The Better Half Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 ($tbc) This lipsmacking little lovely from Marlborough is crammed full of tropical, passionfruity punch, peachy layers and loads of lime and lemon. I like that on the website it says “designed to be enjoyed right now – not left to collect dust in your wine rack”, because that’s … Read More
Uncategorized
Dune McLaren Vale Tirari 2020
Dune McLaren Vale Tirari 2020 $26.99 With Coriole Vineyard family pedigree behind them, brothers Peter and Duncan Lloyd, this Blewitt Springs-grown blend of mourvèdre, negroamaro, grenache, touriga and a little bit of shiraz is all sorts of sippable. Smooth, spicy and berry-saturated, here’s a wine with real personality and charm and a long, plummy finish. … Read More
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018
Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 $51.50 Roaring with tamarillo, rhubarb and wild cherry on the nose and palate, followed by a whack of dark cocoa and roasted spices, makes this an exciting wine for fans of Central Otago pinot noir for sure. It’s got character, style and charm. Brisk acidity and sandy, chewy … Read More
Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Chardonnay 2020
Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Chardonnay 2020 $30 Crafted from the southern Chardonnay vines growing in the Matahiwi home vineyard, this is the fourth vintage after it was planted back in 2013. If aromas of ultra-toasty oak, grilled grapefruit and peach are your thing, then you’ll be a happy camper. Combine them with frisky acidity … Read More
Rockburn Stolen Kiss Central Otago Rosé 2021
Rockburn Stolen Kiss Central Otago Rosé 2021 $30 Crafted from 100% pinot noir grapes that’ve been ‘stolen’ from their top pinot noir crop to create this pinky-perfect, morganite-coloured wine that’s crammed with creaming soda, watermelon and cherry flavours, a tweak of dried herbs and a wallop of berry-drenched generosity on the finish. It’s a hugely … Read More
Olivier Coste Je T’aime Biologique IGP Pays d’Oc Carignan 2020
Coste Je T’aime Biologique IGP Pays d’Oc Carignan 2020 $26 Organically-grown carignan grapes have been carefully shepherded into the bottle by Oliver Coste, who has been immersed in his family vineyards (dating back to 1701) since birth. Wondering about the coat of arms? I emailed Olivier and he said “Our coat of arms represents 3 … Read More
Aurum Organic Central Otago Chardonnay 2019
Aurum Organic Central Otago Chardonnay 2019 $45 You can announce to your friends as you pour this wine. “The soils in which Aurum’s certified organic, chardonnay grapes grow, are comprised of fluvial, glacial silts and gravels”. Now quickly go and Google ‘fluvial’ to school yourself up in advance. The desert-dry heat of the Lowburn … Read More
de la terre Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
de la terre Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $39.99 Hold the phone, lock the gates and pull on your pepper pants because this new release from the legendary winemaking talents of Tony Prichard is extraordinarily spicy and nicey. Crafted from handpicked fruit grown in the highest elevation syrah vineyard in Hawke’s Bay (160m icyww), it’s … Read More
Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $20 Peter Robertson’s been making wine in Hawke’s Bay since 1974. 1974! So he knows a thing or or twenty about turning great weather into great wine. 2018 was a bit special for Brookfields. It produced merlot full of juicy spices and supple tannins that create just the right … Read More
Anchorage Family Estate Nelson Pinot Gris 2021
Anchorage Family Estate Nelson Pinot Gris 2021 $17 Eyepoppingly pretty, diamond-bright and flecked with white gold, this shiny, new example of Nelsonian niceness is an exotically proportioned, nashi and apple strudel-spiced thing of beauty. It’s bodacious, luscious and laced with a ribbon of natural sweetness which accentuates the apple and nutmeg notes on the finish … Read More