Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 $28 The Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 ticks all the boxes for plushness, fruit-forwardness and is one of those wines that’ll inject life into any occasion. Ripe cherry, raspberry and even a tiny squeak of beetroot all erupt from the glass and the flavours are soft, easy, plump and gentle … Read More
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McPherson Family Vineyards Jock McPherson Victoria Cabernet Merlot 2017
McPherson Family Vineyards Jock McPherson Victoria Cabernet Merlot 2017$22.99 Co-founder of McPherson wines back in 1968, Jock McPherson has a hunger, a thirst, a hankering for big, bold Bordeaux blends and this is the team’s tribute to him. Juicy and chock full of bright blackberry, blackcurrant and black cherry flavours abound. The tannins are silky … Read More
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45 Dr Stephanie Lambert has a fearsome reputation as a winemaker and yet the big up’s, the accolades, the critic prop’s per se, are overwhelmingly in favour of her pinot noir. Indeed she does make damn fine, world-class pinot noir at every price point, yet I’m here to say that … Read More
Ash Ridge Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
Ash Ridge Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 $50 Unfined, unfiltered and absolutely elegance wine-onified. Perfumed with peppercorn, bay leaf, bright violets and plum blossom, the palate of this new release by winemaker Lauren Swift shows deeply savoury characters, leather-slapped, game meat and mocha notes. Fresh acidity and fanging length of flavour. It’s a syrah that’ll … Read More
Hoppers Crossing Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018
Hoppers Crossing Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 (tank sample) Lush, plush and nicely structured, needs a tiny bit of settling and red berries (wild strawberry, cherry, redcurrant,) decent tannins, fruit concentration and spice. Long finish. Good stuff. very drinkable.
Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $29 Blended from four vineyards from the western end of the Wairau Valley after a long, dry summer, the Mahi Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 ($29) is a funk-laced, stonefruit-soaked, toasty, smoky sip. Crafted using only free-run juice and left to ferment wild, with no additions, before maturing in barrel for 11 months, … Read More
Petane Station Hau Hau Block Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018
Petane Station Hau Hau Block Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 $27 This tiny estate located out Eskdale-way, manages to turn out pinot gris that’s consistently mammoth in the personality-stakes. With its new vintage offering a creamy, apple pie and cashew character on the nose, followed by a poached quince and roast pear punch on the … Read More
Bodegas Piqueras Valcanto Almansa Syrah 2014
Bodegas Piqueras Valcanto Almansa Syrah 2014 ($15.95) A soft, easy, super-fruity syrah like this is just the ticket for a soothing sip to serve with anything meaty and spicy. This Spanish smooth-talker adds berries and spice and all things nice to anyone who prefers blueberry and leather notes in their syrah and less of the … Read More
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 $19.95 This is one of my sure-fire, never-fail, no-hold-barred, people pleasing pinot gris choices. There’s a ripeness and robustness in the Squawking Magpie style that promotes a pear, quince and quick-fix of spiced apple awesome into every sip. It’s crisp, clean, cranking with honeysuckle and heaving … Read More
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $50 Stuffed with cranberry, redcurrant, rosehip tea, succulent acidity, slippery lithe mouthfeel, warming, luscious, lovely and spicy and velvety. It’s a classic, old vines, Central Otago style that works beautifully with roast beetroot soup and anything game-related. It’s a juicy, spice-centric style that’s created from fruit grown by … Read More