Tantalus Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2018 $39 While Tantalus are one of THE places to be and be seen on Waiheke Island, their winemaking team like to mix things up a tad, of an occasion, when the opportunity presents itself. They’ve managed to secure fruit from one of their trusted vineyards in Hawke’s Bay and created … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Ash Ridge Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019
Ash Ridge Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 $22 No joke, when this wine was poured for me, the glass was over a metre away and as the wine sloshed from the bottle, the space between me and it was filled with a cloud of apple pie intensity. Bright, ripe fruit, baking spices, pear and … Read More
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $35 Grown on the limestone-laden soils of the Waimarama Road, this syrah has its own distinct personality and it’s not a massively peppery one. Flying in the face of what we consider ‘classic’ Hawke’s Bay syrah, the Home Block is intensely floral and fruit-driven, laced with baking … Read More
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $28 Winemaker Guillaume Thomas managed to secure cabernet sauvignon fruit exclusively from the famous Gimblett Gravels district for the 2018 vintage, and egads and forsooth! Has it made a difference! His style is still typically super-elegant and smooth (and that’s just his hairstyle and dress sense) yet the … Read More
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019
Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019 $29 Returning to his dry-style roots not seen since 2013, winemaker Gordon Russell has taken fruit for the first time from Ian and Linda Quinn’s Two Terraces Vineyard located west of Hastings in Maraekakaho where they grow two clones of chenin, 220 and 880. Handpicked, cooled … Read More
Wairiki Estate The Redeemer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018
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
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