Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 $45 Hailing from one of Hawke’s Bay’s ‘holy trinity’ of vintages (2019, 2020, 2021), the name Elspeth was given, years ago, to their flagship wines, after the owner/winemaker of the time Tim Preston’s grandmother, Elspeth Preston. Only released when the fruit is fantastic, this cabernet sauvignon would … Read More
Hawke’s Bay
The Flying Winemaker Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
The Flying Winemaker Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $30 If you were expecting a syrah that simply offered bog-standard violets and pepper, this one delivers SO much more than that. It delivers joy and wonder and unicorns and dreams and glittery goodness all wrapped up in a spicy, blueberry-cloaked cloud. Bright, energetic, and dangerously easy to … Read More
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2020
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2020 $25.99 Paired with: The Ultimate Beef Burgers by Annabel Langbein in the NZ Herald Jan 28 2023 Eating burgers isn’t something you can do sexily. Unless you’re Anya Taylor-Joy of course. Her character Margot gets to masticate Chef Slowik’s meaty offering in that mind-bending movie The Menu. … Read More
I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection
I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection. Twelve wines whittled down from dozens submitted that were judged by Cameron Douglas MS to reflect the absolute finest examples created from the 2020 vintage from the Hawke’s Bay region. I love that there’s a healthy sub-regional spread in terms of where they were grown and … Read More
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020
Trinity Hill ‘125 Gimblett’ Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2020 $80 Golden in the glass and scented with smoky French oak, scorched cashew and brazil nut notes, grilled grapefruit and hints of baked apricot and citrus complexity, this chardonnay is ultra-enticing from the first sniff. Plus delicious depth and mineral layers coexist with a creamy, citrus-centric core, … Read More
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Hieronymus 2019
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Hieronymus 2019 $125 A blend of 60% cabernet sauvignon, (clone 10), 29% cabernet franc (clone 326) and 11% merlot (clone 181) sourced from predominantly their ‘Stone’ Gimblett Gravels vineyard, this wine is the epitome of what the Elephant Hill team can achieve from an excellent vintage. Inky-dark and glossy, this wine … Read More
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $125 From what’s fast becoming known as the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay vintages (19.20,21) Airavata is the absolute pinnacle of what the Elephant Hill winemaking team can achieve with syrah. And I’ll tell you right now, it’s so gorgeously, garnet-hued, glossy and inky-dark, it wins stars on … Read More
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Whole Bunch Gamay Noir 2022
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Whole Bunch Gamay Noir 2022 $36 The Lucknow Vineyard out west of Hastings in the Maraekakaho sub-region, has some of the oldest gamay noir vines in the country, and Lauren Swift’s taken advantage of those heritage vines for her shiny new vintage. Once harvested the bunches and any loose berries were sealed … Read More
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Rosé 2022
Swift Wines Bridge Pa Triangle Rosé 2022 $29 With probably the prettiest rosé label I’ve seen in a very long time, this wine is definitely a feast for the eyes. Winemaker Lauren Swift has a lifelong love affair with syrah, so there was no question it’d be the grape used for her new rosé. This … Read More
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Gamay Blanc de Noir 2022
Swift Wines Maraekakaho Gamay Blanc de Noir 2022 $36 Sourced from one of the oldest gamay vineyards in the country, Lucknow Vineyard in Maraekakaho, the fruit was lightly pressed immediately after harvest to glean the freshest juice, but the least amount of colour from the skins. Fermented at cool temperatures in stainless steel and left … Read More