Ellero Pisa Terrace Central Otago Riesling 2015 $25 Gleaned from the last letters of Californian’s-cum-Central Otagians, Roberta Manell Montero and John Montero, Ellero is a 16ha operation in the Pisa Terrace sub-region, an area famed for injecting intense minerality and character into every grape grown there. This riesling has soaked up all that and more. … Read More
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Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 $21.99 A squeak of skin contact has given this gris a super-sexy rose-gold blush in the glass and aroma-wise it ticks all the boxes in terms of quince, baked pear, peachy notes and all sorts of fresh spices that also osmose across the palate. The acidity … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $17.99 I was tasting this wine whilst looking at a recipe for Spinach, Pea & Parmesan Risotto and sauvignon blanc immediately springs to mind the second I see spinach and peas in any recipe. But you don’t want just any old sauvignon, oh no. You need … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $18-$22 If I was giving out ribbons and bells for the most consistent, value-for-money-under-the-radar-chardonnay over the last 4 years the Matahiwi would be a veritable morris dancer of a sip. Shiny and new, with tropical fruit up the wazoo, expect an extra lash of peach, rockmelon, guava, grapefruit, toast … Read More
Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Pinot Blanc 2018
Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Pinot Blanc 2018 $29.99 Definitely an alternative for anyone who loves chardonnay, this pinot blanc (a clonal offshoot of pinot gris) shows beautiful white pepper, roast stonefruit, zesty acidity, toasty layers, crispness and great mid-palate richness. Textural complexity and it has that kind of mysterious, alluring, sexiness that keeps you sipping … Read More
Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $41.99 This wine is replacing the Rore Reserve Pinot Noir. The first half went into the market with the Rore Reserve label on it and it won the trophy for Wine of Provenance (the wine that’s the most reflective of its place, its terroir over time) at the … Read More
Tohu Whenua Awa Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
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
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
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
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