Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014

5 January 2016By Yvonne

Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $20 ★★★★½  When Tony promises more fat and more sass than the last release, he’s not wrong.  Ultra-vibrant aromas of tangy pineapple and grapefruit, toasty roast pineapple, spicy biscuit characters and buckets of stonefruit.  It’s a bold, biscuity and nicely balanced chardonnay that has a long, … Read More

Rod McDonald ‘One Off’ Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2014

22 December 2015By Yvonne

Rod McDonald ‘One Off’ Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2014 $31 ★★★★ If you’re someone who gets weak at the knees when they see a beautiful colour, then strap yourself into your support-hose because this wine has the most gorgeous garnet, ruby hue.  It also boasts tobacco leaf, dried herbs, cocoa, blueberry and a gentle meaty character … Read More

VNO Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014

27 November 2015By Yvonne

VNO Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $16.99 ★★★½ If you’re a fan of tropical, fruit-salad-like chardonnay, then I’m sure this will definitely become a new fave for your fridge this summer.  Chardonnay like this can really suffer if it’s served too cold, so with its temperature sensitive label to tell you exactly when to take it … Read More

VNO ‘Skinny’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2015

27 November 2015By Yvonne

VNO ‘Skinny’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2015 $16.99 ★★★★ At just 9% alcohol and 96 calories per serve this is definitely on the light side of the swing, and with it’s aromas of soft raspberry, cranberry and cherry, you think it’s going to stay there.  However in the mouth this wine has WAY more punch, with … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015

24 November 2015By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015 $24 ★★★★½ I love the heady quince, spiced apple and peach custard aromas, while in the mouth the wine has a sexy, creamy dryness.  There’s a lovely rich, yet chalky texture to this wine and it’s all wrapped up in a long, full, finish.  Clean, satisfying and … Read More

Sam Hunt Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2014

14 August 2015By Yvonne

Sam Hunt Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2014 $24.95 ★★★ “Winter is a warm hearth…” is a line from Hunt’s poem Rainbows and that’s exactly where I’d imagine you should enjoy this wine; either that, or with juicy, fatty snarlers sizzled and oh-so-slightly charred on the BBQ.  Dark magenta-black in the glass and showing pepper, prune, … Read More

Twenty Five Years for Alpha Domus

16 June 2015By Yvonne

Happy Birthday Alpha Domus “It’s a great time to celebrate 25 years of being in the wine trade,” says a clearly chuffed Paul Ham of Alpha Domus as he introduced a room full of hospitality professionals in Wellington recently. “It’s also the perfect time to introduce you all to the 2013 Aviator and 2013 Navigator. … Read More

Chefs Create ‘Zealous Passion’Tribute to Noel Crawford

22 July 2014By Yvonne

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

New Zealand’s First 2014 Sauvignon Blanc Released Today

1 April 2014By Yvonne

  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…

11 August 2013By Yvonne

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