Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019

18 February 2021By Yvonne

Domain Road Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $40 Sourced from two vineyards in Bannockburn, their Defiance site on Felton Rd and their Domain Road site, the grapes are lovingly watched over by Fiona Johnson before being handpicked, destemmed into stainless steel, fermented then aged in French oak barriques (30% new) for around 10 months. The … Read More

Hawkshead Private Blend Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019

17 February 2021By Yvonne

Hawkshead Private Blend Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $44 William Swainson, Fellow of the Royal Society, was a natural history scholar and a naturalist who arrived in New Zealand in 1841. Hawkshead was the name of his first home here, and when his descendant Denis Marshall(ex-Minister of Conservation, Minister of Lands, and Associate Minister of … Read More

Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019

10 February 2021By Yvonne

Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $34 Three vineyards provided the fruit for this lip smacking example, Fareham Road, Byrne and Ward which is located 45kms south of Blenheim. It’s a dark, glossy, spice-saturated style that’s laced with soft smoky tones from gentle hand-plunging and  13 months in French barriques, a core of black cherry, tamarillo … Read More

Wither Hills the Honourable Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017

31 January 2021By Yvonne

Wither Hills the Honourable Taylor River Run Pinot Noir 2017 $74.99 In a kind of back-to-front fashion, I tasted the newer, 2018 vintage of this wine before being fortunate enough to see a glass of this, the 2017. Named after The Honourable Charles Bigg Wither, who purchased the Taylor River Run no.14 back in 1848. … Read More

Wither Hills The Honourable Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018

5 January 2021By Yvonne

Wither Hills The Honourable Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $74.99 Named after one of the region’s farming pioneers, ‘The Honourable Charles Bigg Wither’, a man who purchased the Taylor River Run no.14 back in 1848. This rather snazzy piece of land became, over the next 160 years, home to some of Marlborough’s finest wines – and … Read More

Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2019

5 January 2021By Yvonne

Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 $17.50 Crafted by winemaker Matt Large and his team of rosé fans, this is a definite box-ticker for anyone angling for rosé with elegant fruity characters and balanced, dry-styled, crisp textures in the mouth. Cleansing, crunchy and easy on the palate and the wallet – it’s an uncomplicated, … Read More

Wither Hills Single Vineyard Taylor River Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017

4 January 2021By Yvonne

Wither Hills Single Vineyard Taylor River Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $25.99 Here’s the thing. I tasted this wine and immediately wrote ‘Black Doris Plum’ – then it wouldn’t let me go. It’s the perfect season for them and I had to have one. I got in my car and raced to every supermarket and roadside … Read More

Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018

4 January 2021By Yvonne

Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $21.99 Lightly styled and boasting red berries stitched together with classic tamarillo on toast characters, it’s a fresh, nicely spiced example that’s easy to navigate and appreciate. Widely available and a total crowd-pleaser without being a trauma for your wallet. http://www.witherhills.co.nz

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019

31 December 2020By Yvonne

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $49.99 The excellent thing about Villa Maria having multiple sites in Marlborough from which to source pinot noir from, is that when it comes to crafting the ‘Reserve’, those soils really are their oyster. The best rows from the best blocks are chosen and made as individual wines … Read More

Taylors Estate Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2018

31 December 2020By Yvonne

Taylors Estate Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2018 $19.95 For aeons I’ve been a huge fan of Pinot Noir from the cool, inland Adelaide Hills region. It’s second-only to Tasmania for those soft, cherry-soaked. spice-sprinkled styles. And while this example from Taylors may not knock the socks off Pinot Noir connoisseurs, it’ll sure as heck appeal … Read More