Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2021 $50 For the life of me, I do not know the significance of having a beenie-hatted trout dressed in a Swandri carrying an axe on the label, but hey, I’m honestly not caring, because the wine inside is so so good. I love the way the 2021 has a cleansing, … Read More
Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2020
Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2020 $50 Phill and Carolyn McArthur are the power couple behind Moy Hall and they’re responsible for my newfound obsession with Martinborough Viognier. Grown on the Martinborough terrace, the fruit was fully barrel fermented and aged on its lees for a long, sleepy, 11 months to inject a gorgeous creamy undertone … Read More
Koerner Gullyview Vineyard Clare Valley Rolle 21 Vermentino
Koerner Gullyview Vineyard Clare Valley Rolle 21 Vermentino $45 Depending on how nerdy you are, the word Rolle could either describe a complicated mean-value theorem of differential calculus, or, the French name for the Italian grape vermentino. Damon and Jo Koerner are not ones for making ‘normal’ wines and their Clare Valley version of this Corsican … Read More
Chateau Garage runs on Powrie Power
Garage Days Revisited by Yvonne LorkinAugust 1, 2023 Photo: Florence Charvin [As published in July/August BayBuzz magazine.] “Bruno, our schnauzer, may greet you with a bark,” was the text from Ollie Powrie a few minutes before I pulled up for our interview. So I was prepared, as I noodled up the driveway of his 1920s … Read More
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2022
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2022 $39 Styled differently to the previous 2020 vintage, this version has a more herbaceous, savoury spectrum. It’s lighter, more floral, but perhaps lacking the depth and texture of previous vintages.
Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2023
Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2023 $16-$20 Crafted by winemaker Sanna Stander from a mystery selection of Marlborough-grown grapes, this brand new rosé roars with crisp, crunchy freshness, layers of redcurrant, watermelon and a razzle of raspberry. Dry, mineral-laced, zesty to sip and just the knees of the bees with slivers of salty prosciutto. Black Cottage
Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023 $17-19 Shiny-new and saturated with Pacific Rose apple aromatics, freshly ground baking spices, racy acidity and showing some gum-tingling textures to boot. Nashi niceness washes across the mid-palate and extends into the finish which leaves behind a comet’s tail of minerality. Clean, vibrant and energetic. Black Cottage
Blackenbrook Nelson Chardonnay 2020
Blackenbrook Nelson Chardonnay 2020 $26 Paired with Annabel Langbein’s Gougere – cheesy puffs in the August 5th 2023 NZ Herald Can’t you just imagine yourself arriving (via Citröen) to your French countryside villa in the afternoon to the smell of these cheesy pastries and the clink of a glass of white Burgundy being handed to … Read More
Forrest The Doctors’ Marlborough Riesling 2022
Forrest The Doctors’ Marlborough Riesling 2022 $20-$22 No sooner will your first sip slip down your pipe than you’ll understand why this racy riesling consistently brings home shiny gold medals and 5 star ratings. Boasting lipsmacking green apple goodness and layers of lime sorbet and lemonade, it’s roars in the flavour department, yet whispers seductively … Read More
Te Kairanga Runholder Martinborough Chardonnay 2022
Te Kairanga Runholder Martinborough Chardonnay 2022 $35 LOVING this new chardonnay from the team at Te Kairanga. Named after the name given to Martinborough’s founder John Martin, who ran a sheep farm on the land where Te Kairanga now stands. Back in the day, he was known as a ‘runholder’ and I’ve gotta say, with … Read More