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
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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
Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto Rosato 2019
Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto Rosato 2019 $28 I can’t tell you how many times I’ve rung David Hoskins at Heron’s Flight to ask if his new Dolcetto rosato is available. Yes he withdrew the non-contact order and we’re communicating through a mediator, but we’re cool, because he gave me what I wanted. Finally. Unique to … Read More
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019 $29 Returning to his dry-style roots not seen since 2013, winemaker Gordon Russell has taken fruit for the first time from Ian and Linda Quinn’s Two Terraces Vineyard located west of Hastings in Maraekakaho where they grow two clones of chenin, 220 and 880. Handpicked, cooled … Read More
Kererū Brewing Black Swan Barrel-Aged Belgian Ale 2018
Kererū Brewing Black Swan Barrel-Aged Belgian Ale 2018 $34 Reviewed in dish Magazine July/August 2020 and paired with Sticky Asian Beef Short Ribs Holy smokin’ sweet stuff Batman! The luxuriosity (new word) of the Kererū Black Swan Whisky Barrel Aged Belgian Ale 2018 500ml ($37) is exactly what’s called for with these sensationally sticky, spicy … Read More
Wairiki Estate The Redeemer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018
Wairiki Estate The Redeemer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018 $39.99 Crafted out in Mangatahi, on terraces high above the Ngaruroro river in the Maraekakaho area of Hawke’s Bay, it’s a seriously fragrant, cherry and dried herb-hefty style from a brand so small and under the radar, they’re practically subterranean. There’s a black tea and cranberry … Read More
Flying Sheep Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Flying Sheep Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $35 Flying Sheep is Osawa Wines little brother brand and is named after (supposedly) a reference early Hawke’s Bay settlers had for the fluffy clouds that glided across the regions’ vast blue skies. From fruit grown in some of the oldest soils on the Heretaunga Plains, comes … Read More