Petane Station Esk Valley Pinot Gris 2015 $27 ★★★★½ Hot off the bottling line, winemaker Philip Barber has created a pale gold, pear and peach-laden pinot gris that has absolutely lovely layers of dried pineapple, caramel, anise, rockmelon and fig. Yes, you heard me correct – there’s THAT much in this wine. Pronounced ‘Pea-tarny Station’, … Read More
Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $19 ★★★½ The aromas of this wine remind me of old school eskimo lollies from the pick’n’mix bins at the supermarket. Soft cornflower florals, pear, hints of apple and sweet confection. On the palate however it’s a different story, with the team at Sacred Hill producing a clean, tangy, … Read More
Wild South Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015
Wild South Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $17 ★★★½ Bright raspberry and cherry aromas leap out of the glass in this super-approachable and super-affordable pinot. Gentle spices, soft plummy fruit and an attractive vein of earthiness on the palate makes this a really easy pinot noir to enjoy at any stage of play. Nice to sip … Read More
Domaines Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Pinot Blanc 2013
Domaine Schlumberger Les Princes Abbes Pinot Blanc 2013 $24 ★★★★½ I am totally, 100% in love with this wine. You don’t see much in the way of pinot blanc here in NZ, imported or otherwise, so to come across one that’s so delicious and affordable then I’m all over it. Lean, clean white peach, chalky … Read More
Baron’s and Potter The Countess Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014
Barons and Potter ‘The Countess’ Reserve HB Chardonnay 2014 $32 ★★★★ A brand new label produced for Hawke’s Bay’s Barons and Potter families by Hamish Jardine of Crab Farm, this is an ultra-tropical chardonnay showing hints of honey, spiced pineapple and peach crumble on the palate. There’s a hint of creaminess, but it’s the tang … Read More
Ma Maison Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014
Ma Maison Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $38 ★★★★ Ed Leung is a well-respected, Wellington-based dentist and his wife Marjory spent 30+ years in the banking industry, however they shared an all-consuming devotion to pinot noir, which despite all attempts, they could not shake. So today they grow their own, and with the help of winemaker … Read More
Snapper Rock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Snapper Rock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $15 ★★★★ A perfectly friendly, fruity, passionfruit-packed sauvignon boasting layers of lemon, lime, white stonefruit and all manner of tangy, tropical tastiness. Classic Marlborough sauvignon here, and a great little wine that often comes down a few more dollars on special. www.winebox.co.nz
Pegasus Bay Waipara Gewürztraminer 2014
Pegasus Bay Waipara Gewürztraminer 2014 $30 ★★★★★ Wow! The glittering yellow diamond colour of this wine is quite mesmerizing. It smells like the most delicious combo of lemon Turkish delight, ginger, rose water, Christmas lilies, toffee, runny honey and spice. Rich, unctuous, generously fruity and tangy it is too, making this an irresistibly un-put-downable example.
Brookfields Backblock Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015
Brookfields Backblock Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $21 ★★★½ How pretty is the colour of this wine? Glossy and inky-purple in the glass, it’s also chock full of violets, bouquet-garni herbs and loads of dark berries. There’s a classic hit of pepper – but it’s only there to cuddle the fruit. Fresh and youthful, winemaker Peter … Read More
Main Divide Waipara Merlot Cabernet 2014
Main Divide Waipara Merlot Cabernet 2014 $20 ★★★½ If you thought only the North Island could create good Bordeaux-style reds then best you wrap your gums around this southern sip pronto. Highly fruity on the nose and all manner of raspberry, boysenberry and spicy, cocoa-like characters crash across the palate. Yet the mouthfeel and finish … Read More