Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2018 $30 Golden and glossy in the glass and one swirl will reveal exotic aromas of ginger, rose water, white pepper, guava and a hunt of musk. To drink, it has a splash of natural sweetness, yet it’s crisp and juicy, not blowsy and broad – like a lot of … Read More
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $30 If you’re not familiar with the eye-rollingly lovely ‘petrichor’ perfume, then stick your nose deep into a glass of this shiny new syrah from one of Hawke’s Bay’s brightest producers and relish that rain-on-hot-asphalt aroma. Boosted with black currant, bay leaf, violets and a smorgasbord of savory layers … Read More
Petane Station Tracks Block Viognier 2018
Petane Station Tracks Block Viognier 2018 $30 Viognier (pronounced ‘vee-yon-YAY’) is one of my favourite things. Like clean, sunshine-dried sheets and emails saying ‘remittance advice.’ It’s a scary, lots-can-go-wrong grape, yet Philip Barber at Petane Station appears to have some sort of shamanistic supremacy over his vineyard, because the resulting wine is crunchy-fresh to taste … Read More
Petane Station Puriri Block Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Petane Station Puriri Block Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 You know how when you watch a ballerina perform the five foot positions, it’s hypnotic, captivating. Every time, the dancer delivers elegance, elongation, delicacy, and interest. That’s what this chardonnay brings to your brain and senses. Perfumed with white nectarine, cashew butter and toasted crumpets, then delivering … Read More
Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017
Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 $22 Kick off your shoes, put your MC Hammer pants on and do a happy dance. This juicy, Gimblett Gravels-grown merlot is seriously floral on the nose and resplendent (now that’s a word) with raspberry, liquorice, spiced plum, and chocolate layers’ that lead to a long, fresh finish. … Read More
Saving Grace Waipara Chardonnay 2018
Saving Grace Waipara Chardonnay 2018 $27 This chardonnay is grown under the shadow of the Nor’West Arch in a spot sheltered by the Teviotdale hills. Classic North Canterbury chardonnay here, with peachy, brulee and cashew characters on the nose and palate and a lingering, creamy mouthfeel. You won’t see much of it about as it’s … Read More
Mills Reef Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Mills Reef Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $19 Bright and floral and fanging with violets and cherry and all sorts of spices on the nose, this fresh and feisty syrah has ripe plum, raspberry and cranberry characters on the palate. The tannins are easy, elastic and ever-so-powdery, plus there’s a softness on the finish. Superb … Read More
Little Wing Waiheke Island Syrah 2016
Little Wing Waiheke Island Syrah 2016 $60 This is Gillian and Gareth MacLachlan’s red riot. They became obsessed with Syrah after working in the Northern Rhone in 2010, so when the opportunity came along to purchase a semi-abandoned oceanfront vineyard on Waiheke Island years later, of course syrah was compulsory! Planted on heavy clays, super-close … Read More
Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Saint Clair James Sinclair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $22 As soon as you stick your nose in a glass of this sauvignon, you’re met with marshmallow, lemongrass, summer flowers and soft passionfruit layers. On the palate it is punchy-fresh, yet the acidity is gentle and beautifully integrated with the fruit concentration and herbaceousness. Nice sipping … Read More
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45
Amisfield Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $45 Dr Stephanie Lambert has a fearsome reputation as a winemaker and yet the big up’s, the accolades, the critic prop’s per se, are overwhelmingly in favour of her pinot noir. Indeed she does make damn fine, world-class pinot noir at every price point, yet I’m here to say that … Read More