Paddy Borthwick Falloon Block Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2014

5 July 2019By Yvonne

Paddy Borthwick Falloon Block Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2014 $22 The Borthwick’s are Wairarapa pioneers in farming and grapegrowing and that they’re able to produce such fresh and fabulous pinot noir at this price is testament to their vast experience on the land.  Classic black tea, seasoned leather, black guava and spicy cherry flavours merge with … Read More

Matahiwi Estate ME Wairarapa Rosé 2019

27 June 2019By Yvonne

Matahiwi Estate ME Wairarapa Rosé 2019 $19.99 Ultra-pretty in the glass, like bright, sparkly watermelon and raspberry-coloured, and while you’re sidetracked looking at it, the perfume of wild redcurrant and strawberry will sneak up and seduce you.  SO mouthfilling and satisfying – it’s a fruit fest of plum, guava, buckets of berries, juicy spices and … Read More

Misty Cove Marlborough Rosé 2019

27 June 2019By Yvonne

Misty Cove Marlborough Rosé 2019 $22.99 How pretty is this shiny, new, pinot noir-based rosé?  It absolutely pops in the glass and it’s strongly scented with classic raspberry, cherry and strawberry notes and bursts forth all manner of rich, generous, gob-filling gorgeousness in the fruit department.  Fresh, yet densely flavoured and full-bodied, it’s the complete … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Pinot Noir 2017

24 June 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

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016

22 June 2019By Yvonne

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $49 Three years of quiet time in bottle has allowed the subtle spices in this pinot noir to knit together nicely.  Perfumed with baked berries, soft cherry characters, savoury tones and sandalwood, while the palate is slippery and slick.  Ribbon-like as each sip slides down.  A blockbuster is not … Read More

Rapaura Springs Reservoir Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017

21 June 2019By Yvonne

Rapaura Springs Reservoir Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $39.99 I LOVE this wine!  Fresh, frisky, wild red fruits, buckets of berries, cherries, soft and luscious textures, so pristine, so clean, so focused and plush, lush, spice-infused and fabulous.  The length of flavour is like an energizer bunny in a bottle – it’s so satisfying and … Read More

Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017

11 June 2019By Yvonne

Lamb and Chorizo Sausage Plait (dish Aug Sept 2019) A fruit-forward, soft, plush pinot noir is exactly what this spicy, family-sized sausage roll.  The Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 ($28) ticks all those boxes and more.  Ripe cherry, raspberry and even a tiny squeak of beetroot all erupt from the glass and the flavours are … Read More

Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017

5 June 2019By Yvonne

Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 $28 The Mischief Waipara Pinot Noir 2017 ticks all the boxes for plushness, fruit-forwardness and is one of those wines that’ll inject life into any occasion.  Ripe cherry, raspberry and even a tiny squeak of beetroot all erupt from the glass and the flavours are soft, easy, plump and gentle … Read More

Folium Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016

22 May 2019By Yvonne

Folium Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $30 Winemaker Takaki Okada is one of my favourite artists in the vineyard.  Managing his tiny, Brancott Road property entirely organically and completely by hand.  His love for pinot noir is palpable, infectious, and the flavours he derives from his fruit are completely unique.  Think you know Marlborough pinot noir?  … Read More

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2016

7 May 2019By Yvonne

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2016 $54 As soon as this niceness from North Canterbury nibbles its way up your nostrils, you’ll need to grab hold of a piece of solid furniture to ensure you remain upright enough to put it in your mouth safely.  The wobble factor is a result of the exotically … Read More