Bodega Lagarde Guarda Blend 2012 $27 ★★★★ Sourced from one of the oldest bodega’s in the Llujan de Cuyo region of Mendoza in Argentina, this is a blend of 40% malbec, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 20% merlot and 10% syrah that’s been aged for 12 months in French oak. I love its black fruit intensity, liquorice … Read More
Three from the length of the country
Published NZ Herald Sat 27 Feb 2016 From the tropical far north, to the dry, dusty heat of Hawke’s Bay, to the coolness of Canterbury and beyond, the vines are thriving under our summer sun with bunches fit to burst come harvest time… Butterfish Bay Pinot Gris 2015 $20 ★★★½ Pinot gris is … Read More
Marsden Estate Bay of Islands Tempranillo 2014
Marsden Estate Bay of Islands Tempranillo 2014 $42 ★★★★ Who would have thought that big, busty, dusty Spanish red grapes like Tempranillo would ever be happy growing in a tiny, 10 acre, sub-tropical pocket of Northland? Not many, if any. But Rod McIvor of Marsden Estate had full faith and this juicy, plush, spicy red … Read More
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2015
Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2015 $29 ★★★★ Winemaker Todd Stevens and viticulturist Richard Flatman have done a cracker of a job creating pinot gris that smells like pear and apple strudel served with poached quince and cream. Exotically spicy, chock full of ripe fruit and has a deeply textural mouthfeel that’s fresh and funky. A … Read More
Fox Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Fox Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $18 ★★★½ This is a sweet, sweaty sauvignon crafted by 40-year winemaking veteran John Belsham and his team at Foxes Island Wines, and for the price it’s a darn good drink. Classic passionfruit and basil and even a splash of elderflower followed by a lick of lemongrass and lime. Nicely … Read More
Beach House Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2013
Beach House Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2013 $25 ★★★★★ Outrageously good. So good in fact it was selected a one of just twelve wines to represent the very best of the famous Gimblett Gravels appellation from the much lauded 2013 vintage. That it’s only $25 a bottle is quite staggering because it tastes better than … Read More
Clos Marguerite Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Clos Marguerite Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27 ★★★★½ For me, sauvignon blanc’s like this absolutely scream their sense of place. From a mile away you can tell it’s from the Awatere Valley because of the gorgeous elderflower, lemon blossom, peach and lime perfume typical of the region that just romp from the glass. Delicate herbaceousnesss, … Read More
Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015
Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 $25 ★★★★½ Lovers of sweeter pinot gris are sure to go doolally over this honeysuckle-soaked style. Think nectarine, nashi pear, mandarin and the pungent tang of quince, make this Bannockburn-grown gris downright gorgeous. Superb with your next chicken tikka marsala. www.domainroad.co.nz
Hãhã Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Hãhã Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $15.99 ★★★½ I’ve been trying to recall if there’s ever been a vintage of this wine that I’ve tasted and been less than wowed by. And there isn’t one. This shiny new example has intense lime, feijoa, gooseberry and classic passionfruit flavours abound. It’s juicy, generous and represents really good … Read More
Snapper Rock Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2013
Snapper Rock Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2013 $16.95 ★★★★ Well I for one did a little dance after tasting this wine because not only is it bright and berry-stacked on the nose, but it’s loaded with plum, boysenberry and attractive vanilla, spice and smoky notes on the palate. It’s a warm, cuddly, silky and slippery … Read More