MEDIA RELEASE NZ Top chefs join for top dinner Avid foodies will have to be quick to get tickets as some of New Zealand’s best chefs create a four-course dinner on 30th August 2014 in celebration of their friend and colleague the late Noel Crawford. But that’s not all. Their purchase will raise funds … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
New Zealand’s First 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Released Today
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Hawke’s Bay releases the nation’s first 2014 “Sauvy” Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand – April 1st 2014 – Marlborough may be the home of Sauvignon Blanc but this year Hawke’s Bay is its home-away-from-home, as the first Sauvignon Blanc of the season hits the market today care of local winery Moana Park. The “Crush … Read More
Let’s be Franc…
When it comes to popular wine varieties cabernet franc is the bridesmaid of the Bordeaux family. Essential in that everyone expects it to be there, (to make up the numbers and keep the feng shui of all the flavours in balance) but it never seems to be singled out for much attention. I absolutely love … Read More
Stonecroft 30th Anniversary Shindig!
An interesting wee invitation popped into my inbox from the lovely Andria Monin from Stonecroft in Hawke’s Bay “We will be celebrating Stonecroft’s 30th anniversary at Labour Weekend. As you know, since we took over at Stonecroft in 2010 we have held an Annual Vintage Sale at Labour Weekend, where we have brought out some … Read More
Balthazar Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010
Balthazar Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010 $25 Inky and glossy in the glass, it’s a deep, brooding, earthy wine which is stitched together with violet, dark berryfruit, pepper, smoke and hints of graphite. Succulent, solid tannins add to its chewy length of flavour and its potential to cellar nicely indeed.
Ash Ridge gets busy…
It is exactly one year since Ash Ridge Wines opened their tiny, tin shed cellar door on State Highway 50, ten minutes drive southeast of Hastings. Offering a handful of wines, coffee, tea and good old gap-fillers like antipasto, cheese platters and lasagne, they’re perfectly poised to snare parched and peckish people speeding north from … Read More
Church Road Reserve Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2010
Church Road Reserve Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2010 $40 I love the essence of orange oil, quince and wild flowers on the nose and the immediate burst of mandarin, apricot and soft spices in the mouth. Its lusciousness and mid-palate texture is absolutely divine and it’s a superb example of the style. One glass is just … Read More
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2010
Lovers of the Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2010 $35 will also be pleased to know that Buck believes “in all modesty, the 2010 Elston is probably the best version we’ve ever done”. 2010 was a sensational year for Hawke’s Bay chardonnay and I’ve got to agree with John, this wine is unbelievably gorgeous. Fresh, crisp and crunchy … Read More
Cypress Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2010
Cypress Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2010 $21 Lifted spicy plum, raspberry and deep cherry and cocoa aromatics followed by a lovely chocolate, smoke character on the finish, this is a fantastic, fresh, beautifully balanced red that will definitely impress. I think it’ll cellar well for another 4-5 years if you’re disciplined enough. www.cypress.co.nz Cypress Hawke’s Bay … Read More
Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009
Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009 $57 Glossy, magenta flecked with crimson it has exotic plum blossom, blackberry and cocoa aromas and one sip shows beautiful, multilayered texture in the mouth. Excellent fruit concentration, and the 37% cabernet sauvignon component is robust and ripe providing a solid backbone for the merlot, malbec and franc. It … Read More