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

Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017

5 June 2019By Yvonne

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

McPherson Family Vineyards Jock McPherson Victoria Cabernet Merlot 2017

19 May 2019By Yvonne

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

21 April 2019By Yvonne

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

13 April 2019By Yvonne

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