Wairiki Estate The Redeemer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018 $39.99 Crafted out in Mangatahi, on terraces high above the Ngaruroro river in the Maraekakaho area of Hawke’s Bay, it’s a seriously fragrant, cherry and dried herb-hefty style from a brand so small and under the radar, they’re practically subterranean. There’s a black tea and cranberry … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 $20 I love how on the back label it says this wine would pair perfectly with charcoal-cooked muttonbird. And I thought my food matches pushed the envelope! This syrah is hits that balance between bright, vibrant florals and fruit and a deeply savoury spectrum that’s edged with white pepper … Read More
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2017
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2017 $32 If you’ve been searching for a viognier that’s not a headrush of sweetness and oiliness and OTT everything, then here’s your wish granted. Grown in the iron-rich soils of the Bridge Pa sub-region of Hawke’s Bay, this viognier has subtle orange blossom aromatics, a soupçon of spice … Read More
Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $34.99 Reviewd in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Beef Cheeks with Parmesan Polenta The Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 ($34.99) is the glossiest, most gorgeously fruit-saturated and spice-soaked thing to pair with this beef cheek recipe. Is it because of its lifted, pepper punchiness, … Read More
Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $34.99 Reviewed in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Salmon, smoked fish and fennel pie Chardonnay all day is what springs to mind when gathering all the components together for this perfect pie. The Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 ($34.99) is chock full of ripe, roasted stonefruit … Read More
Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2019
Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2019 $29 Reviewed in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Chicken, leek and thyme pie Hand on heart, if you do not do everything you can to nab yourself a bottle of the Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2019 ($29) to sip and swirl with … Read More
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $22 Reviewed for dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 – Paired with Lamb Shank Pie Combining two of my absolute favourite things, lamb shanks and pies, this meal is given a leg up (shank, leg, ahem) by the delicious Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 ($22). With its vibrant, plummy perfume, … Read More
Brookfields Barrique Fermented Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018
Brookfields Barrique Fermented Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 $27 While the winery is already on to the 2019 vintage of this wine if you’re able to find any bottles of this 2018 around the traps, snap it up! This multi-award winning style is a masterclass in how viognier should be crafted. Boasting all the classic apricot, … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling Cuvée 2018
Te Awanga Estate Wildsong Sauvignon Blanc Sparkling Cuvée 2018 ($poa) Truth be told, I’ve not been a big fan of the sparkling sauvignon blanc style, but this little export-only lovely from Te Awanga Estate in Hawke’s Bay has more personality packed into it than a high school drama troupe (and we all know how OTT … Read More
Stonecroft Undressed Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2019
Stonecroft Undressed Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2019 $31 I love how exotically perfumed this organically-grown Gimblett Gravels merlot is, and the fact that it’s made with no added sulphites (hence the ‘undressed’) – so I’m loving what it has, and what it hasn’t. Perky plum, pepper and pomegranate layers set the pace for boatloads of berries … Read More