Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2018 $32 SUCH a pretty ruby-garnet colour and heaving with lifted raspberry, boysenberry, blueberry, oh what the heck, every berry! There’s a solid, savoury line through this local version of a Bordeaux classic, of an Argentinean champion, and I love the leather and suede textures that come with that. … Read More
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Massey Dacta Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019
Massey Dacta Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $18 Finding great pinot noir for under thirty bucks isn’t that easy to do, so finding a good-as-gold example roaring in at under twenty is cause for celebration! Crafted by past chair of the Pinot Noir Celebration (that’s how dedicated he is to pinot noir!), it’s named after the … Read More
MKIII Zephyr Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
MKIII Zephyr Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $33.99 Named after the Mark III Ford of the same brand, a sleek, 15ft long vehicle that made up for its lack of legroom with lashings of ladykilling style. Such a fan is winemaker Ben Glover of this motor, that he named his own, limited edition sauvignon blanc after … Read More
Zephyr Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Zephyr Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $22 If you’re looking for a womp-bop-a-loo-bop, tutti-frutti, my boy lollipop sauvigon blanc, then you’re on the wrong karaoke mic my friend, because this bottle of Ben Glover-grown gorgeousness is on the saucy but subtle side. Think lemongrass, baby basil, pea pods and lemon zest, it’s acidity has just the … Read More
Zephyr Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019
Zephyr Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 $23 With its soft, rose-gold hue, quince, 5-spice and fresh pear aromatics and its zesty, perky mid-palate, it’s a beautifully balanced, fresh and frisky style of pinot gris that’ll have the whole table buzzing from the first pour (that’s if you’re up for sharing it). Clean, perky and heaving with … Read More
Matahiwi Holly Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Matahiwi Holly Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $22 (normally $31.99) As soon as the cap comes off the bottle and you begin to pour this into your glass, you’re hit with a cloud of concentrated stonefruit cuddled in buttered crumpets and toasted almonds. It’s a lovely wine with fresh, buoyant acidity, creamy, nougat-like complexity, a solid … Read More
Goldie Estate Waiheke Island Syrah 2016
Goldie Estate Waiheke Island Syrah 2016 $44 Heinrich Storm not only has the most fierce name in all of New Zealand winemaking, he’s also young, bouncy and ferociously talented on the syrah front. Four years on since vintage and this delicious thing is beginning to move on from the trot and break into a canter … Read More
Goldie Estate Waiheke Island Merlot Cabernet 2018
Goldie Estate Waiheke Island Merlot Cabernet 2018 $26 Super-bright and berry driven, this merlot cabernet blend is ferociously flavoursome on the fruit-front (that’s my alliteration quota filled for this note) and I’m a huge fan of its mid-palate textures. It’s like a gentle giant of a wine, plush and velvety, but big on personality. Nicely … Read More
Montes Alpha Black Label Casablanca Valley Chardonnay 2015
Montes Alpha Black Label Casablanca Valley Chardonnay 2015 $39.99 If the only thing you know about Chilean chardonnay is that it’s the favourite tipple of erotic fiction author Rocky Flintstone (all you ‘My Dad Wrote A P**no’ podcast fans know what I mean), then hold onto your pots and pans and prepare for a toasty … Read More
Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Chardonnay 2019
Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Chardonnay 2019 $24 Matahiwi means ‘raised ridge’ in Maori, and it’s named for the landform on Paierua Road where the vineyard and winery are located. ‘Holly’ is a wine that I eagerly anticipate every year because it indicates a step up from Matahiwi’s normal chardonnay (and they’re always pretty impressive … Read More