Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 $21.99 Punchy and peppery right upfront then followed by juicy raspberry and cherry and light leathery, earthy notes on the palate. It’s a great introduction to good, affordable, Gimblett Gravels syrah and as soon as you’ve tasted it you’ll be hooked!
Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $16.99 On the nose this chardonnay has creme brulee, Mackintosh’s ‘Harrogate’ and roast peach perfume, while on the palate it’s rich, decently structured and shows solid juiciness right through to the finish. It’s extremely gluggably good. Widely available.
Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016
Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $19.99 So here’s where things get really tricky because Lion, (the company that sent me this wine to review) say that it’s recommended retail price (rrp) is $19.99. Yet when you Google this wine, some websites, like www.thegoodwine.co.nz say “rrp $34.99 – but our price $16.99”. www.blackmarket.co.nz have … Read More
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $35 I’m a huge fan of this style of sauvignon blanc. I love that a ‘paper nautilus’ is only released when the fruit is exceptional (and 2016 was a rip roarer of a vintage) and I love that it’s been fermented in just one, single, old French … Read More
Osawa Flying Sheep Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Osawa Flying Sheep Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $35 Sealed under cork, this vintage is still holding solid acidity and freshness and tropical tones, yet the positively demure 11%alc kind of makes the wine feel a little meh and mediocre in the mid-palate. It’s ok but not great and for $35 I’d be … Read More
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Giesen Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014v While I’m pretty sure the 2018 is out in the market now, there’s still a fair bit of the 2017 lurking around, so I thought I’d taste it again. While the aromas are quite attractive (think bruised basil, capsicum, passionfruit, peach) – the palate is all a bit meh. There’s … Read More
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018
Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 $17.99 No surprises as to why this wine is one of the biggest supermarket favourites in the country. Aromas wise it ticks all the boxes. Pear – yes. Apple – yes. Nashi – yes. Quince – sort of. On the palate there’s upfront sweetness, with a soft, white pepper … Read More
La Vie En Rosé Pays d’OC2017
La Vie En Rosé Pays d’OC 2017 $19.99 Crafted from the cinsault grape by Masters of Wine, Fergal Tynan and Giles Cooke, this is a sweetly fruited, full and generous roseé from the south of France that’ll definitely win friends and influence people. Raspberry, cranberry and a hint of white peach, makes this an easy, dangerously easy Saturday … Read More
Framingham F-Series Marlborough Montepulciano Rosé 2018
Framingham F-Series Marlborough Montepulciano Rosé 2018 $34.99 It’s great to see rosé from Marlborough being constructed from a variety other than pinot noir, and if anyone’s going to get the best from southern-grown montepulciano, then it’s the folk from Framingham. Perfumed with strawberry, creaming soda, and a hint of peppercorn, it has fleshy, plush textures … Read More
Redmetal Vineyards Basket Press Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015
Redmetal Vineyards Basket Press Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $36 Direct from the jazz hands of master Bridge Pa syrah winemaker, Grant Edmonds, this is a plump, plush, softly-peppered style that is drinking darn nicely now. Earthy, and with elaborately elastic tannins, this is supple and sumptuous. Buy now, drink now or forever kick yourself.