Passionfruit curd, lime, preserved lemon aromas and in the mouth it is herbaceous and crisp but a little hollow in the mid-palate. 3 stars $18
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $21 * * * ½ Dried herbs, ripe plum, sweet cocoa, wild mint and a vein of smoky, cedary, spiciness will wash across your tastebuds as soon as you sip this gutsy red. The acidity is fresh and the tannins quite chewy, which bodes well for those of … Read More
Kate Radburnd Sun Kissed Pinot Gris 2010
Kate Radburnd Sun Kissed Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2010 $18 * * * ½ A delicious aromatic combination of quince and spiced custard apple and in the mouth it’s tropical yet dry and textural with an edge of peachy complexity on the finish. Superb with stir-fried garlic prawns on Vietnamese salad. www.kateradburnd.co.nz
Fromm Vineyard La Strada Marlborough Chardonnay
Fromm Vineyard La Strada Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $32 * * * * * A delicious aromatic combination of custard squares brandy snaps and tropical brulée notes. In the mouth it has incredible freshness and weight with an edge of hazelnutty complexity on the back palate. A stunning, lengthy finish makes it chardonnay perfection.www.frommwinery.co.nz
Thirsty Work Teaser
A tiki tour around New Zealand to meet the hard-working and occasionally slightly mad characters that are responsible for the drinks that I love so much. Its thirsty work, but some-one’s gotta do it!
Fair suck of the sav’ mate!
New Zealand wines banned from entering leading Australian wine shows… In a case of fair suck of the sav’, some of New Zealand’s leading wineries have been refused permission to enter their wines in the upcoming Royal Hobart Wine Show according to an article written by Giles Hine of www.tizwine.com. Royal Hobart’s reason for their … Read More
Black Barn Tukituki Sauvignon Blanc
Black Barn Tukituki Sauvignon Blanc 2009 $25 * * * Lengthy, lean and scented with soft green herbs and lime on the nose, this Hawke’s Bay sauvignonis bone dry and has impressive minerality which makes for an elegant, ultimately drinkable drop. www.blackbarn.com
Alpha Domus The Navigator
Alpha Domus The Navigator 2004 $25 ***** The fact that this wine is only $25 a bottle astounds me. It is one of Hawkes Bay’s most popular Bordeaux blends and after one sip it’s glaringly obvious as to why. It’s almost a crime to have this wine shut away in a bottle – there should … Read More
Ata Rangi Petrie
Ata Rangi Petrie Chardonnay (Wairarapa) 2008 $27 ****1/2 A lovely, clean chardonnay that in addition to hints of nutmeg, grapefruit pith and shortbread on the nose, has juicy stonefruit flavours, bracing acidity and minerality on the palate and a slippery-smooth nutty finish. If you’re a scallop wrapped in bacon I’d be very afraid…
Ata Rangi Craighall
Ata Rangi Craighall Chardonnay 2007 $40 ***** Like a chrysanthemum unfolding a hundred perfect petals, this wine opens up a whole new world for your tastebuds as it oozes ripe grapefruit, toasty oak and concentrated mealy, peachy flavours. Made from old Martinborough vines, the Craighall cements itself as one of New Zealand’s Super Classics – … Read More