Aces and Arrows Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021

March 17, 2024By Yvonne

Aces and Arrows Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 $27 Stu Marfel is the group winemaker for Pernod-Ricard New Zealand and he’s opted to give his regional winemaking team a bit of freedom to get creative with the fruit they know best. Craig from Hawke’s Bay has opted to use his favourite grapes sourced from the Bridge … Read More

Decibel Organic Bridge Pa Hawkes Bay Rosé 2022

October 6, 2023By Yvonne

Decibel Organic Bridge Pa Hawkes Bay Rosé 2022 $24 Daniel Brennan is ‘Decibel Dan’ master of creating rosé that hits that sweet spot between delicacy and weight, which is exactly what I want in rosé. Prepare for sweet, generous fruit with dry textures in every sip (that’s the merlot talking) and . Ripe, cherry and … Read More

Te Mata Hawke’s Bay Bullnose Syrah 2020

September 7, 2023By Yvonne

Te Mata Hawke’s Bay Bullnose Syrah 2020 $68-$80 One of New Zealand’s true icons, not just for Syrah but for wine in general. Grown in the iron-rich soils of the Bridge Pa Triangle, Te Mata’s Bullnose vineyard, is a 15-hectare site planted in 1990 and it’s home to former winemaker Peter Cowley and his family. … Read More

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Rosé 2022

December 19, 2022By Yvonne

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Rosé 2022 $29 With probably the prettiest rosé label I’ve seen in a very long time, this wine is definitely a feast for the eyes. Winemaker Lauren Swift has a lifelong love affair with syrah, so there was no question it’d be the grape used for her new rosé. This … Read More

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Whole Bunch Chardonnay 2021

December 19, 2022By Yvonne

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Whole Bunch Chardonnay 2021 $36 Cardoness Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa Triangle is in conversion to organics and it’s where winemaker Lauren Swift has sourced the Clone 15 and Mendoza fruit from for this richly-styled, fresh-as-a-daisy chardonnay. With aromas of caramelised oak, fresh popcorn, grilled grapefruit and edged with … Read More

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chenin Blanc 2022

December 19, 2022By Yvonne

Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Chenin Blanc 2022 $36 Fretting that the only local chenin blanc you’ve tasted seems to be a touch sweet? Help has arrived in the form of Lauren Swift’s shiny, new, intensely dry example which boasts a lift of apple skin, lime zest, and quartzy, chalky minerality. The palate is beautifully … Read More

Known Unknown Flamingo Bridge Pa Rosé 2022

November 2, 2022By Yvonne

Known Unknown Flamingo Bridge Pa Rosé 2022 $22 Crafted from organic merlot and cabernet franc grapes grown in the iron-rich ‘red gravels’ of Hawke’s Bay’s Bridge Pa wine region and like a true flamingo, it does not care at all for hiding in the background oh no. It’s out there in all its burnished, russety, … Read More

Brookfields Hillside Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020

October 22, 2022By Yvonne

Brookfields Hillside Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 $45 Peter Robertson only makes this, his flagship syrah, when the fruit is exceptional. Sourced from 26yo vines growing on the gentle, sun-baked slopes of the Lyons’ family Hillside vineyard in the Bridge Pa triangle district. It produces tiny bunches of pure and vibrant, violet-scented, berries that create a … Read More

Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Flirt Brut NV

August 25, 2022By Yvonne

Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Flirt Brut NV $40 Crafted in a blanc de blanc style by winemaker Dermot Haworth, this is an extremely refined, elegant, cleansing and crammed with class. Creamy almond and rising dough notes combine with crisp lemon and green apple goodness, while the bubbles are pinprick-fine and create tiny, delicate beading as … Read More

Abbey Estate Medium-Dry Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Riesling 2020

August 20, 2022By Yvonne

Abbey Estate Medium-Dry Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Riesling 2020 $20 This riesling is an excellent example of balance between acidity, natural sweetness, purity of fruit, and alcohol. Erupting with lime, mandarin, and awesome appletastic flavours, this Bridge Pa-grown beauty has tongue-adhesive textures that elongate the length of flavour, um, elongatingly. I also love how the … Read More