Alexia Restless Boy Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $25 As the mother of a son, I totally identify with winemaker Jane Cooper’s comparison between this wine made up of loads of different techniques and styles, with her son being a ‘walking weather system’ and her young family bringing together the “big, beautiful, fragile messiness of life”. … Read More
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Anna’s Way Marlborough Viognier 2019
Anna’s Way Marlborough Viognier 2019 $18 The trick to crafting good viognier is to tame its naturally OTT apricot and jasmine aromatics and harvest right when its notoriously changeable acidity right at its peak in order to snapshot a scene of subtle florals and snappy stonefruit. Combine that with an electric charge of crunchy acidity, … Read More
Ataahua Waipara Gewürztraminer 2019
Ataahua Waipara Gewürztraminer 2019 $26 Gewürztramaniacs heed my call! This wine smells like opening the mirror of my grandmother’s bathroom cabinet and catching a waft of that deliciously comforting combo of lavender talc, cold cream, citrus blossom, and peachy, musky face powder. Taste-wise, the texture is lighter, and the mouthfeel is rich yet nicely dry. … Read More
Casarena 505 Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Casarena 505 Mendoza Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $25 Texted a mate recently to say “Come over, I have powerful ACS” and she was like “OMG I’m calling an ambulance!” I thought that was a tad OTT for harmless Argentinean Cabernet Sauvignon. Turns out she thought I had Acute Coronary Syndrome. Serves me right for having medical … Read More
Moi Wines Filigree Auckland Field Blend Red 2017
Moi Wines Filigree Auckland Field Blend Red 2017 $25 Renee Dale is the young, blonde, ferociously talented force of nature behind this wine. Her company Moi Wines has been pushing boundaries with blends since ages ago and this combo of West Auckland-grown syrah and merlot is a huge new fave for us. Deeply fleshy, mocha … Read More
Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2020
Saint Clair Godfrey’s Creek Reserve Marlborough Gewürztraminer 2020 $34 Every time the Saint Clair crowd announce they’ve made a Godfrey’s Creek Reserve gewürztraminer, I go into spasms of joy and jubilation. It’s become a New Zealand icon, generous, dry, spice-saturated and showing more lychee and ginger than you can lob a larb gai at, it’s … Read More
Butterworth Estate Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Butterworth Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $29 Martinborough sauvignon blanc is one of the most underrated wines in our fair land. Delicately floral and foisting soft, lemongrassy loveliness up the nostrils, the Butterworth’s have perfected the mineral-centric, apple blossom bodaciousness that Te Muna terraces sauvignon is all about. Crisp, luscious, clean and to use a corporate … Read More
Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2020
Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2020 $25 Man oh man have we seen some romper-ripping riesling recently. If you’re under 40 you may need an older gal to explain what rompers were. Or Google them. Just bear in mind you won’t be able to unsee it. Good thing this honeysuckle and citrus-centric stunner from Canterbury is perfect … Read More
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2019
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2019 $30 Chris Harrison is a syrah superstar in my book. Each year his Gimblett Gravels grown grapes produce the peppery, cocoa-dusted goods. The 2019 oozes blueberries, dark chocolate, Christmas pudding spices across the nose and palate, the tannins are smooth, softly elastic and have excellent chew-factor. It’s a warming, … Read More
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $27 Quick word. Peel your eyes away from this necktag and let them bathe in the sight of this dark, glossy, gorgeous thing pouring into your glass. Impenetrably inky, and smelling like saddle leather rubbed with baking spices, blackberries and dark cocoa. This wine was made by the scarily … Read More