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
Man O’War Paradise Waiheke Pinot Gris 2016 $29.00
Standing in this tiny vineyard on Ponui Island overlooking Te Kawau Bay, you could easily imagine yourself in paradise and want to remain their full-time. And then you remember that it’s hard work making wine – so you shrug and say “best leave this to someone else” and walk away. Winemaker Duncan McTavish and viticulturist … Read More
Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Martinborough Pinot Gris 2016 $25.00
Crafted by the ridiculously talented Paul Mason, Martinborough Vineyard is a veritable aristocrat insofar as pinot gris production is concerned. A pioneer of the region, having started in 1980, they know how to craft elegantly structured, deliciously dry pinot gris with lashings of nashi, ginger, quince and white pepper on the palate. Its persistent length … Read More
Greenhough Nelson Gewurztraminer 2014 $26.00
Andrew Greenhough is an absolute legend insofar as aromatics are concerned. I get really excited every time I see a pinot gris or a riesling from him, but lately I’ve wondered “where’s the gewurz?” That’s because it’s been mostly sent overseas – but huzzah! We’ve snaffled some after much begging and pleading and promising to … Read More
Black Peak Wanaka Riesling 2015 $26.00
I’m only a recent convert to Black Peak, having kicked myself constantly over recent weeks for not having known about James McElrea’s talents til now. After years of working across various Central Otago sub-regions he’s gone out on his own, nurturing a schist, gravel and mineral-quartz rich site, in little known Queensbury district above the … Read More
36 Bottles Central Otago Riesling 2013 $25.00
If you’ve been looking for lime in all the wrong places fret not, here’s your remedy. Grown in the desert-scape of Central Otago’s Bannockburn sub-region, this is a classic dry riesling bursting with green apple, lemon, lime, waves of squeaky acidity and a marathon-like finish that just keeps sprinting along the palate. Named after the … Read More
Toi Toi Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $30.00
Oh my goodness – prepare yourself for a hit of grapefruit sorbet, nectarine, grilled pineapple and waves of crunchy acidity to break across your tastebuds. The oak is impressively toasty, spicy and beautifully integrated with the fruit. The Joyce and Bonner families are the talent behind Toi Toi and every year their chardonnay just gets … Read More
Black Estate Circuit Waipara Chardonnay 2016 $24.00
If you’re looking for a chardonnay bursting with hazelnut, citrus and hints of toast and smoke then this is for you. North Canterbury has real talent for producing chardonnay showing sensational minerality. Combine that with a skilled winemaker who can create creamy, nutty notes in the palate spectrum – then you’ve got a great little … Read More
Silver Wing Waipara Chardonnay 2014 $27.00
Andrew Fox is one of the new players in Waipara, and he funds his tiny winemaking venture by being a builder and renovator during the week. One thing’s for sure, he can definitely buildreally interesting chardonnay. Creamy, nutty marshmallow notes and hints of grapefruit give it fruit saturation, while the wild yeast fermentation and philosophy … Read More
Grava Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27.50
Alistair Gardner and Karla Falloon have crafted a classic, old school-styled sauvignon here from their deep, gravelly vineyard located in the rain shadow of the Rimutaka Range. I love the hints of sweetpea, fresh asparagus, elderflower, passionfruit, lime and preserved lemon on the nose and palate. It’s whole-bunch pressed instead of being traditional crushed, to … Read More