Brass Knocker Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $21.90 Scarlet-bright in the glass and showing soft spices, black tea, blueberry and cherry on the nose and palate. The acidity is firm and fresh (as you’d expect from its youth), however it’s got good ‘pinosity’ or pinot-presence in the mouth. It’s a very attractive, glossy wine in … Read More
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The Darling Arnst Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2017
The Darling Arnst Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2017 $27.20 Famous for what it doesn’t contain, this organic, unfined, unfiltered, vegan-friendly gewürztraminer is snappy and dry and heaving with ginger, citrus and spice. It’s on the edge, it’s running through the night, it’s got a haircut that’d earn a detention at school and chances are, it’s not the … Read More
Bostock Vicki’s Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017
Bostock Vicki’s Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 $70 Grown at Ngatarawa in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa Triangle district, this organically produced merlot is incredibly elegant and stylish and shows classic cocoa, plum, espresso, dark berries and plump, velvety textures. Named after the lovely Vicki Bostock, organic agriculture champion and late wife of Johnny Bostock, this … Read More
Coxhead Creek Inlet Red Matakana Cabernet Franc 2013
Coxhead Creek Inlet Red Matakana Cabernet Franc 2013 $18 That waft of vanilla smoke on the nose indicates that winemaker Warren Knudsen has made excellent use of a combination of French and American oak. That oak wraps around the bay leaf, blackcurrant, and leather layers in this strapping wine from our northern climes. Solid tannins … Read More
Jules Taylor OTQ Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2019
Jules Taylor OTQ Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 $39 Can you even believe the gorgeousness of this bottle? It shouldn’t matter, but lordy! It looks like money on the table, right? Happily the wine inside is just as crisp, crunchy, yet also opulent and exotic. I love the highwire elegance of the aromatics and the … Read More
La Vigne Di Zamò Friuli Colli Orientali Ribolla Gialla 2018
La Vigne Di Zamò Friuli Colli Orientali Ribolla Gialla 2018 $40 The Friuli Colli Orientali appellation is an area in the Northeast of Italy located in the municipality of Manzano which is in the province of Udine (get out your maps kids) and it’s famous for producing crisp, apple and lemon-laden white wines using Ribolla … Read More
Cusumano Alta Mora Etna Bianco DOC 2018
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
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