Te Mata Coleraine 2018 $115 (5 stars) Sweet fruits, raspberry and cocoa, quite a bit of cabernet franc in the blend and it shows beautifully, lithe and lovely and lifted there’s a great impression, tobacco, saddle leather, pomegranate, richness and the tannins are finely tuned yet tight and fabulously furry – yet the fruit is … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Matahiwi Holly Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Matahiwi Holly Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $25 I can always count on Miles Dineen to craft honkingly stonkingly good wines, and whenever his employer, Matahiwi, release a Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay, I’m all over it like a trendy, weighted blanket from Briscoes. Showing roast peach and nectarine notes, a tweak of grilled grapefruit and toasted cashew … Read More
de la Terre Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle 2016
de la Terre Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle 2016 $47 Finding high-end fizz from is harder than tracking down an honest politician or an affordable house painter that can fit you in before 2023. Happily however, we’ve forensically combed the region and uncovered this ultra-stylish, lemon, brioche and cashew-layered lovely, and best of … Read More
de la Terre Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle
de la Terre Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc Methode Traditionnelle 2015 $45 Sourced from Tony Prichard’s vineyards on the lower slopes of Te Mata peak, this blanc de blanc has just been released after the hand-picked grapes were hand-bottled, hand-riddled, hand-disgorged and hand-labelled after 3 years maturing on its yeast lees. And now its hand-some. … Read More
Music Bay Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2018
Music Bay Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2018 $15.99 If you’re looking for a fruity, smooth, super-easy, quaffy mcquaff face red to soothe the throat, clear the nose and wow the crowds, then you’ve come to the right cul de sac here my friend. Ripe, rumpty, Hawke’s Bay merlot has been blended with cabernet sauvignon to … Read More
Hawkes Ridge Hawke’s Bay Rosado 2020
Hawkes Ridge Hawke’s Bay Rosado 2020 $20 Made from 100% Tempranillo, this wine takes it’s name from the Spanish word for rosé. It is an unusual style, edged with savoury notes, hints of rhubarb and smoked fruits. So long as you’re up for something a little bit funky and not something fruity, then this could … Read More
Hawkes Ridge Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2014
Hawkes Ridge Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2014 $25 Doug Haines has just released this wine after giving it six sleepy years in the cellar. It’s developed a very savoury, developed nature, moving on from any primary fruit it may have once had. Taking on an earthy hue and an even earthier flavour profile, this pinot … Read More
Abbey Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020
Abbey Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 $20 This perky Pinot Gris from the iron-rich soils of the Bridge Pa Triangle brings the sunshine back into the bleakest winter day. Nashi, nutmeg, red apple and pear strudel spices lead to a fresh, dryish mouthfeel that exhibits a deliciously exfoliating texture on the finish. Fermented wild, … Read More
Otu Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020
Otu Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 $20 Lightly structured, lean and edged with soft peachy tones, a hint of popcorn and light lemony notes. It’s a simple, shippable, clean, non-confronting style. http://www.otuwine.com
Abbey Estate Hawke’s Bay Petit Verdot 2019
Abbey Estate Hawke’s Bay Petit Verdot 2019 $25 Paired with: Sticky Stir Fried Beef with greens and noodles (Dish Magazine Issue 97 2021) Increase the yum-ness of this satisfyingly sticky, spicy beef with a great slurp of the lovely new Abbey Estate Obsession Hawke’s Bay Petit Verdot 2019 ($25). Grown in the iron-rich soils of … Read More