McArthur Ridge Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020

6 December 2021By Yvonne

McArthur Ridge Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $43 Perfumed with poached rhubarb and masses of red berries and cherries, this new ‘reserve’ is a smooth, spice-soaked, style with a core of bright, alluring, fleshy fruit that brilliantly saturates the senses. Have some on hand for when your sister-in-law shows up and asks how you’re … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2021

12 October 2021By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2021 $23 Boasting classic rose petal, frangipane and gingerbread aromas which quickly morph into generously dry, rich, roasted peachy flavours in the mouth. Luscious, lengthy and loaded with personality and charm, winemaker Paul Dawick has done a delicious job with a wine produced only in special years. Millsreef.co.nz

Brancott Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020

26 May 2021By Yvonne

Brancott Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020$19.99 I’m all about finding the cheeky chards and the Brancott Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 is a grin in a bottle basically. Fruit in all the right places, a little bit of toast, lots of creamy, cashew characters and at $15 -$19(depending on where you’re shopping) it’s … Read More

Moutere Hills Sarau Reserve Nelson Merlot 2018

9 June 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

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

4 June 2020By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $24.95 Green peppercorn, violet and blueberry aromatics stand shoulder to shoulder with bright plum and cherry flavours  and then they hold hands and do the Gay Gordons (remember primary school folk-dancing?) with smooth, fine-grained oak and skin tannins accentuated by beautifully balanced acidity.  Nicely made. http://www.millsreef.co.nz

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016

3 June 2020By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016 $24 Re-tasted on June 3rd 2020, this vintage (if you still have it in your cellar or spot one in a shop) is drinking rather superbly.  Lashings of plum, chocolate, cherry and berry characters lead to soft, suede-like textures, warm, velvety notes and a long, smooth finish.  … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2018

15 March 2020By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2018 $24.95 Right from the very first sip you’ll understand how this wine scooped a gold medal at the 2019 NZ Wine of the Year Awards and why it’s been the darling of wine critics around the traps.  68% cabernet sauvignon was blended with 32% merlot, fermented and … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017

2 March 2020By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $23.99 If you’re able to get your hands on this vintage then you’re a lucky sausage – because there’s precious little available and yet it’s drinking SOOOOO (that’s 5 ‘o’s so it’s a banger)  nicely.  Smooth and cherry-driven, layered with black tea and cocoa and showing a luscious … Read More

Mission Estate Hawke’s Bay Reserve Old Vine Semillon 2018

2 December 2019By Yvonne

Mission Estate Hawke’s Bay Reserve Old Vine Semillon 2018 ($29) Paired with Zucchini and Cherry Tomato Nicoise Salad in Canvas Sat Dec 7th 2019 No sooner had I read this recipe, I hurtled to the supermarket to get the ingredients because I had the perfect wine.  The Mission Estate Hawke’s Bay Reserve Old Vine Semillon … Read More

Taiao Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015

17 July 2019By Yvonne

Taiao Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015 $49.95 So deliciously decked out with dark chocolate, cherry, plum and soft pepper on the nose and palate, this exceptional wine from the Bridge Pa Triangle Winegrowing District has a deep, dark, smouldering personality, liquorice-licked layers of complexity in its statuesque structure.  Earthy, wild at heart … Read More