Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Syrah 2019 $120 The ‘treat ’em mean, keep ’em keen philosophy applied by winemaker Chris Scott to these vines, is pretty hardcore. I mean dropping the crop by 60%-70%? That’s practically abuse! And yet this Bridge Pa-grown wine tastes like its long, loose bunches have been lovingly cuddled and … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2020
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2020 $120 Cropped to just one bunch per shoot, a very meagre amount equating to roughly 1.2 – 1.3kg of fruit per 1m of canopy, it’s no wonder the wine smells and tastes so densely concentrated. Soft, suede-like tannins cloak a core of seasoned leather, graphite, smoky … Read More
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $120 For a wine that hasn’t been fined or filtered, it’s deeply inky and glossy in the glass and the floral aspect is super-pretty. In addition to red rose, plum and boysenberry aromatics, classic Bridge Pa graphite and iron filings also unveil on the nose … Read More
Church Road One Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Redstone Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $120 According to winemaker Chris Scott, cabernet sauvignon is an optimistic variety. “It’ll deal with stress in the vineyard calmly, just assuming things will improve, so it kind of sailed through the vagaries of the 2019 vintage easily,” he says. Clearly, the cabernet’s positive attitude paid … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2021
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2021 $23 Boasting classic rose petal, frangipane and gingerbread aromas which quickly morph into generously dry, rich, roasted peachy flavours in the mouth. Luscious, lengthy and loaded with personality and charm, winemaker Paul Dawick has done a delicious job with a wine produced only in special years. Millsreef.co.nz
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 $21 If the stunning colour doesn’t rip your rompers, the instant hit of red apple and raspberry, a face smash of watermelon, creaming soda and cherry will finish the job in fantastic fashion. Crisp, punchy, citrus-stacked and deliciously dry, it’s a bright, refreshing, stylish sip. Maison Noire
Maison Noire Fraicheur Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Maison Noire Fraicheur Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $22 If you’re looking for chardonnay that’s not cloaked in oak, then you’ve arrived in the right avenue my friend. Crafted by Guillaume Thomas from fruit grown in a tiny vineyard in the Puketapu region, this wine is layered with lemon, pineapple and grapefruity goodness and boasts a … Read More
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2019
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2019 $30 Chris Harrison is a syrah superstar in my book. Each year his Gimblett Gravels grown grapes produce the peppery, cocoa-dusted goods. The 2019 oozes blueberries, dark chocolate, Christmas pudding spices across the nose and palate, the tannins are smooth, softly elastic and have excellent chew-factor. It’s a warming, … Read More
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $27 Quick word. Peel your eyes away from this necktag and let them bathe in the sight of this dark, glossy, gorgeous thing pouring into your glass. Impenetrably inky, and smelling like saddle leather rubbed with baking spices, blackberries and dark cocoa. This wine was made by the scarily … Read More
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Church Road 1 Single Vineyard Terraces Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $100 Word on the street is that 2019 was a blistering blinder of a year for chardonnay in Hawke’s Bay and that the fruit was set to flourish into something more fabulous than ever before. The word on the street is entirely accurate. Immensely powerful … Read More