Hãhã Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $29.99 Lift the lid off a teapot and sniff the emptiness. It smells lush and tannic, just like this wine. Tamarillo, wild cherry, earthy, plummy flavours merge with dried herb and toast. The finish is smooth, slightly meaty and moreish, and it carries long across the palate. Nicely made … Read More
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Aorangi Road Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Aorangi Road Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $ The locals call the large boulders that litter the vineyards out west of Hastings in the Crownthorpe district, “Mangatahi Swedes” in a little jibe at their ‘Gimblett Gravels’ cousins closer to town. This sauvignon has a soft, lemongrass and bruised basil aroma, a dusting of white pepper … Read More
Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $16.99 On the nose this chardonnay has creme brulee, Mackintosh’s ‘Harrogate’ and roast peach perfume, while on the palate it’s rich, decently structured and shows solid juiciness right through to the finish. It’s extremely gluggably good. Widely available.
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $32.99 So ripe, rumpty and ready for action this pinot noir is just itching to serve with any food that’s got a squeak of spice in it. It’s the intense cherry, clove, cocoa and berry bodaciousness that makes it so food friendly, while its softness and velvety structure makes … Read More
Providore Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Providore Central Otago Pinot noir 2017 $39 Winemaker Pete Bartle upsticked from his native Hawke’s Bay in 2001 for the bright lights of Central Otago and it’s been veni, vidi, vici for him ever since. Now one of the region’s most highly awarded winemakers, Pete’s decided that since he’s earned access to some of the … Read More
Gibson Bridge Tasting Oct 2018
Gibson Bridge Estate Blend Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $38 This pinot gris is deeply golden in the glass, perhaps due to its age and also its partial barrel fermentation and the addition of 12% gewurztraminer already barrel fermented itself. On the nose it has nutty complexity, musky florals and spiced stonefruit characters. The acidity is fresh … Read More
Lamont Central Otago Chardonnay 2017
Lamont Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $32 Winemaker Craig Gasson sourced superlatively good fruit from Sue and Andrew Penniket’s organic and dry-farmed Minaret Peaks vineyard down in Wanaka for this new release chardonnay. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented in a concrete egg fermenter, it erupts with sweet cashew, stonefruit and citrus on the nose and … Read More
Lamont Central Otago Riesling 2015
Lamont Central Otago Riesling 2015 $27 One thing you’ll understand as soon as you sip this ridiculously good riesling is ‘purity’. Sourced from Craig and Angela Gasson’s tiny Bendigo-based vineyard, this riesling is deliciously dry and does a darn good job of bringing squint-factor 50 to your face. Certified organic, the fruit was cool-fermented to … Read More
Ogier Héritages Côtes du Rhône 2016
Ogier Héritages Côtes du Rhône 2016 $16.50-$18 A blend of grenache, syrah and mourvedre from the south of France that’s gentle, savoury and has attractive cherry and leather layers, dusty tannins and grainy, textural feels on the finish. www.regionalwines.co.nz
Te Mania Nelson Pinot Noir 2016
Te Mania Nelson Pinot Noir 2016 $25 This certified organic, vegan-friendly pinot noir is deceptively light in that colour-wise, it’s like a notch above a rosé in terms of depth and darkness, yet the aromatics and flavours that unveil themselves are surprising. Dried herbs, wild cherry and berry tea notes wash across the palate, leaving a … Read More