Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2016

June 3, 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

March 15, 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

March 2, 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

December 2, 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

July 17, 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

Mahurangi River Winery Field of Grace Reserve Matakana Chardonnay 2014

July 11, 2019By Yvonne

Mahurangi River Winery Field of Grace Reserve Matakana Chardonnay 2014 $54 Incredibly glossy and golden when poured, this chardonnay from a tiny corner of Matakana is absolutely roaring into life after sitting quietly for a couple of years just building its confidence and character.  Complex smoke and toast notes merge with roast stonefruit, lemon pith … Read More

Mt Rosa Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016

February 11, 2019By Yvonne

Mt Rosa Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $75  This is a sexy melange of wild cherry, rhubarb, rosehip tea and allspice.  Soft, sultry and ever-so-smoky, it’s a style that’s deeply concentrated, gamy and incredibly succulent.  Mouthwatering even.  It’s a delicious style that has incredible length of flavour and an elegant presence.  Love it!  Pricey, … Read More

Mudbrick Reserve Waiheke Island Syrah 2018

January 16, 2019By Yvonne

Mudbrick Reserve Waiheke Island Syrah 2018 $75  I honestly couldn’t tell you the last time I tasted a syrah that was so young yet sang so beautifully on the palate.  Winemaker Patrick Newton has woven some witchcraft with what’s quite clearly plump, flavour-stacked fruit, to produce an ultra-velvety syrah, stitched together with cracked pepper, boysenberries, … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017

November 24, 2018By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 $21.99 Punchy and peppery right upfront then followed by juicy raspberry and cherry and light leathery, earthy notes on the palate.  It’s a great introduction to good, affordable, Gimblett Gravels syrah and as soon as you’ve tasted it you’ll be hooked!

Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016

November 24, 2018By Yvonne

Montana Reserve Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $16.99 On the nose this chardonnay has creme brulee, Mackintosh’s ‘Harrogate’ and roast peach perfume, while on the palate it’s rich, decently structured and shows solid juiciness right through to the finish.  It’s extremely gluggably good. Widely available.