144 Islands Northland Chardonnay 2018 $28 Northland has a knack for turning out chardonnay with richness and tantalising creamy textures, and under the watchful eye of Jake Dromgool, one of New Zealand’s star young viticulturists (he’s been on TV and everything!), it takes on extra personality. The roast peach and mango are edged with grapefruity … Read More
Bay of Islands
Rogue Vine The Original Rogue Bay of Islands Pinot Gris 2019
Rogue Vine The Original Rogue Bay of Island Pinot Gris 2019 $25 Look closely at the wine in your glass and you’ll see it’s actually got a lick of pink to it. That’s because pinot gris grapes have a sort of pinky-grey colour and the good folk at Rogue have left the skins in contact … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Final Regional Newspapers Wine Column Saturday 15th Sept 2018
I set my alarm for 4am to begin writing this column. That’s when my house is quiet and calm and no one is yelling at me to help find their socks/tie/glasses/sports gear/keys and cellphones. It’s when I can just tap away on my computer, turning notes from the previous week into something semi-readable and when … Read More
Mad Dog Bay of Island’s Chardonnay 2014 $24 (3.5 stars)
Northland is New Zealand’s oldest yet youngest wine region. It was the place where Rev. Samuel Marsden first planted grapes back in 1819 and Dalmatian migrants planted the seeds of the modern industry in its gum fields. Chardonnay has a natural home here, especially this creamy, weighty, fleshy style. This is the last opportunity to … 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
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