Villa Maria Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Albariño 2021

June 28, 2023By Yvonne

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

March 9, 2023By Yvonne

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

February 19, 2023By Yvonne

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

January 5, 2023By Yvonne

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

December 6, 2022By Yvonne

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

November 29, 2022By Yvonne

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

August 26, 2021By Yvonne

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

March 14, 2021By Yvonne

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

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020

January 23, 2021By Yvonne

Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $25 Sourced from fruit grown in the Wairau Valley, this is a sauvignon that’ll soothe the throat and clear the nose in majestic fashion. No joke. It’s an ultra-concentrated, herbaceously heaving example that will wow the crowds. Pungent basil, passionfruit, lime, peach and a plethora of grassy goodness … Read More

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019

January 5, 2021By Yvonne

Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 $29 So beautifully balanced it’s like a ballerina tiptoeing in pointe shoes across your tongue on a tightrope. Aromatically it delivers fresh nashi and yellow plum perfume in spades, while the cleansing, juicy, white nectarine notes wash soothingly over the palate and leave a lengthy, textural … Read More