Karikari Estate Hell Hole Merlot Cabernet Franc 2016 $27 While the label excited me and had me running for the good glasses, sadly when I poured this wine, the disappointment was a major. I’m a fan of Karikari’s wines, however this blend is ageing WAY too fast. Brown, oxidised, watery and lacking personality and ‘merlotness’ … Read More
The Writer’s Block Waitaki Valley Riesling 2018
The Writer’s Block Waitaki Valley Riesling 2018 $29 Produced by Brendan Seal at his Urbn Winery in central Dunedin from fruit sourced from stunning vineyards in the Waitaki Valley in North Otago. The climate there is so extreme that grapes struggle along, pouring all their energy into tiny, flavour-packed nuggets of niceness. The result is a … Read More
Cypress Terraces Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014
Cypress Terraces Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $42 Mel and Gus Lawson knew their terraced hillside vineyard would produce some of the most sensational syrah in the region, I’d say they could feel it in their waters, but truth be told, water is not something they see much of and the vines border on dehydration and … Read More
Mt Rosa Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Mt Rosa Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $75 This is a sexy melange of wild cherry, rhubarb, rosehip tea and allspice. Soft, sultry and ever-so-smoky, it’s a style that’s deeply concentrated, gamy and incredibly succulent. Mouthwatering even. It’s a delicious style that has incredible length of flavour and an elegant presence. Love it! Pricey, … Read More
Mt Rosa Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Mt Rosa Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $35 Incredibly aromatic, this Gibbston-grown pinot erupts with dusty cherry and berry and cocoa characters, plus theres a whiff of rosehip tea and sackloads of spice. Mouthfeel-wise, where do I start? Red fruits, currant and cranberry with hints of strawberry and rhubarb and a hint of black tea … Read More
Waiana Estate Indian Summer Private Blend Hawke’s Bay Rosé
Waiana Estate Indian Summer Private Blend Hawke’s Bay Rosé $35 This is the flagship rosé from the Plowman family and their Waiana Estate winemaking team. A step beyond their Indian Summer and Summer Sault rosés, this classically dry, Provençale style is crafted from a blend of Tukituki Valley-grown merlot and cinsault which has been left, post-ferment … Read More
Waiana Estate Summer Sault Hawke’s Bay Rosé
Waiana Estate Summer Sault Hawke’s Bay Rosé $26.99 Named in homage to Cinsault, the principal grape used in a style that absolutely screams “South of France”, this rosé carries a serious caboose of character around with it. Weightier and showing more generosity than its little sister, the Indian Summer, this Tukituki Valley-grown groover heaves with … Read More
Kelly Washington Wairau Valley Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Kelly Washington Wairau Valley Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $36 Aromas of freshly-baled pea-hay, lemongrass and soft, white pepper characters co-exist with lime and nettle notes in a beautifully balanced, mineral-driven mouthfeel that is just delicious. Certified organic and very classy in the glass, I really wish I could confidently say that New Zealanders will pay … Read More
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016
Lowburn Ferry Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $50 Stuffed with cranberry, redcurrant, rosehip tea, succulent acidity, slippery lithe mouthfeel, warming, luscious, lovely and spicy and velvety. It’s a classic, old vines, Central Otago style that works beautifully with roast beetroot soup and anything game-related. It’s a juicy, spice-centric style that’s created from fruit grown by … Read More
Vesevo Beneventano Campagnia Aglianico 2015
Vesevo Beneventano Campagnia Aglianico 2015 $21.50 Aglianico is a grape that does its happy dance in volcanic dirt and that’s why mineral-rich soils of campagnia produce such jawdropping examples like this. ‘Vesevo’ is the ancient name given to the volcano ‘vesuvio’ – so it totally fits. Incredibly bright florals, cherry blossom, pepper and dark cocoa … Read More