Winemaker Steve Gill has outdone himself here, creating a cheek-slappingly good Bordeaux-style red blend from supremely ripe Nelson fruit. Heaving at the seams with dense, dark berryfruit, juicy Christmas pudding spices, smoky oak, ultra-ripe berryfruit and red apple. I’m guilty of not thinking of Nelson when it comes to sourcing bold, merlot-based wines – but … Read More
Element Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2015 $25.00
Brand spanking new from the newest producer in New Zealand’s most famous red wine growing district, here’s an intensely lifted and fragrant, floral and spicy wine that also oozes blackberry and cocoa notes. I love the peppery liquorice and dried rosemary flavours on the mid palate which merge with bold, dark fruit, muscular, meaty tannins … Read More
Renato Nelson Merlot 2014 $27.90
Intensely lifted and floral, this shows plum blossom and black forrest essences which ooze through on the nose and palate. Highly youthful acidity and fine, emery-like tannins lead to a ripe yet ultimately elegant and very Bordeaux-like Merlot. It’s a sophisticated example from Nelson, (a region WAY more famous for its pinot noir, chardonnays and … Read More
Three Dark Horses Single Vineyard Romano McLaren Vale Shiraz 2015 $25.00
This is exactly what gold medal shiraz should taste like! I love love love the florals and blackcurrant leaf aromatics, waves of vanilla and soft, juicy, succulent fruit wash across the palate in the 3DH (that’s what the cool kids call it). Lots of generous chocolate layers appear too. The mouthfeel is plush and plump, … Read More
De Morgenzon DMZ Western Cape Syrah 2013 $29.99
Intensely herbaceous, almost botanical elements on the nose combine with black olive, soy and smoky, savoury notes to create a bold, meaty mouthfeel. Add to that the big, chewy, furry tannins that buoy the dark fruits and cocoa layers, leaving a distinct leathery impression on the finish – and you’ve got a huge, take-no-prisoners syrah … Read More
Pask Small Batch Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $29.00
This is one of those wines that when someone pours it from across the room, you can smell it metres away. Winemaker Kate Radburnd is a cabernet perfectionist and only the best go to bottle in a ‘small batch’. Classic cabernet aromas of liquorice, leather, menthol and bitter cocoa. I love the underlying Christmas pudding … Read More
Seresin OSIP Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $28.50
Named after a relative of founder Michael Seresin, the OSIP wines are the result of a decade-long project to remove additions in the winery. Winemaker Clive Dougall and the crazy organic, biodynamic kids at Seresin have taken things even further in their ‘hands off’ approach by opting to avoid adding any sulphur and non-naturals AND … Read More
Sea Level Home Block Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 $27.50
Winemaker Simon Smail has let loose on his own label here, and the results are predictably top of the leader board. Gorgeous aromas of wild strawberries, herbal tea, cherry, hints of fruitwood smoke, rhubarb leaf and concentrated cranberry characters make it a new favourite sip for me. The tannins are juicy and elastic and the … Read More
Gladstone Wairarapa Rose 2016 $25.00
I adore the pink diamond-ballet shoe hue of this gorgeous little pinot rose from down Gladstone way and I love its seductive, candied aromas and layers of raspberry, creaming soda and juicy red fruits on the palate. Boasting classic cherry and berries and cream characters alongside lip-puckering acidity makes this absolutely magical. Organically produced by … Read More
Coal Pit Central Otago Rose 2016 $26.95
Coal Pit make great pinot in every shape and form and this pinot rosé totally proves it. Raspberry, strawberry and creaming soda on the nose, sweet, tangy fresh berries and watermelon on the palate – what’s not to love? How about we add juicy apple and a layer of lovely, prickly acidity to finish. It’s … Read More