Ataahua Waipara Merlot 2019 $32 The meaning of the word ‘ataahua’ in Māori is ‘beautiful’ or ‘thing of beauty’ and that’s pretty much what you’ll find in this North Canterbury merlot. A beautiful drink. So whoever suggested that you couldn’t make magical merlot in the Southern climes, clearly has never had the pleasure of sipping … Read More
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Ataahua Waipara Syrah 2020
Ataahua Waipara Syrah 2020 $40 The Nor’wester swept plains of North Canterbury have turned out some sensational, yet completely underrated syrah over the years, but I’m thinking this new release from winemaker Stephanie Henderson-Grant is going to create some real noise. With pure peppercorn and Damson plum notes on the nose, brisk, feisty, under-the-front-gums tannins … Read More
Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2019
Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2019 $40 Bursting with black tea, wild cherry and tamarillo on the nose and palate, this pinot noir is lush, plush and ready for action. Amongst the baking spice and tobacco notes, there’s a soft, creamy character that’s edged with raspberry and carries it through to a supercharged cherry-centric finish. Elegantly … Read More
Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2018
Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2018 $40 If you prefer your pinot on the leaner, more savoury and spicy end of the spectrum, then this North Canterbury example is for you. Soft, furry tannins, tweaks of smoked rhubarb and wild cherry wrap around a core of suede and leather in the mid-palate. Made by winemaker Stephanie … Read More
Lime Rock Late Harvest Central Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Lime Rock Late Harvest Central Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 375ml $28 Coming up six years on from those tiny, slightly raisined grapes being carefully plucked from the vine, and the apricot, nectarine, apple and mango flavours in this sweet treat are just getting more gloriously gluggable. I love its passionfruit curd characters and elegant … Read More
Ataahua Waipara Rosé 2021
Ataahua Waipara Rosé 2021 $28 Crafted from the free-run juice of freshly harvested pinot noir grapes, this rosé from wild, windy North Canterbury is chock full of melon, redcurrant and raspberry freshness. A hint of cherry fleshes out the mid-palate and crisp, crunchy acidity elongates its bright, textural finish. Ataahua
Ataahua Waipara Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2020
Ataahua Waipara Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 2020 375ml $28 Hang on to your strops because one sip of this luscious, lychee-laden lovely is gonna send you skywards. Intensely aromatic, it boasts rose petals, exotic spices and buckets of peachy sweetness on the nose and palate. Unlike most other dessert-style wines, this one is actually high in … Read More
Brookfields Robertson Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021
Brookfields Robertson Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021 $21 Super-fresh and snappy, this pinot gris punches out nashi, white peach and yellow plum plushness. Bright acidity, soft baking spices and satisfying, mouthfilling, length of flavour. Nicely made indeed. Brookfields
Trinity Hill Molly’s Block Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021
Trinity Hill Molly’s Block Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $39 A very small but very special parcel of syrah sourced from the river-sands soils of the Moteo Pa sub-region was used to craft this ultra-dry and redcurrant-edged rosé. It’s cleansing and delicately designed, yet it’s packing buckets of pink peppercorn and crushed seashell minerality into every … Read More
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2021
Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2021 $21 Prepare for your nostrils to be completely enveloped in a cloud of strawberries and cream and the sneaky scent of vanilla and raspberry. The palate has apple intensity, spicy generosity and oodles of cranberry, redcurrant and raspberry to round it all out. Ultra-fresh and uber-zesty – it’s one … Read More