Allan Scott Steytler Stellenbosch + Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $16.99 A first for me, tasting a New Zealand-South Africa collab sauvignon, and it’s really really interesting. Both the Scott family in Marlborough and the Steytler family in Stellenbosch machine-harvested a parcel of sauvignon blanc at night and processed the juice into wine. Both wineries then … Read More
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Leftfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Leftfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $17.99 Paired with: BAKED CHICKEN AND MOZZARELLA MEATBALLS dish Magazine Issue 103 The Leftfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 ($17) has just the right amount of grilled citrus, roast peach and buttered toast terrificness to carry these meatballs past the goalposts. Juicy, robust and prickled with plucky pineapple notes, it’s a … Read More
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $34 One of New Zealand’s most highly awarded sauvignon’s, the Wairau Reserve represents the epitome of what the folks at Saint Clair can achieve with the smorgasbord of sauvignon blanc sites at their disposal. Scented with lemongrass, lime zest, a lick of jalapeno and a kick of … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2019 $28.99 The unmistakable aroma of orange zest, apricot and a little jiggle of jasmine tells you that this is going to be a great little viognier. Grown organically on the ancient rocky terraces above the Ruamahanga River, this is an ultra-bright, beautifully balanced example of a variety that’s notoriously difficult … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Rose 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Rose 2019 $24.99 Pale apricot-pink and bursting with bright cherry blossom and rhubarb, this absolute little rockstar of a rosé is singing all the right tunes. Cleansing honeydew melon and peachy complexity with a hint of apple makes this deliciously dry wine a dream to drink. Gladstone Vineyard
Tiraki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Tiraki Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $25 It’s the clay-stacked soils of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys that injects the deep minerality and lemongrassy layers into this wine. Specialising in sauvignon blanc and pinot noir, this new wine brand is fast becoming one to watch. I love the leafy, grassy splash of fresh green herbs and lime zest … Read More
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2021
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2021 ($40) Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Pork and Prawn Potsticker Dumplings Canvas NZ Herald April 2 2022 Albariño is Spain’s signature white grape however it’s also found a very happy home under the Hawke’s Bay sun. Sourced from the iron-rich, red gravels of the Bridge Pa sub-region, … Read More
Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ($23) Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Laksa Salmon Envelope Dumplings in Canvas NZ Herald April 2 2022 So pale, it’s like having glossy white gold in your glass and it erupts with lemongrass, bruised basil, peach and punchy, crunchy green apple and lime layers with each sip. Its bracing … Read More
Hāhā Rõhi Sparkling Hawke’s Bay Rosé NV
Hāhā Rõhi Hawke’s Bay Sparkling Rosé NV ($40 for 2) Brand new and absolutely, hands-down, no-holds-barred, the best thing to sip whilst nibbling these acidulously awesome little pockets of piquant perfection, is this wine. Crafted by Ant Mackenzie from a mix of merlot, malbec and cabernet sauvignon and bottled with a new screwcap designed specifically … Read More
Pask Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016
Pask Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016 $22 Six years on from harvest and this merlot is entering its savoury, earthy phase. The acidity is still carrying freshness across the palate and the tannins still have good grip. The flavours are smoke-led and spicy, yet it’s fading from its best.