Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Shiraz 2020

October 31, 2023By Yvonne

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Shiraz 2020 $70 Bright and sweetly fruited on the nose with lifted boysenberries and dark chocolate, like liquid black forest gateaux. The classic blackcurrant character of shiraz sneaks through more strongly on the palate and it’s cloaked in dusty, earthy tannins and chamois-like textures that add chew and grip where … Read More

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019

October 31, 2023By Yvonne

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $70 Just gazing at its impenetrably inky, glossy, magenta-black colour as it pours into your glass was enough to make me wobble at the knees, but hoisting it to my nose and inhaling its rich aromas of spearmint cocoa, dark plum, wild cherry and smoked blueberries made … Read More

Taylors Legacy Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

October 31, 2023By Yvonne

Taylors Legacy Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $1000 This eyepoppingly elegant Clare Valley cabernet sauvignon has had a splash each of merlot and cabernet franc added to inject a touch extra complexity to wine crafted from fruit sourced from the very best blocks of the year. It was given a cool, quiet, 42-month sleep in … Read More

Taylors The Visionary Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

October 31, 2023By Yvonne

Taylors The Visionary Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $220 Tasted bottle no. 4034 Inky-bright and garnet-dark, this deeply complex, exotically-scented cabernet sauvignon roars with bay, blueberry, fresh tobacco and earthy, dutch cocoa characters. It’s the 7th vintage of ‘Visionary’  which is named after founder Bill Taylor, who had a vision beyond his life in big … Read More

Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2023

October 31, 2023By Yvonne

Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2023 $38 Anika Willner is the evil genius winemaker responsible for this absurdly pretty and delectably dry rosé. Served in a bottle decorated with a Huia feather designed by artist Chris Heaphy and a South Island Tomtit bird on the back, it’s been crafted with 100% pinot noir, … Read More

Yealands Babydoll Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023

October 30, 2023By Yvonne

Babydoll Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $15-$18 If the tornado of jalapeno, basil and lime leaf lifting towards your nostrils doesn’t wow you, then the brisk, bracing, burst of lemongrass, white peach, passionfruit and lime gelato-like flavours should knock your knickerbockers off. Named after the diminutive heritage-breed sheep from the South Down hills of England’s Sussex … Read More

Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Estate Chardonnay 2022

October 30, 2023By Yvonne

Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Estate Chardonnay 2022 $24 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Mediterranean Salmon in the NZ Herald Nov 4th 2023 Absolutely erupting with peach crumble, grilled grapefruit and soft pineapple characters, this is a perky, punchy style that’s brisk, refreshing and roaring with personality and freshness. A roasty, toasty crowd-pleaser for certain. Summer wedding? … Read More

Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2020

October 23, 2023By Yvonne

Carrick Organic Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2020 $32 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Lemongrasss Chilli Chicken NZ Herald Canvas Magazine 28th Oct 2023 If you like your pinot gris to have a teensy splash of sweetness, then prepare for all the grins to begin. I love the classic walnut and nashi niceness in this absolute belter from … Read More

Decibel Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2021

October 23, 2023By Yvonne

Decibel Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2021 $32 This is one seriously fleshy, spice-stacked, cocoa and blueberry, softly peppery, plush malbec and I’m here for it. The mouthfeel is warm, woolly, round and roaring with textural tannins that boast prickle in all the right places. Juicy and velvety and energising to sip. This malbec is a rich, … Read More

Decibel Hawke’s Bay Rosé Petillant Naturel 2023

October 23, 2023By Yvonne

Decibel Hawke’s Bay Rosé Petillant Naturel 2023 $35 Malbec grown in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa region has been crafted in an ancient method of bottling partially-fermented wine and allowing the yeast to finish their job in the bottle – so it keeps on creating fizz. The spent yeast, or “lees”, remain in the bottle so … Read More