“We basically just guide the wine from grape to bottle with as little interference as possible” says Ake Ake’s winemaker, John Clarke. Totally inexperienced when he bought the property in 2004, he went to the library and borrowed some books on how to grow grapes and make wine. Many medals later, he owns Northland’s only … Read More
The Family Company Gisborne Viognier 2015 $25
When art dealer Gene Walker married Gisborne-based clothes designer and café owner Chelsea Thorpe, little did he know that soon he’d be in business making wine with her dad. The Family Company are now one of Gisborne’s most exciting producers, crafting viognier (vee-yon-yay) perfumed with apricots, cardamom, jasmine and orange oil and showing ripe peach … Read More
Fox by John Belsham Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $26
This is a classic ‘berries and cream’ pinot noir, packed with pomegranate, red cherry and raspberry on the nose and palate. However there’s also this really curious aroma of roasting pan juices and savoury, spicy notes in the background, all followed by a wave of super-fruitiness again on the finish. It’s a lithe, luscious pinot … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 1st July, 2017
At Wine-a-Palooza, these quirky performers would definitely be tucked away on the Lilypad stage next to people playing with fire pois, devil sticks and hacky-sacks… Fox by John Belsham Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $26 This is a classic ‘berries and cream’ pinot noir, packed with pomegranate, red cherry and raspberry on the nose and … Read More
Ka Tahi Rangatira Gimblett Gravels Three Barrel Reserve Malbec 2015 $30
Glossy, inky dark and saturated with buckets of berries, vanilla, soft smoky notes and juicy, fleshy, savoury layers make this wine a contender for ribsticking rock star of the week for me. Gentle, textural tannins and attractive tension between the acidity and alcohol (only 13.1% btw) make this Hawke’s Bay version of the Argentinean classic … Read More
Tarras The Canyon Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $59
Just ten years on from launching his Tarras label, Hayden Johnston knows the trophy cabinet is already in need of reinforcement, groaning under the weight of increasingly hefty hauls of trophies and medals for his left-of-centre style of pinot noir. The canyon has a distinctly meaty personality, black tea and toast notes, alongside comforting cherries … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2016 $21.90
With its seductive aromas of ambrosia apple, winter cole pear, caramelized quince, custard apple and peaches, this gorgeous little groo-vee is tangy, crisp and packs a squeak of sunshine into these chilly afternoons. Edged with a dusting of white pepper and crushed seashells, it’s an excellent local example of an Austrian native. Sip with: sweetbreads … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 24th June, 2017
Gruner. Pinot. Malbec. So different, so darn tasty, so definitely your weekend… Jules Taylor Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2016 $21.90 With its seductive aromas of ambrosia apple, winter cole pear, caramelized quince, custard apple and peaches, this gorgeous little groo-vee is tangy, crisp and packs a squeak of sunshine into these chilly afternoons. Edged with … Read More
Rivera Negroamaro Salento 2015 $16.99
Down in southern Puglia, negromaro is the most common red grape in the ground and it’s easy to see why its so loved. Juicy, succulent, red cherry and berry layers combine with sweetly-spiced flavour saturation and terrifically taut texture in the mid palate. Sip with: Italian shredded beef sandwiches www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto 2014 $60
Ultra-glossy in the glass, this tiny little outfit in Matakana specialise in inky-dark, Italian reds, sangiovese and dolcetto. Only 100 cases were produced of this brightly fruited, herb-heavy wine, bursting with boysenberries, black olive, leather and a tweak of tobacco. Fresh, tantalisingly toasty and boasts a deliciously chewy finish. Sip with: Pork cheek ragu on … Read More