Vergence MK II Waipara Red by Pegasus Bay 2021 $40 For Mat Donaldson, winemaker at Pegasus Bay, his Vergence range is all about pushing the oeno-envelope, so steady yourself for an unusual blend of some whole-bunch pinot noir and whole-berry cabernet sauvignon that’s earthy, cherry-driven and laced with soft spearmint, plum, bay and tobacco leaf … Read More
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The Bone Line Pink Noise Waipara Rosé 2022
The Bone Line Pink Noise Waipara Rosé 2022 $38 The Boneline are one of North Canterbury’s most exciting producers, crafting wines on Ram Paddock Road, from soils rich in rare fossils. In fact, the 58 million-year-old palaeocene seabird fossil on this label is a real one found in the Waipara River by local fossil expert … Read More
Sorrell The Wrekin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Sorrell The Wrekin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 $tbc Bright, exotic spices and layers of rooibos tea and rhubarb roll around a core of dark cherry and cranberry characters. It’s a fresh, youthful pinot noir from the certified organic Wrekin vineyard located in Fairhall, in Marlborough’s Southern Valleys sub-region, and it’s definitely going to be one … Read More
Sorrell The Wrekin Marlborough Chardonnay 2021
Sorrell The Wrekin Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 $tbc Where has this chardonnay been all my life? Ultra-fresh and absolutely fanging with gorgeous grilled grapefruit, white peach, Pacific Rose apple and complex, caramelised oak characters on the nose and palate – it’ll perk up even the most jaded tastebuds. From the certified organic, Wrekin vineyard, tucked away … Read More
I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection
I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection. Twelve wines whittled down from dozens submitted that were judged by Cameron Douglas MS to reflect the absolute finest examples created from the 2020 vintage from the Hawke’s Bay region. I love that there’s a healthy sub-regional spread in terms of where they were grown and … Read More
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $48 Imagine a spiced cherry jus poured across a sizzling venison cutlet, and you’ll have something resembling this glorious thing’s exotic, meaty, savoury scent. The palate is laced with rooibos tea, sweet rhubarb and bright berryfruit soothed and smoothed with silky tannins and refreshing, youthful, buoyant textures. It’s lithe, lusciously … Read More
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 $80 Golden in the glass and scented with smoky French oak, scorched cashew and brazil nut notes, grilled grapefruit and hints of baked apricot and citrus complexity, this chardonnay is ultra-enticing from the first sniff. Plus delicious depth and mineral layers coexist with a creamy, citrus-centric core, … Read More
Carrick Josephine Bannockburn Riesling 2021
Carrick Josephine Bannockburn Riesling 2021 $34 The name Josephine refers to the decorative variation of the ‘Carrick Bend’ nautical knot which appears on the front of the label. The knot is a metaphor for how the winery brings together viticulture, winemaking and their place. It also includes local landmarks like the Carrick mountain range, the Carrick … Read More
Giesen Clayvin Vineyard Marlborough Syrah 2021
Giesen Clayvin Vineyard Marlborough Syrah 2021 $55 This is one of those young red wines that tastes great on the first pour but tastes amazing the next day. Erupting with dark berries on the nose, blackberry, boysenberry and blueberry notes, alongside a vein of pepper and dark cocoa and smoky oak, this organically-grown wine is … Read More
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Rosé 2022
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Rosé 2022 $25 I love how this rosé sits up and starts singing from the moment you pour the first glass. Bright pink and bursting with ripe cherry, redcurrant and watermelon notes on the nose and palate, it’s fresh, squeaky-clean and roaring with personality. It’s also got decent weight and presence in … Read More