Pegasus Bay Vergence White Mk 3 $27 The third iteration of Mat Donaldson’s deliciously wild and fabulously feral blended white project, the Vergence* Mk 3 is a multi-vintage wine using 60% oak-aged Semillon, approximately 19% whole bunch fermented Sauvignon Blanc, around 15% Gewurztraminer and a splash each of Muscat and Riesling. From the first sniff … Read More
North Canterbury
Bryterlater Still Life North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Bryterlater Still Life North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $39.99 With its scorched capsicum nose, compacted lawn clippings, bruised basil and lime layers on the nose and palate, it’s a complex, high-acid, fun, feral style. Barrel fermented then aged on lees for a further 10 months, the clear wine then has a portion of its lees … Read More
Fancrest Estate Reserve Organic North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019
Fancrest Estate Reserve Organic North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019 $65 Crafted without fining or filtration, this organic pinot noir grown high up on the deep, limestone soils of the North Canterbury hills, has a slight cloudiness, but a very bright, spicy aromatic spectrum. Stacked with smoky, mushroom and soft pepper notes on the nose, the … Read More
Fancrest Estate Organic North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019
Fancrest Estate Organic North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2019 $45 Bright and floral with hints of red apple and dark cherry on the nose, this is an ultra-fresh North Canterbury pinot grown organically in deep, limestone soils. A cooler vintage has given it a core of smoky oak and dried herb complexity accentuated by tightly coiled … Read More
Fancrest Estate Organic North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2018
Fancrest Estate Organic North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2018 $45. Crafted by Di Holding, one of North Canterbury’s pioneers, from her steep, organically-tended north-facing vineyards which send their roots deep into the limestone hills. This vintage is highly floral on the nose yet carries an earthy undercurrent of dried herb and pine needles which leads to … Read More
Greystone Organic Waipara Valley Pétillant Naturel 2021
Greystone Organic Waipara Valley Pétillant Naturel 2021 $47.99 Paired with: Baked stuffed apples by Annabel Langbein in CANVAS in the NZ Herald June 24th 2023 Crafted in the ancient method of bottling wine unfined, unfiltered and before the primary ferment of a riesling base has had a chance to finish, it’s an apple-laced, feijoa and … Read More
Main Divide Te Hau Reserve North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2021
Main Divide Te Hau Reserve North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2021 $30 Named after Henry Te Hau Tapu Nui o Tu Donaldson, grandfather of the current Donaldson family, pioneers of North Canterbury winegrowing and makers of Pegasus Bay and Main Divide, this pinot is smooth, soothing, saturated with earthy spices, cherry, redcurrant and black tea notes … Read More
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked North Canterbury Riesling 2020
Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked North Canterbury Riesling 2020 (750ml) $46 Make no mistake, the Aria is an aristocrat amongst southern hemisphere sweet wines. Now I know full well that I’m not supposed to encourage any sort of over-indulgence, however, it’s going to be really hard enforcing the moderation message once this utterly excellent thing … Read More
Pyramid Valley Springs North Canterbury Chardonnay 2020
Pyramid Valley Springs North Canterbury Chardonnay 2020 $85 Part of their new ‘Pastures’ collection (which replaces the original appellation series developed by founders Claudia and the late Mike Weersing), it’s crafted from organically farmed, own-rooted, 40+ yo vines, the oldest chardonnay vines in the area. And it’s stunning stuff. Why? Because from the second you … Read More
Pyramid Valley Colours Collection North Canterbury Rosé 2022
Pyramid Valley Colours Collection North Canterbury Rosé 2022 $39.99 The image on the label is of a mallow flower, a plant endemic in Pyramid’s vineyards and gardens, and the wine inside is crafted from some of the oldest, organically, biodynamically-grown pinot noir vines in New Zealand. I love the raspberry leaf layers, and soft, floral … Read More