Redmetal Vineyards Basket Press Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $36 Direct from the jazz hands of master Bridge Pa syrah winemaker, Grant Edmonds, this is a plump, plush, softly-peppered style that is drinking darn nicely now. Earthy, and with elaborately elastic tannins, this is supple and sumptuous. Buy now, drink now or forever kick yourself.
2015
Peregrine Central Otago Chardonnay 2015 $37 ★★★★½
I love that old-school, buttered crumpet and classic golden queen peach and grapefruity goodness in this chardonnay. Here’s an example of how you merge fresh fruit from across the tropical, citrus and stonefruit spectrum, with finely tuned French oak and a burst of buttery bliss. Nadine Cross is the winemaker at Peregrine and her skills … Read More
Astrolabe Province Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 $26 ★★★★
Although it might confound you to understand how someone could chuck in a scintillating study path in the physiology of seaweed (phaeophycology in case you’re curious) to embark on a career in wine – that’s exactly what Simon Waghorn did. Thank heaven because we wouldn’t have this tangy, grapefruit pith, peach stone and toasty, textural … Read More
Mt Maude Central Otago Dry Riesling 2015 $25 ★★★★½
If you were to meet winemaker Sarah-Kate Dineen whilst sipping this wine, you’d be struck by a sudden urge to shout, “Wow! If this wine were a person, it’d totally be her!” Crisp, vivacious, toothsome and tangy, it bounces around with incredible intensity, presence and depth. The hand-picked, foot-stomped fruit for this citrus-soaked riesling, comes … Read More
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $32 ★★★★½
Straight away you’ll be struck by the stunning ruby-garnet colour of this Bendigo-grown pinot – but despite the prettiness of the colour, this wine is quick to grip you around the gumline and shake you into submission. Exotic rosehip, cherry and smoked sandalwood aromas lead to a palate packed with rhubarb, cranberry, black tea and … Read More
Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $20 ★★★½
Intense blueberry and bay leaf aromatics, stacks of peppercorn, cocoa and plummy notes. Warming and velvety in the mouth – plump and saucy yet elegantly poised. Baking spices and smoky, nutty notes on the finish. Give it a few minutes to open up in the glass and you’ll be rewarded for sure. www.redmetalvineyards.co.nz
Brookfields Hawke’s Bay Bergman Chardonnay 2015 $20 ★★★★
Peter Robertson has owned Brookfields since the 1970’s so he’s seen a thing or two in the evolution of chardonnay. He’s also decided that good, old fashioned creamy, tropical and citrus fruit is what makes it magical. Taking its name from the Bergman roses which sit at the end of every row, this chardonnay is … Read More
Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Crofters Syrah 2015 $22 ★★★½
If you’re after pure peppercorn and light violet layers in your syrah then you’ve come to the right place. A brisk, sandy texture in the mid-palate and some punchy plum and boysenberry fruit forces its way across the tongue and around the back teeth. The finish is juicy and bright, moderately spicy and definitely nicey. … Read More
Cliffhanger Mosel Riesling 2015 $24 (4 stars)
Now why would you make it easy on yourself by planting your vineyard on nice, even, flat land, when you can pop your plants on rough, rocky cliffs overlooking the banks of the Mosel River. But it’s these extremes creating the eruption of green apple intensity, honeysuckle, lime and lipsmacking, tropical acidity. This German riesling … Read More
Pegasus Bay Waipara Sauvignon Semillon 2015 $31 (4.5 stars)
This rare-for-here blend is now a North Canterbury icon, and it’s definitely one of those try-before-you-die styles. Crafted by Mat Donaldson from vines now 30+ yrs old, both the sauvignon blanc and the semillon parcels were fermented with wild yeasts and 15% of the sauvignon went into brand new French oak, while the semillon stayed … Read More