy loveliness. Looking at the label, you may expect a heavyweight honker, yet … Read More
Hunter’s Wines Offshoot Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019
Hunter’s Wines Offshoot Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $24.90 Young winemaker James Macdonald has really stretched the elastics out in his jumping game (any girl who grew up in the ’80s will get this) and this pinot noir is lush, plush, ripe and seriously, super-easy-to-sip. The texture is slightly powdery and darn noice (it’s a word) … Read More
Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018
Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018 $28 Well I’ll be darned. Mark and Sophie McGill are proven gurus when it comes to making great quality cider. That’s their background, that’s their strength. They should stick with that right? So why did they decide to segway from apples to grapes? Who knows. But I’m pleased they did … Read More