Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019

28 October 2019By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019 ($25) Holy buckets of lychee Batman!  This wine unleashes a lahar of luscious stonefruit succulence and tropical taste sensations on the nose and palate, alongside a sprinkling of ginger, white pepper and nashi niceness.  Crisp, textural and deliciously dry on the finish, it wraps itself around anything tandoori terrifically. www.blackenbrook.co.nz

Te Mata Estate Bullnose Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

16 October 2019By Yvonne

Te Mata Estate Bullnose Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $66 Shiny new and showing gorgeously lifted colour, and aromas of plum, mulberry, hedgerow fruits, green peppercorn and peppery spices, violets and the character of freshly-tilled soil and has incredible minerality.

Te Mata Estate Alma Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018

16 October 2019By Yvonne

Te Mata Estate Alma Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018 $60 Ultra-bright and bouncing with broody cherry and mulberry fruit, it’s fresh, vibrant and showing great depth and developing character.  The fruit appears ripe and yet shows restraint and the tannins have good cling and I feel they’ll integrate further with the fruit over time.  Savoury … Read More

Hawke’s Bay Regional Tasting 16 Oct 2019

16 October 2019By Yvonne

Te Mata Elston Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $39.90 Lifted aromas of apple, pineapple, white peach, lemon and a lick of sweet macadamia and fresh acidity and that adds complexity and zest to the lengthy finish.  Finely structured and incredibly cleansing to consume, it’s absolutely lovely,

TW Reserve Gisborne Reserve Chardonnay 2018

2 October 2019By Yvonne

TW Reserve Gisborne Reserve Chardonnay 2018 $27 Bottled on the 29th March 2019, this chardonnay is shaping up to be quite something special. Ripe, rumpty and ready for action with buckets of roast nectarine, creamy, cashew and almond layers and a plush, juicy mouthfeel.  This classic Gisborne chardonnay is a huge crowd-pleaser and ultra-long on … Read More

Zaria Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018

24 September 2019By Yvonne

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

Peckham’s Cidre de Glace

23 September 2019By Yvonne

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

6 September 2019By Yvonne

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

2 September 2019By Yvonne

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