Bristol Farm Nelson Chardonnay 2019

June 13, 2020By Yvonne

Bristol Farm Nelson Chardonnay 2019 ($39) Winemaker Brendan Seal is best known for his Urbn Vino branded pinot noir wines which he makes at his inner-city winery in Dunedin.  His other, more under-the-radar label, is Bristol Farm.  Chardonnay is the first 2019 wine of his I’ve tasted (unlabelled sample) and it’s telling me that Nelson … Read More

Moutere Hills Sarau Reserve Nelson Merlot 2018

June 9, 2020By Yvonne

Moutere Hills Sarau Reserve Nelson Merlot 2018 $55 With its heady perfume of bay leaf and tobacco, fig and prune characters, this soft, plump, fleshy Nelson merlot has slippers by the fireside written all over it.  Moutere Hills was founded back in 1997 and 27 years on, they’re turning out some seriously delicious wine.  Sarau … Read More

Moutere Hills Nelson Rumer 2016

June 9, 2020By Yvonne

Moutere Hills Nelson Rumer 2016 $55 Here’s a sensational, smoked-berries-and-leather layered lovely from one of our favourite Nelson-based producers. Unusual in that it’s predominantly merlot, winemaker Rusty Rayne (cool name) has also blended syrah and cabernet sauvignon alongside it, to give inject extra, peppery gravitas.  Named after Rusty’s much-loved vineyard Kelpie dog, this rockin’ red … Read More

Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018

February 21, 2020By Yvonne

Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018 $28 Well I’ll be darned.  Mark and Sophie McGill are proven gurus when it comes to making great quality cider.  That’s their background, that’s their strength.  They should stick with that right?  So why did they decide to segway from apples to grapes?  Who knows.  But I’m pleased they did … Read More

Kono Nelson Chardonnay 2018

November 10, 2019By Yvonne

Kono Nelson Chardonnay 2018 $19.99 Sweetcorn fritter Bacon and Avocado burgers (paired for dish magazine Summer 2020) Holy bacon burger batman!  A sweetcorn fritter inside a burger has me absolutely in my happy place.  But give me a glass of the Kono Nelson Chardonnay 2018 ($19) and the grilled grapefruit and roast peach flavours send … Read More

Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2019

October 30, 2019By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2019 $27 I love the way it smells.  Showing apricots, jasmine, mineral notes and really interesting juicy characters alongside a succulent texture.   It’s like very silky very kind of sip, satisfyingly sexy. It’s no wonder that it got a gold medal. That’s because this wine is absolutely stunning and it’s the … Read More

Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019

October 28, 2019By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Nelson Gewürztraminer 2019 ($25) Holy buckets of lychee Batman!  This wine unleashes a lahar of luscious stonefruit succulence and tropical taste sensations on the nose and palate, alongside a sprinkling of ginger, white pepper and nashi niceness.  Crisp, textural and deliciously dry on the finish, it wraps itself around anything tandoori terrifically. www.blackenbrook.co.nz

Brightwater Vineyards Te Kāhu Nelson Pinot Noir 2016

July 18, 2019By Yvonne

Brightwater Vineyards Te Kāhu Nelson Pinot Noir 2016 $26.99 Three years on from harvest and the wine is taking on a lovely brick-red hue and aromas that lead you down the wild side of the hedge. Named after the native harrier hawk which patrols the vineyards of Gary and Valley Neale, it’s softly savoury and … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Pinot Noir 2017

June 24, 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Pinot Noir 2017 $34.99 3 clones of pinot noir abel, 777, 115 are used in the makeup of this wine which has huge aromatics.  Wild red berries, woolly, lanolin, sandalwood, spice, hints of bay, super-fresh acidity and the tannins are stalky and solid.  Warming and smooth, black olive and some soy … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Chardonnay 2017

June 24, 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Chardonnay 2017 $34.99 Mostly Mendoza clone fruit (with some clone 15) grown in the upper Moutere valley, handpicked, aromas of soft grapefruit pith, lemon, poached peach and popcorn.  50/50 wild ferment and innocculation creates a wine that’s fresh and attractively structured in the mouth. Boasting zesty acidity, excellent length of flavour … Read More