Nautilus Estate Marlborough Albariño 2019

2 December 2019By Yvonne

Nautilus Estate Marlborough Albariño 2019 ($29) Paired with Gazpacho by Annabel Langbein Canvas Dec 7th 2019 One of the greatest food and wine combos to ever occur is that of this superlatively lovely Spanish soup and a sip or seven of Spain’s signature white wine, albariño.  Happily, Clive Jones and his scarily talented team in … Read More

Dunstan Road Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014

28 November 2019By Yvonne

Dunstan Road Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $35-$40 From beside the famous ‘Rail Trail’ comes a pinot noir that’s plush and lush and stitched together with spiced cherry and soused plum flavours.  Five years on from harvest and the acidity is still holding strong, yet the tannins are soft and dusty and velvety.  It’s … Read More

Bald Hills Central Otago Pinot Gris 2016

28 November 2019By Yvonne

Bald Hills Central Otago Pinot Gris 2016 $30 Pete Bartle is a winemaker that stamps his signature on everything he touches, meaning if it’s pinot gris – it’s gonna be worth getting his autograph for sure!  After three years in the bottle, 2016 is really hitting its straps, texturally it’s dry and has that pear-skin … Read More

Kereru Brewing Fab-Yule-Ous Fig and Pohutukawa Honey Golden Ale

25 November 2019By Yvonne

Kereru Brewing Fab-Yule-Ous Fig and Pohutukawa Honey Golden Ale (500ml  $11.99 5%abv) This festive brew hits that sweet spot between rich, heady, Belgian malted magic, with fresh honeycomb and toffee-brittle notes, alongside fresh hop and fruity, peachy perfection.  Hints of Christmas pudding spice and figgy layers sneak through, making it a beautifully balanced brew that’s … Read More

Dunstan Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016

20 November 2019By Yvonne

Dunstan Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $36 I get so excited when I see a new pinot noir release from Dunstan Road, because they have a signature freshness and florality and buckets of perky spices.  Cherry, redcurrant, cranberry flavours are followed by fresh mushroom and delicately spicy notes make it a total delight to … Read More

Dunstan Road Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018

20 November 2019By Yvonne

Dunstan Road Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 $25 Hand’s down this is one of the best pinot gris I’ve tasted all year.  Delicately scented with nashi, white peach and notes of nana’s bathroom cupboard (talc, coldcream, lavendr), while on the palate it is plush with pear, poached quince, honeysuckle and soft spices.  The acidity dances … Read More

Aurum Organic Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017

12 November 2019By Yvonne

Aurum Organic Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $28 Gorgeous fresh-cut apple, pear and quince and strudel notes, it has richness and weight and general all-round deliciousness, so punchy and rich and powerful. Peach, perky perfection. LOVE it!! Here’s something you can announce in front of your friends as you pour this wine. “The soils in … Read More

Junction Corner Post Central Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017

11 November 2019By Yvonne

Junction Corner Post Central Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 $29 Winemaker Leith Ashworth is really hitting his straps with this sensational chardonnay, grown on the Takapau Plains in Central Hawke’s Bay.  Robust, roast peach, grilled grapefruit, toasted almond and smoke-soaked aromas and flavours erupt from the glass and the wine also offers something new in every … Read More

Nautilus Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019

11 November 2019By Yvonne

Nautilus Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 ($29) Pad Thai Noodles paired in CANVAS Sat Nov 16 2019 If the winemaking team knew just how good the Nautilus Estate Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 ($29) was with Pad Thai, they’d be off down the local BYO pretty much every lunchtime.  Clean, mineral-driven aromas, with a squeak of … Read More

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Gewürztraminer 2017

11 November 2019By Yvonne

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Gewürztraminer 2017 ($30) Ginger Pork and Peanut Stir Fry – paired in CANVAS Nov 16 2019 I’m a sucker for bold, ballsy, aromatic white wines with any dishes where fresh ginger is the hero, which is why the shiny, new Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Gewürztraminer 2017 ($30) perfectly shivers my timbers … Read More