Chenin Blanc has the unmistakeable aroma of rose apple and citrus blossom and, while its spiritual home is in France’s Loire Valley, it’s absolutely found its happy place in the Queensberry sub-region of Central Otago. Grown by Dean and Diana Harker, their tiny Chenin Blanc vineyard turns out a crisp, floral, softly spiced and gently … Read More
Waiana Estate Indian Summer Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018 $21.99
Dry, dry, deliciously dry! Yet don’t be expecting anything subtle with this new release, because it has a nose erupting with vanilla, creaming soda, citrus and wild strawberries and all these things crash through onto the palate and leave you with a palate-exfoliatingly fresh mouthfeel and the unshakeable desire to keep on sipping. Produced by … Read More
Tohu Rewa Rosé Méthode Traditionnelle 2015 $40
This limited edition, pinot noir-based, vintage sparkler was created by the team from New Zealand’s most widely recognised 100% Maori-owned wine company, as a happy 20th birthday nod to no compromise. Collaborating with renown local artist Flox to design the label (and its gorgeous gift box), it features her vibrant, signature take on the native … Read More
Hummel Villányi Hárslevelü 2016
Hummel Villányi Hárslevelü 2016 $poa (4.5 stars) Hárslevelü (pronounce it however you like my friend) is a grape native to Hungary and it’s also known as Lindenblättriger in Austria, (where there are also tiny plantings). The name means “linden leaves”, referring to the Linden tree, often called ‘Lime’ trees in English but bear absolutely no … Read More
Scout Wines Nelson Pinot Gris 2018 $30
It’s all about texture, texture, texture here in this organically-grown gris from Nelson’s alluvial Hope gravels. On the nose it shows green nectarine, mineral, quince and chalky notes that all osmose through onto the palate in a fresh, grigio-style example. Fresh, crunchy, lean, foot-stomped and fermented in a combination of tanks and old barrels, with … Read More
Rock Ferry 3rd Rock Marlborough Chardonnay 2015
Rock Ferry 3rd Rock Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $32 If your tastes in chardonnay lean along the nutty, buttered crumpet and biscuity end of the spectrum, then you’ll be loving this nougat-infused number. It’s stitched together with some solid citrus, so freshness is definitely the underlying factor here – however there’s a lovely complexing, caramelised note … Read More
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $29 I’m tasting this wine right as white flesh nectarines begin appearing in heaping quanitites on roadside fruit stalls around where I live, (Hastings, in case you were wondering) and this wine reminds me so much of their scent and the juicy intensity of biting into one. … Read More
Scout South Island Pinot x Pinot 2018
Scout South Island Pinot x Pinot 2018 $32 Greg and Sarah Lane are the team behind Scout, a trans-tasman brand turning out Adelaide Hills chardonnay and reds from the South Island of New Zealand. This little monster is a blend of 75% whole bunch Marlborough Pinot with 25% skin fermented Nelson Pinot Gris. Yep. I … Read More
Saorsa Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
Saorsa Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 $30 The name Saorsa is a Scottish Gaelic word that not only means but also represents a radical sense of freedom, liberty and salvation according to owner Alex Hendry. Crafting just viognier and syrah, his 2016 vintage of syrah is very soft, very earthy, very smooth and lightly structured. Savoury layers and hints of dried … Read More
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $65 Riflemans should be, in my opinion, given national treasure status for its services to chardonnay appreciation in this country. Created in years when the fruit from this heritage-status vineyard in the upper reaches of the Dartmoor Valley, is deemed nothing less than exceptional, this wine is an exercise … Read More