Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Chardonnay 2017

24 June 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $39.99 Planted in December 2010, this vineyard gets a little bit of ‘sandblasting’ and occasional ‘deer damage’ from the wind according to Mondo Kopua, vineyard manager.  The smokiness comes from a full-solids ferment in barrel  50/50 wild + innoculated.  It sits for 10 months in 20% new oak and … Read More

Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Riesling 2018

24 June 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Riesling 2018 $29.99 3.5g/lRS ph3.0 meaning this is a very decently dry riesling from a ‘select pick’ (where a team will be instructed to only pick the ‘golden’ bunches on one day, then progressively doing that during the vintage.  Green apple, lime, minerality, old world style winemaking used, as in, oxidative … Read More

Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018

24 June 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $29.99 Under organic trial management for around 5 years, 2ha 3 cane pruned from the Arapoto block.  Hand-picked and offers huge aromatics from a very challenging vintage.  Lemongrass, lemonade, white florals, peachy tones, passionfruit and bruised basil.  Lovely fruit concentration, creamy phenolics and a total joy to drink.  … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Pinot Noir 2017

24 June 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Pinot Noir 2017 $34.99 3 clones of pinot noir abel, 777, 115 are used in the makeup of this wine which has huge aromatics.  Wild red berries, woolly, lanolin, sandalwood, spice, hints of bay, super-fresh acidity and the tannins are stalky and solid.  Warming and smooth, black olive and some soy … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Chardonnay 2017

24 June 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Chardonnay 2017 $34.99 Mostly Mendoza clone fruit (with some clone 15) grown in the upper Moutere valley, handpicked, aromas of soft grapefruit pith, lemon, poached peach and popcorn.  50/50 wild ferment and innocculation creates a wine that’s fresh and attractively structured in the mouth. Boasting zesty acidity, excellent length of flavour … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Albariño 2018

24 June 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Albariño 2018 $29.99 bright white peach and white pepper aromatics, hints of apricot, mid-palate richness and nicely balanced acidity.  Citrus oil notes on the finish (almost viognier-like) – nice minerality and a creamy undertone, high phenolics and fantastic length of flavour.  Albariño has very loose ‘bunch architecture’ which suits Nelson’s humidity. … Read More

I Am George Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

22 June 2019By Yvonne

I Am George Limestone Coast Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 $22.99 Steve Meyer is the Chief Winemaker responsible for the I Am George wines (released in New Zealand in 2018), a red wine brand created in tribute to the legacy of George Wyndham, one of the pioneers of Australian wine.  The story has it Wyndham arrived in … Read More

Rapaura Springs The Springs Vineyard Marlborough Verdelho 2017

20 June 2019By Yvonne

Rapaura Springs The Springs Vineyard Marlborough Verdelho 2017 $32.99 Summer flowers, aromatic, crunchy stonefruit and buckets of soft herbs and white peachy and basil and bouyant and bold.  Lemon pith, complex, white pepper and nectarine notes.  I really love this wine because of its a funky fabulousness.  

Fontanafredda Le Fronde Moscato d’Asti 2013

19 June 2019By Yvonne

Fontanafredda Le Fronde Moscato d’Asti 2013 $35 At just 5% alcohol, this is a super-light, super-sweet little sip that’ll perk up even the most jaded tastebuds.  Forget any past experiences with bad old, mass-produced Asti because this is the genuine article.  Pure, uncut awesomeness.  With a deliciously delicate, creamy mousse, lifted, musky apricot and honeysuckle … Read More

Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017

11 June 2019By Yvonne

Lamb and Chorizo Sausage Plait (dish Aug Sept 2019) A fruit-forward, soft, plush pinot noir is exactly what this spicy, family-sized sausage roll.  The Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 ($28) ticks all those boxes and more.  Ripe cherry, raspberry and even a tiny squeak of beetroot all erupt from the glass and the flavours are … Read More