Matahiwi Estate Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018

6 July 2019By Yvonne

Matahiwi Estate Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018 $42.99 If you’re not a fan of overcooked, overextracted pinot, then this may definitely appeal.  A classically-styled pinot noir with hints of tobacco and smoked cherry on the nose and palate, slippery and lush, lightly-structured, powdery tannins, and long, redcurrant and raspberry layers on the finish.  www.matahiwi.co.nz

Mahi Single Vineyard Alchemy Marlborough Chardonnay 2017

5 July 2019By Yvonne

Mahi Single Vineyard Alchemy Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $39.90 Hands up who loves their chardonnay to unleash smoke signals and roasty, toasty, nutty notes on the nose and palate?  Well this new release from Brian Bicknell and his team at Mahi will have you reaching for superlatives in seconds flat.  Using fruit sourced from a small … Read More

Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018

5 July 2019By Yvonne

Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2018 $45 Do you know what’s freaky? If you look at the dark and sultry image of smoke and blossoms on the label, then sniff this wine, your brain will be assailed with charred roses, graphite, baked berries and cocoa. Singling out pinot noir from their ‘home’ vineyard just … Read More

Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018

5 July 2019By Yvonne

  Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $18 If you’re looking for a chardonnay boasting peachy punchiness, a lick of creaminess, a sprinkling of nuttiness and citrus all the way home, then you’ve come to the correct cul-de-sac.  It’s fresh, feisty and has crowd appeal written all over it.  With its whimsical label … Read More

Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

2 July 2019By Yvonne

Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $28.99 Crafted by Rod McDonald, a winemaker seemingly blessed with the syrah version of jazz hands for every vintage, this is a plum and pepper-scented sensation was sourced from fruit grown west of Hastings, an area famous for producing the iron-rich, Bridge Pa soils and the prestigious, deep, … Read More

Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Chardonnay 2018

2 July 2019By Yvonne

Matahiwi Holly South Series Wairarapa Chardonnay 2018 $33 While the team at Matahiwi have been turning out cracking chardonnay from Hawke’s Bay for years now, the Holly South Series is all about celebrating their southern roots.  Grown in their ‘Home’ vineyard near the winery, just outside of Masterton, this chardonnay is richly structured, with punchy … Read More

Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018

2 July 2019By Yvonne

Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 $18 So bright and bouncy and bursting with baked pear and spiced peach notes on the nose and palate, this is a nicely balanced gris that’s generously proportioned yet very refreshing and crisp.  Hints of cashew and apple unveil on the finish too.  Nicely made. www.hahawine.co.nz  

Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018

2 July 2019By Yvonne

Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $18 This new release is a super-smashable red that sings plum, plum and more plum!  Warm and cuddly in the mouth, it coats the palate with cocoa and spice and slips down far too easily.  Edged with pepper, the tannins are soft and woolly, yet add a hint of chew … Read More

Misty Cove Marlborough Rosé 2019

27 June 2019By Yvonne

Misty Cove Marlborough Rosé 2019 $22.99 How pretty is this shiny, new, pinot noir-based rosé?  It absolutely pops in the glass and it’s strongly scented with classic raspberry, cherry and strawberry notes and bursts forth all manner of rich, generous, gob-filling gorgeousness in the fruit department.  Fresh, yet densely flavoured and full-bodied, it’s the complete … Read More

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016

22 June 2019By Yvonne

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $49 Three years of quiet time in bottle has allowed the subtle spices in this pinot noir to knit together nicely.  Perfumed with baked berries, soft cherry characters, savoury tones and sandalwood, while the palate is slippery and slick.  Ribbon-like as each sip slides down.  A blockbuster is not … Read More