The Flying Winemaker Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $30 If you were expecting a syrah that simply offered bog-standard violets and pepper, this one delivers SO much more than that. It delivers joy and wonder and unicorns and dreams and glittery goodness all wrapped up in a spicy, blueberry-cloaked cloud. Bright, energetic, and dangerously easy to … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa 340 Blanc 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa 340 Blanc 2019 $45 I just lurve me a blended white. Like, really love them. To the point of obsession, where people keep a wide berth and try to avoid my gaze in the tasting room. Grown just outside of Carterton, this magical mélange shows the soft herbaceousness of sauvignon blanc, the … Read More
Gladstone Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2021
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2021 $24.99 There’s something in the deep, dry, rocky soils of the ancient terraces of the Ruamahanga River that gives Gladstone Vineyard’s pinot gris its deliciously dry superpowers. Spice-stacked and mineral-focused, it has a core (scuse the pun) of pear and green apple which provides the spine for crunchy acidity … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2019 $28.99 The unmistakable aroma of orange zest, apricot and a little jiggle of jasmine tells you that this is going to be a great little viognier. Grown organically on the ancient rocky terraces above the Ruamahanga River, this is an ultra-bright, beautifully balanced example of a variety that’s notoriously difficult … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Estate Pinot Gris 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Estate Pinot Gris 2019 $25 Paired with: Braised Fennel with Lemon in Canvas Magazine in the NZ Herald March 12th 2022 The state of the world is all a bit bung, a bit pakaru and more than a tad huckery right now. So tuck yourself away with a few good friends, bake them … Read More
The Flying Winemaker Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2019
The Flying Winemaker Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2019 $29 From winemakers Eddie McDougall and Monty Petrie and their team comes a rhubarb-laced, spice-edged, wild strawberry-stacked pinot noir from their small but perfectly formed vineyard on the Gladstone terraces between Carterton and Martinborough. Soothing textures, easy-like-Sunday-morning tannins and a moreish, meaty note on the finish, makes this … Read More
The Flying Winemaker Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2020
The Flying Winemaker Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $20 Wairarapa sauvignon blanc is seriously underrated in my book. Its distinctive lemongrass, soft herb, citrus and sweetpea signature is evident in this example by winemaker Eddie McDougall. Juicy, plush and layered with lemon and apple characters, it’ll bring the grins. Gladstone Vineyard
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2019 $36 A stylishly savoury pinot noir that’s been grown organically and carefully shepherded into the bottle by Ollie Wylie and Chief Winemaker Eddie McDougall, this is a style that is absolutely classic Gladstone. Cherry, tamarillo and dried herb layers wash across deliciously dusty tannins and compliment its supple acidity. … Read More
Gladstone Estate 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012
Gladstone Vineyard 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $19 ★★★½ A superb sauvignon showing peach fuzz, passionfruit and citrus aromas that lead to punchy, cheek-sucking acidity, blackcurrant leaf, pineapple and herbaceous flavours and an intense, lime-laden finish. I’d love to taste this again in 12 months time when it’s had a chance to soften slightly. … Read More
SPEND MORE ON YOUR SANITY
“Oh that’s such a cruisy job – wanna swap?” is something I hear regularly when I meet someone new and they find out what I do for a living. They must think it’s all just wine tasting day in day out, making a telly show and going to the occasional flash party. They don’t see … Read More
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