Pask Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 $22 Gloriously golden in the glass, this chardonnay comes from one of the greatest vintages in Hawke’s Bay’s wine memory, 2020. And with winemaking know-how dating back to 1985, it’s no surprise that the Paskers have created chardonnay erupting with creamy, peachy intensity and glistening with glints of grapefruit in … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Maison Noire Teroldego Hawke’s Bay Hand Picked Single Vineyard Port 2021
Maison Noire Teroldego Hawke’s Bay Hand-Picked Single Vineyard Port 2021 $28 Teroldego is a red grape variety grown primarily in the northeastern region of Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Italy and there’s a school of thought that it may be related to Marzemino (which is grown in Hawke’s Bay by Church Road) So one could come to the … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2021 $35 The nose of this wine absolutely roars with bay leaf and bouquet garni characters, a dusting of dark cocoa, gentle, plush plums and boysenberries ahoy! Classic cabernet characters of cigar box and cedar merge with blackcurrant, dark cherry, hints of black olive and briny goodness … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Arneis 2022
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Arneis 2022 $25 Just 170 cases were made of this lusciously lemony, apple and apricot-laced, peach-packed Italian favourite made in Hawke’s Bay. Guillaume Thomas has created a juicy, multi-layered white wine with a splash of sweetness that’ll wake up even the most tired tastebuds with its nectarine and honeysuckle intensity. Hints … Read More
Historic vertical tasting of Esk Valley ‘The Terraces’ 1991-2021
This week, on November 22nd some of the rarest bottles of Esk Valley The Terraces will come up for auction at Webb’s in Mt Eden as part of a two-day fine wine and whisky event. Last Wednesday I was extremely fortunate to attend a once-in-a-lifetime Esk Valley ‘The Terraces’ tasting at Webb’s for a small … Read More
Known Unknown Pakipaki Syrah 2021
Known Unknown Pakipaki Syrah 2021 $37 Just south of Hastings in Hawke’ Bay is the sleepy hamlet of Pakipaki, famous for its deep, limestone soils (there’s even a limestone quarry nearby), soils that aren’t your typical base for a place where syrah is more famous for growing in its gravel-rich appellations. Whole-bunch fermented for a … Read More
Known Unknown Flamingo Bridge Pa Rosé 2022
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
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2021
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2021 $39 Ok, so looking at the 2019, 2020 and 2021 examples, of Trinity Hill’s chardonnay I think, “what have they been feeding the winemakers?” Because there’s something seriously deliciously evil going on. Especially in this vintage. Is it the popcorn drizzled with grapefruit curd? The roast peach and baked … Read More
Brookfields Hillside Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020
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
Tironui Estate Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022
Tironui Estate Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022 $25-$30 Crafted from a blend of 73% malbec and 27% cabernet sauvignon grown on the steep terraces of the Sugar Loaf hill looking out over Napier, toward Cape Kidnappers. Richard and Jennifer Brown established Tironui Estate back in 2003, and they’ve been turning out tiny amounts … Read More