Chateau Garage Lyons Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2022 $50 Many winemakers call themselves ‘garagistes’ these days because they do things on a small scale. However I’ve been inside Ollie Powrie’s tiny, old-as-the-hills garden shed, where he makes his wines, and there is literally no room to swing, well anything really. Arms could almost stretch from … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 $24 A strong silver medal winner in the recent 2023 dish Magazine Syrah Tasting Panel, this wine is a rockstar because it roars with fresh, juicy spice-saturated layers on the nose and palate and boasts fine, earthy tannins and stylish, savoury firmness. I really like the pure blackcurrant and … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022 $22 Paired with: Hot Smoked Salmon and Goat’s Cheese Omelette in dish Magazine Issue 109 ‘Dinner for Two’ Pair the rich, oily texture of this hot smoked salmon and the soft, saltiness of the goat’s cheese with this deliciously dry pinot gris. Grown in the sun-baked Ohiti sub-region, … Read More
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2021
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2021 $39 2021 was a sensational year for Gimblett Gravels syrah due to it being cool, even and dry. Remember dry summers? Ah the memories. Each sniff erupts with classic florals and defined blueberry and black pepper notes which provide a ladder climbing down to a spice-saturated palate edged with … Read More
Loss, Learning and Looking Ahead – A post-cyclone wine capital
Loss, Learning and Looking Ahead by Yvonne LorkinMay 16, 2023 Photo: Florence Charvin [As published in May/June BayBuzz magazine.] It’s a generalisation, but even before Cyclone Gabrielle hit Hawke’s Bay, things out in the vineyards weren’t fabulous. The 2022 harvest was hobbled by Spring frosts and unsettled weather through flowering and fruit set, followed by a … Read More
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $60 Just 110 cases were produced of this superb syrah grown in the deep, stony soils of the Gimblett Gravels district (hence the ‘stone’ title) from a vintage that’s fast becoming known as one of the 21st-century greats in Hawke’s Bay. Seductive aromas of peppercorn, violets, red apple … Read More
Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade 2022 Gin $75
Hastings Distillers Blossom Parade 2022 Gin $75 Every year Kate and David, the husband and wife duo behind one of the world’s most exciting gin distilleries, craft a gin in homage to the annual Hastings Blossom Parade, a celebration of Spring and the excitement of a new fruit harvest for the orchard-centric region. Organic botanicals … Read More
Hastings Distillers Autumn Gin 2023
Hastings Distillers Autumn Gin 2023 40% 500ml $85 Just 450 bottles were created of this intensely perfumed and totally unique, limited edition gin from one of our favourite artisanal distillers. Crafted using nine organic botanicals, I love the poached quince, fresh juniper and soft tangelo and tarragon notes that form a warming, soothing, sweetly luscious … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2022 $24 Crafted from 51% tempranillo and 49% syrah sourced from a a combo of their Gimblett Gravels, Moteo Pa and Roys Hill vineyards, this rosé is deliciously dry, crunchy-fresh and fleshy. Soft, savoury spices cuddle a core of bright raspberry and redcurrant to create a zesty, very pretty wine … Read More
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $60 Deep, richly structured Merlot sourced from the Gimblett Gravels has had a floral boost from a splash of 8% cabernet franc sourced from the Bridge Pa Triangle sub-region, and the result is an absolutely plush and perfectly balanced, refreshing red wine stacked with classic damson plum, dark … Read More