Zaria Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $25 I love how winemaker Bryce Edmonds has such devotion to merlot. He always lets the vintage speak for itself, which is why each new release, to me, is so surprising and interesting. The 2018 is new to the market, but tastes like it’s been in the bottle for years. … Read More
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Peckham’s Cidre de Glace
Peckham’s Cidre De Glace 375ml 9.8% abv ($14.99). It’s like an ‘ice wine’ made with special Jonagold cider apples. The juice is frozen then allowed to thaw, but only 35% of the thawed liquid is kept to ferment and the result is incredibly intense and toffee-tastic. Super-sweet, yet zesty and crisp, there’s a purity and … Read More
Chard Farm River Run Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Chard Farm River Run Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $35 Looking for a lush, plush, pinot that’s perky in all the right places? Here’s your thing Chandler Bing. Designed to hit you with classic cherry, baked raspberry and redcurrant razziness (technical term there), the River Run also has a seam of savoury spice and a … Read More
Sacred Hill Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Sacred Hill Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $27.99 Brand new from one of New Zealand’s best-loved brands, is this ‘single vineyard’ range which includes chardonnay and syrah to join this little lovely. This pinot noir is juicy juicy juicy. And despite its relatively pale colour, it heaves with cherry, wild raspberry and red fruit … Read More
Capital Cider Co Love & Money Mixed Berry Cider
Capital Cider Co Love & Money Mixed Berry Cider 440ml can Nelson’s Capital Cider Co have created a mixed berry option that is dry – yusss!! Clean, zesty and with definite apple backbone, this cider, served super-chilled, has got summer 2020 written all over it. It’s an excellent dry style with attitude and awesome length … Read More
Capital Cider Co. Easy Rider Classic 440ml can
Capital Cider Co. Easy Rider Classic 440ml can Ripe and cleansing and smooth to drink, bursting with apple purity and classic texture, a tweak of sweetness and a long, rich, stylish mouthfeel. This could very well be my favourite of the whole lot. Creamy and very tidily put together, it’s a rewarding thing to sip.
Capital Cider Co. Winning Kaffir Lime, Lemon and Juniper Cider 440ml can
Capital Cider Co. Winning Kaffir Lime, Lemon and Juniper Cider 440ml can The lime quotient is just a sneaky element in the corner, the lemon and juniper provide a soft cloak for the apple base but the mouthfeel is thinner than I’d prefer, but those who like a lighter style of cider may really enjoy … Read More
Capital Cider Co. K.I.S.S Dry Nelson Cider
Capital Cider Co. K.I.S.S Dry Nelson Cider 440ml Can I really like the nose on this cider because it is bursting with punchy apple aromas, green apple skin, a teensy hint of bitterness and the acidity is fresh and there’s a twang of sour that injects extra complexity and adds to the zesty finish and … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $29.99 Subtle yet wild-at-heart aromas of cherry and baked raspberry leap out of the glass and in the mouth it’s got that ‘young wine’ friskiness that comes with high acidity – yet there’s an underlying savouriness and structure that supports the ability to age. But right now it’s a … Read More
Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Waipara Chardonnay 2016
Pegasus Bay Virtuoso Waipara Chardonnay 2016 $60 I don’t know what Mat Donaldson and the team at Pegasus Bay did in their past lives, but clearly they were lovely to puppies, helped lots of elderly people across the street, paid their taxes and put teaspoons of sugar water out for tired bumblebees to drink, because … Read More