Petane Mangatahi Valley Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2023

18 August 2024By Yvonne

Petane Mangatahi Valley Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2023 $42 Organically and biodynamically grown out on Linda and Ian Quinn’s Two Terraces vineyard in Mangatahi, where the boulders that push their way up through the earth between the vines are called the “Mangatahi Swedes”, this chenin blanc is hand-picked and 100% barrel fermented and rolls down … Read More

Kumeu River Rays Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2020

15 August 2024By Yvonne

Kumeu River Rays Road Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2020 $40 High acidity and some red apple and earthy characters, but lacks dimension and generosity. The fruit appears to have dropped away and it lacks charm. Not a wine I’d pay $40 for sadly. Kumeu River

Obliix Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022

15 July 2024By Yvonne

Obliix Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2022 $24 Grown in the Gimblett Gravels and crafted by the superstatus talent of Michelle Richardson, this deeply earthy, tobacco and toast-edged blend of 69% cabernet sauvignon, 26% merlot and5% malbec is superbly smooth, soothing, sewn together with bay, cocoa and plum plumpness. Warming, deliciously balanced, licked with dried … Read More

Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Chardonnay 2023

1 July 2024By Yvonne

Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Chardonnay 2023 $23 When Cyclone Gabrielle destroyed much of the vineyards Tony normally uses to create the Fat & Sassy, right before harvest kicked in, he wasted no time calling on friends from Marlborough to purchase some superb southern fruit, making this a blend of 25% Hawke’s Bay and 75% … Read More

Giesen Fuder Series Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2017

30 June 2024By Yvonne

Giesen Fuder Series Clayvin Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $48-$52 Sourced from one of New Zealand’s OG and most famous certified organic vineyards, this chardonnay is like a bottled version of a headline act at Glastonbury. Dua Lipa, Coldplay or Janelle Monae for example. It’s supremely talented, crammed with energy and vitality, and is quite frankly, intensely … Read More

Bendigo Hills Central Otago Chardonnay 2022

18 June 2024By Yvonne

Bendigo Hills Central Otago Chardonnay 2022 $32 Certified organic, clone 548 and B95 chardonnay here from the famous Trig Block in the sunbaked Bendigo subregion. Hand-picked and whole bunch pressed straight to French oak (50% new) to slip into a funky little wild ferment and then it’s aged on its lees for 10 months before … Read More

Chateau Garage Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2023

16 June 2024By Yvonne

Chateau Garage Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2023 $50  With its mineral-laced spine, aromas of apple blossom and lemon pith and its palate awash with vibrant acidity, lime and green fruits, this albariño by Ollie Powrie is a fresh, zesty, shoulder-shake for your tastebuds. Crafted from fruit grown in Bridge Pa, fermented in an egg fermenter and … Read More

Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023

12 June 2024By Yvonne

Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023 $22 Generously dry and classically scented with nashi, green pear, soft nutmeg and apple notes, this new gris has a palate profile that exactly replicates all that and also injects a splash of zesty minerality and leaves a soft creamy character on the finish. Energetic and ultra-sippable. Jules Taylor

Pegasus Bay Vergence White Mk 3

3 June 2024By Yvonne

Pegasus Bay Vergence White Mk 3 $27 The third iteration of Mat Donaldson’s deliciously wild and fabulously feral blended white project, the Vergence* Mk 3 is a multi-vintage wine using 60% oak-aged Semillon, approximately 19% whole bunch fermented Sauvignon Blanc, around 15% Gewurztraminer and a splash each of Muscat and Riesling. From the first sniff … Read More

Kinross The Last Drop Waitaki North Otago Late Harvest Riesling 2020

23 May 2024By Yvonne

Kinross The Last Drop Waitaki North Otago Late Harvest Riesling 2020 $45 The colour of this late harvest riesling has incredible green flecks, making it bright like a lime diamond. Sweet yet showing bracing acidity and refreshing textures alongside a honeyed spine. It’s a delicious palate cleanser. Kinross