Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2020 $30 Crafted from fruit grown in a tiny coast-facing vineyard amongst the hills along the Waimarama Road, this chenin blanc has clean, creamy, almond and apple aromatics and a super-nice nougat and citrus custard character in the mid palate which I really really love. But the … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2019
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2019 $35 This absolute mouthquake of a blend is comprised of 78% Malbec, 14% merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and I am absolutely in love with it! Scented with cedar, blueberry, black doris plum and smoky vanilla vavoom, the palate is saturated with boysenberry, licks of … Read More
Unison Merlin’s Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015
Unison Merlin’s Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015 $38 22 months of careful barrel aging in the first instance, combined with another couple of years of sleepy years in the bottle, this classic Gimblett Gravels merlot is fleshing out in fabulous fashion. Leather layers merge with soft pepper, damson plum and blueberry notes to create a … Read More
Wither Hills Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Wither Hills Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $21.99 If plump, plush, earthy-edged, fleshy merlot is your bag, then get set for a tote-ally (geddit) smooth and saucy experience with this super sipper from Wither Hills. Soft caramelised oak gives a hint of smoke and plummy, red berry notes round out the palate. Nicely done. http://www.witherhills.co.nz
Beach House Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2018
Beach House ‘F’ Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2018 $25 Here’s a fact. If it weren’t for cabernet franc, we wouldn’t have any cabernet sauvignon. You see, back in the mists of time, cabernet franc had some sexy-time with a saucy little sauvignon blanc vine and when the sap began to rise in the springtime, a … Read More
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Temptation Malbec 2019
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Temptation Malbec 2019 $25 Inky magenta in the glass and grizzling around the gills with earthy spices and gamey, wild and woolly notes. Malbec as a single varietal in Hawke’s Bay is not a common thing, particularly in the Bridge Pa area. so when someone decides to bottle it solo, my … Read More
Paritua Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Paritua Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $44.99 Every chardonnay lover under the sun will be skating, skedaddling, scootering and sprinting to get a bottle or twelve of this for their cellar as soon as they know how darn delicious it is. The Bridge Pa Triangle district, where this is grown, is fast becoming a hotspot for … Read More
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020
Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 $24.99 2020 clearly shined bright on the grapes grown on the Ngaruroro River terraces by winemaker Emma Lowe and her Chilean viticulturist husband Marcelo Nunez. The high altitude, rocky, free-draining soils of the Matapiro sub-region inland west of Hastings, is superb for turning out tasty pinot gris. All the … Read More
Unison Maestro Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Unison Maestro Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $32 Just 1733 bottles were made of this toasty mctoastfest of a chardonnay, so if you’re a fan of that oaky, nutty style then don’t dally! Crafted by a Gimblett Gravels producer best known for their stylish red wines, this well-made wine proves they’re no slouch in the chardonnay … Read More
Petane Station Bellbird Block Gewürztraminer 2020
Petane Station Bellbird Block Gewürztraminer 2020 $36 With just 70 dozen made of this lychee-laden little lovely from out Esk Valley way, by the time I finish writing this review it’ll possibly all be gone! My individually numbered bottle (the gorgeous no. 915) poured a perfectly pale gold wine, bursting with baking spices, mango, rosewater … Read More