Westbrook Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 

25 March 2023By Yvonne

Westbrook Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 $35 32Enticing aromas of gently toasted cashew and almonds open up to poached peach and a hint of roast apricot on the nose, while in the mouth it bursts with butterscotch richness, baked apple and a creamy, peachy plushness to finish. In its perfect drinking window now. Westbrook

Taylors Limestone Coast Clare Valley Shiraz 2020

15 March 2023By Yvonne

Taylors Limestone Coast Clare Valley Shiraz 2020 $18 This is a classic South Australian style crammed with boysenberry, dark cherry and sweet,  peppery plushness. It oozes bright berryfruit and violet aromas and boasts a mouthfeel that’s soft, warming and mellow with saucy, plummy notes and hints of dark chocolate to finish.  Dangerously easy to drink … Read More

Villa Maria Ihumātao Auckland Chardonnay 2021

9 March 2023By Yvonne

Villa Maria Ihumātao Auckland Chardonnay 2021 $50 What you have here is quite possibly the last vintage of this incredible wine. Why? Because the vines in this vineyard have been pulled out (boo hiss) But this creation is a last-ever chance to absorb a smorgasbord of roast stonefruit, toasted almonds and smoked citrus. Showing great … Read More

Elephant Hill Sea Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020

9 March 2023By Yvonne

Elephant Hill Sea Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $59 Wow! You definitely know this has come from an oceanfront vineyard (Te Awanga) because the vein of salinity is strong in this one. I love it! Super-juicy, beautiful oak handling, silky, succulent and crammed with grapefruit it’s 88% clone 15 and 22% clone 95 handpicked, whole bunch … Read More

Unison Wines And Relax Gimblett Gravels Red 2022

8 March 2023By Yvonne

Unison Wines And Relax Gimblett Gravels Red 2022 $22 It’s a totally new take on Gimblett Gravels syrah in that it’s light, bright, super-approachable, juicy and dangerously easy to drink. Not overtly peppery or muscular like what you’d expect from Gimblett Gravels syrah, instead it’s designed to also work well chilled. Yep – chilled! So … Read More

Weekend Wines Gone Rogue Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022

8 March 2023By Yvonne

  Weekend Wines Gone Rogue Central Otago Pinot Noir 2022 $36 Introducing a deliciously crisp, fresh pinot noir from the kids at the Central Otago Wine Company in Cromwell. Lifted and youthful and bright, it’s edged with early-season cherry, baked beetroot, blueberry and rhubarb flavours wrapped around a core of juicy acidity and earthy tannins. … Read More

Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021

8 March 2023By Yvonne

Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $32 Crafted by the team at Folding Hill, this is the new release of one of my favourite Central Otago pinot’s. I’m loving the whoomph of potpourri aromatics in every sniff of this wine, exotic florals and smoked berries merge with softly spiky tannins, and red cherry and raspberry … Read More

Giesen Estate New Zealand Riesling 2022

7 March 2023By Yvonne

Giesen Estate New Zealand Riesling 2022 $12-$15 Paired with: Masala Fish Curry in the NZ Herald CANVAS magazine 11.3.2023 This chirpy little supermarket staple has won so many awards over recent decades that the Giesen brothers have had to add support struts to the trophy cabinet to cope with the weight of all the heavy … Read More

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022

7 March 2023By Yvonne

Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022 $24.99 Paired with: Spicy Mexican Prawns in NZ Herald CANVAS March 11 2023 Coriander, lime, garlic, chipotle and chilli? Pardon me but I’m about to paradiddle down to pinot gris town with this prawn recipe (shout out to all the percussionists out there). The rocky, high-altitude, free-draining soils of … Read More

Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020

3 March 2023By Yvonne

Forrest Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 $35 Bursting with bold hedgerow spices, japonica, wild cherry and berry notes, savoury, earthy layers and clean, refreshing textures, this is a youthful, spicy wine with chewy tannins and a big future ahead of it. Gamey complexity adds to its interest and length of flavour. Forrest