Astrolabe Wairau Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016

23 February 2022By Yvonne

Astrolabe Wairau Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $22 Six years on from harvest this pinot is moving into the baked berry spectrum, dried tamarillo, redcurrant and rooibos tea on the nose and palate combine with layers of spice and smoked cherry characters on the palate. The tannins are softly chewy and prickle nicely under the … Read More

Astrolabe Wrekin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019

23 February 2022By Yvonne

Astrolabe Wrekin Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $65 Aromatically this dark, glossy, pinot noir has a huge lift of red apple and cherry blossom right up front while on the palate it roars with fresh tamarillo, rhubarb and layers of earthy, black tea and soft, savoury meaty notes on the palate. It shows really prominent tannins … Read More

Crab Farm Hawke’s Bay Pinotage 2019

23 February 2022By Yvonne

Crab Farm Hawke’s Bay Pinotage 2019 $35 Pinotage is a really rare red style in New Zealand and over the years they’ve been a bit of a mixed bag – but strap yourself in because Crab Farm has crafted a very juicy, very drinkable and totally delightful example. Buckets of vanilla and spice on the … Read More

Zephyr MKIII Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020

20 February 2022By Yvonne

Zephyr MKIII Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $32 Wow! Forget what you thought you knew about sauvignon blanc because winemaking wunderkind Ben Glover has somehow smashed together soft, creamy passionfruit curd, lemonade, fennel and feijoa to create a gently smoky, plush, tropically tasty thing that’s incredibly food-friendly. It’s a juicy, citrus-soaked and herb-edged sauvignon that’s fattened … Read More

Crab Farm Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2020

16 February 2022By Yvonne

Crab Farm Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2020 $22 Lifted aromatics of ginger, lychee, musky notes and nutmeg-sprinkled quince literally leap out of the glass and blend with fresh apple and peach on the palate. Classically styled, refreshing, spicy and needs a good 45-minute chill before serving. Crab Farm

No.1 Family Estate No.1 Reserve Blanc de Blancs Marlborough Methode Traditionelle NV

15 February 2022By Yvonne

No.1 Family Estate No.1 Reserve Blanc de Blancs Marlborough Methode Traditionelle NV $96 Sublimely elegant, this 100% chardonnay-derived delight exhibits subtle lemon brioche, apple shortcake and creamy cashew characters on the nose and it washes cleansing citrus and biscuity textures across the palate alongside pinprick-delicate bubbles and bright acidity. It’s incredibly well structured and finely … Read More

Astrolabe Sleepers Vineyard Kekerengu Coast Pinot Noir 2019

15 February 2022By Yvonne

Astrolabe Sleepers Vineyard Kekerengu Coast Pinot Noir 2019 $50 Grown on coastal, limestone-laden soils 50mins drive south of Blenheim, this pinot noir treads softly on the palate yet is underpinned with exotic, savoury spices, baked tamarillo and wild raspberry notes from woah to go.   Paired with: Roasted Eggplant with Spiced Lamb and Harissa dish … Read More

Rabbit Ranch Bright Eyes Central Otago White Pinot Noir 2021

15 February 2022By Yvonne

Rabbit Ranch Bright Eyes Central Otago White Pinot Noir 2021 $22 If you were thinking, based on its pale, apricot colour, that this wine would be a lightweight have another thing coming as soon as they sip. Bold, roaring with white strawberry, nectarine and citrus notes on the nose and palate and finishing with a … Read More

Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2020

14 February 2022By Yvonne

Tiki Single Vineyard North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2020 $23 Paired with: Creamy Sweetcorn Polenta with Chicken Schnitzel and Herb Sauce dish Magazine Issue 102 The creamy moreishness of the polenta combined with the savoury, herby, crunchy schnitzel just sings when paired with the juicy apple, pear and spiced peach punchiness of the Tiki North Canterbury … Read More

Carrick Organic Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2020

13 February 2022By Yvonne

Carrick Organic Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $28 100% wild fermented in barrel and aged for 7 months, this juicy, complex, crazy-good sauvignon oozes smoked passionfruit, marzipan, lemongrass and lime. Sourced from their Cairnmuir Terraces block, this sauvignon blanc is multi-dimensional, laced with rhubarb and fresh-cut herbs. The finish is generous and juicy and I think … Read More