Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chardonnay 2020 $35 I could tell you all the technical wizardry involved in creating this organically grown chardonnay, but that might be a distraction to its deliciousness and that wouldn’t do at all. Erupting with ripe grapefruit, roast nectarine and creme brulee topping, caramelised, softly smoky spicy oak and incredibly … Read More
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te Pā Oke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
te Pā Oke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $24.95 Once every few years, when the positive chi flows from the East and the sauvignon gods of the South smile fondly on the vines, the folk at te Pā might, if we’re lucky, decide to create an ‘Oke’. Pronounced ‘aw-keh’, oke in te reo Māori translates to … Read More
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $20 Out west of Hastings in a place called Matapiro, high up on the terraces of the Ngaruroro River, some of Hawke’s Bays best sauvignon blanc is being grown. In the rain shadow of the Ruahine range, with roots thriving in the deep, ancient river gravels, the vines that … Read More
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021 $24.99 With pear, poached quince and roast peach characters on the nose lead to a softly spiced palate with gentle acidity and a long, creamy finish, it’s a good little sip-in-the-sunshine gris. Don’t over-chill it (that’ll mask the all-important florals and fruit). Nicely made. Monowai Estate
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $24.99 This ultra pretty-in-pink wine bursts with classic bubblegum, rose apple, creaming soda and raspberry aromatics and yet on the palate it’s cleansing, dry and seriously refreshing. The acidity is perky, lending just the right amount of ‘prickle’ to the gums and tongue and it’s got personality to burn. Nicely … Read More
Bald Hills Friends & Lovers Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Rosé 2020
Bald Hills Friends & Lovers Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Rosé 2020 $30 Pretty apricot-blush coloured in the glass, this deliciously dry style crafted from handpicked pinot noir, has classic watermelon and red apple aromatics colliding with a hint of creaming soda and soft spices on the palate. Cleansing, crunchy-crisp, yet generously proportioned, it’s an … Read More
Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019
Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019 $30 The thing I love about this wine is its cool, calm mood. Unlike a lot of gewürztraminer styles that are all jazz hands and stage voice, brash, blousy and wearing way too much perfume. This new release rolls out subtle ginger, rosewater and musky spices on the nose … Read More
Forrest Marlborough Albariño 2021
Forrest Marlborough Albariño 2021 $28 While albariño (al-bar-een-yo) might be more famous in its Galician homeland in northwestern Spain, it’s clearly settled and thriving nicely under Marlborough’s baking Southern Valleys sun. Erupting with fresh apple blossom, lemon zest and peachy aromatics and washing waves of whipcrack acidity around the gums and nashi and lime across … Read More
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2020 $24.99 Softly spiced, perfumed with plum, light liquorice and a dusting of cocoa, it’s a velvety-smooth, refreshingly ripe style of merlot from the Matapiro region west of Hastings. Slinky and slightly smoky, it’s a satisfyingly juicy sip. Monowai
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $35 Aromas of baked peach, cashew butter and creme caramel collide with slightly scorched toast, a lick of grapefruit, pineapple and layers of butterscotch complexity. It’s a refreshingly silky thing to sip, with nicely balanced acidity and alcohol and a long, creamy, classic finish. Round, ripe and soothing … Read More