Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2024 $24.99 2024 is proving to be an absolute banger of a vintage for Hawke’s Bay reds, and I think this example is one of the best-value merlots on the market right now. Grown in their Gimblett Stones vineyard, this wine is a smoky sensation that’s rich, dense and yet … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Coleraine 2024
Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Coleraine 2024 $175 If there’s one way of describing the 40th vintage of Coleraine, a blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 31% Merlot and 11% Cabernet Franc, it’d be that it’s scented with gunflint and smoked blueberry, delicate graphite dust, black olive and freshly bitten liquorice. On the palate, it offers … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $20 Deliciously rich and softly smoky, this is an ultra-ripe style, typical of Hawke’s Bay’s warmer, Northern climate. Bursting with peach, lemon zest, bruised basil and lime notes laced with a hint of marzipan typical of a splash of barrel fermentation. Delicious. Mills Reef
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2022 $36 Meeting Alex Hendry, Linden’s winemaker, is like meeting an elf-warrior who also happens to be a Mohican punk god that can conjure up magical Merlot-based blends that’ll drag you into his very tasty cult before you can scream “God Save The Queen!” Google him, click ‘images’ … Read More
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah Blanc de Noir 2023
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah Blanc de Noir 2023 $32 It’s not everyday you see syrah made in the style of a white wine, right? But in a year when most of his vineyards were obliterated by Cyclone Gabrielle, winemaker Alex Hendry felt it couldn’t hurt to experiment. What did he have to lose? Well, … Read More
Linden Destination Series Dam Block Hawke’s Bay 2020
Linden Destination Series Dam Block Hawke’s Bay 2020 $64 While there’s a seriously decent splash of merlot in the mix, the cabernet force is strong in this one. Delivering layers of lifted tobacco, dark cocoa, espresso, iron filings, and dusty carpenter’s workshop notes on the nose and palate, it’s roaring with toasty, smoky complexity. The … Read More
Villa Maria Gimblett Gravels Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon 2021
Villa Maria Gimblett Gravels Ngakirikiri Cabernet Sauvignon 2021 $145 From one of the ‘Holy Trinity’ of vintages (2019, 2020, 2021) comes a Cabernet Sauvignon for the ages. Erupting with bay leaf intensity, dark cocoa, dried herbs and deep, brooding tobacco-laced layers wrapping themselves around black fruits and seasoned leather. The tannins have chew and grip … Read More
Linden Estate Destination Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021
Linden Estate Destination Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 $64 From one of the recent holy trinity of vintages (2019, 2020, 2021), this syrah has deliciously gentle ripeness, fragrant florals and fresh peppercorn characters, and a lick of bitter chocolate, blackcurrant, blueberry and leather on the nose and palate. It’s warming, soothing and terrifically textural, with … Read More
Linden Estate Destination Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Linden Estate Destination Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $64 If you’re a fan of classically rich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, you have skipped into the right cul-de-sac, my friend. Crafted by Alex Hendry and from one of the ‘holy trinity’ vintages of 2019, 2020 & 2021, this Chardonnay roars with scorched peach, grilled grapefruit, toasted almond … Read More
Village Vineyards Orchard Road Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2023
Village Vineyards Orchard Road Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2023 $35 Crafted from organically-grown Merlot and Syrah, this rosé not only has freshness and delicacy, it also boasts depth, charm and personality from start to finish. Raspberry, watermelon, redcurrant and a whisper of spice on the nose and palate give this wine lovely presence and persistence of … Read More