Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2023 $15 Paired with; Fragrant Chicken Tagine by Annabel Langbein NZ Herald Canvas Magazine Sat May 25th 2024 Pair the cumin, cinnamon, ginger and saffron sensations in this exotically spiced tagine with the clean, melon and raspberry razziness roaring from every sip of the new Private Bin … Read More
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Villa Maria Taylors Pass Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023
Villa Maria Taylors Pass Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023 $30 Awatere Valley sauvignon blanc has its own signature. Florals, fresh nettles, white peach, green apple and bruised basil assail the nostrils and roar around the gums. It’s fresh yet gentle on the palate, so if you’re not a fan of squinty acidity then you’re in luck … Read More
Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2021
Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2021 $29 Incredibly cleansing, this local version of a Spanish classic roars with green apple, pear, quince, lemon, lime and summer flowers on the nose and erupts with zesty citrus complexity on the palate. Fermented very gently as a single parcel in a concrete egg vat, the result … Read More
Villa Maria Ihumātao Auckland Chardonnay 2021
Villa Maria Ihumātao Auckland Chardonnay 2021 $50 What you have here is quite possibly the last vintage of this incredible wine. Why? Because the vines in this vineyard have been pulled out (boo hiss) But this creation is a last-ever chance to absorb a smorgasbord of roast stonefruit, toasted almonds and smoked citrus. Showing great … Read More
Villa Maria The Attorney Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2022
Villa Maria The Attorney Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 $30 Paired with: CHICKEN CURRY ROLLS dish Magazine Issue 108 Something seductively light and zesty and stacked with clean berries and classic spices is exactly what you need to wash down every crumb of these curry rolls. Bursting with watermelon, raspberry and laced with dry, … Read More
I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection
I review the 2020 Hawke’s Bay Winegrowers Chardonnay Selection. Twelve wines whittled down from dozens submitted that were judged by Cameron Douglas MS to reflect the absolute finest examples created from the 2020 vintage from the Hawke’s Bay region. I love that there’s a healthy sub-regional spread in terms of where they were grown and … Read More
Villa Maria Sparkling Cuvée Brut NV
Villa Maria Sparkling Cuvée Brut NV $20 Paired with Summer Corn and Avocado Salad with pesto by Annabel Langbein in the NZ Herald CANVAS magazine Sat December 10 2022. Brand new from the Villa stable comes a lemon shortbread-scented sparkler made from chardonnay and pinot noir that’s smooth, nutty, ultra-creamy and perfect with the richness of … Read More
Villa Maria Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021
Villa Maria Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 $29 One of the most highly awarded pinot gris in the country, this rich, refreshingly creamy, nashi-stacked new vintage from their Seddon Vineyard in Marlborough’s Awatere Valley, is not letting the side down that’s for sure. A splash of wild fermentation in older oak barrels and a 6month … Read More
I taste the 2018 Gimblett Gravels Annual Vintage Selection
It’s one heck of an exciting feeling cracking open the box containing the newest Gimblett Gravels selection wines. Twelve of the greatest red wines to come from New Zealand’s most famous red wine region, selected independently by Andrew Caillard MW. They’re also selected from a talent pool consisting of dozens of hopefuls from dozens of … Read More
Villa Maria Earth Garden Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020
Villa Maria Earth Garden Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020 $19.99 This certified organic, 100% merlot rosé is part of a new, environmentally conscious range of wines designed to meet the global demands for more fully-sustainable wine. It’s also designed to be darn tasty and they’ve succeeded in that. If you’re seeking out a sweet lolly-like rosé … Read More