Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2022 $45 Impressively glossy and golden in the glass and for a Chardonnay, it’s a serious supermodel. Roaring with grilled grapefruit, baked nectarine, toasted almonds and lemon pith, it only gets better as the slippery, silky textures kick in. Hints of struck match, smoked walnutty complexity and a brisk, yet … Read More
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Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2024
Akitu Central Otago Pinot Noir Blanc 2024 $45 This wine is a white wine crafted from Pinot Noir — and it’s an absolute banger, bursting with baked apple, yellow plum, soft apricot, and gentle citrus layers. Refreshing, zesty, laced with tree-fruits and rich complexity to finish. Dangerously drinkable. Akitu
Folding Hill Bendigo Chardonnay 2023
Folding Hill Bendigo Chardonnay 2023 $38 Wow! Central Otago Chardonnay is absolutely having its moment and I’m exultant about that. From the 2023 vintage the team at Folding Hill have crafted a fantastic example, a style roaring with baked stonefruit, creme brulee, soft caramelised characters a lick of white pepper and grapefruit pith. A style … Read More
Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025
Two Rivers Convergence Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2025 $22 Crafted by winemaker Dave Clouston, this is one of the best value Sauvignon Blanc’s on the market. Brand new and erupting with lemony sweetness, passionfruit sorbet, buckets of mandarin and basil burst across the tongue and gums. It’s delicious now, but I’d love to revisit it in … Read More
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2023 $35 (Gold Medal 5 stars – dish Magazine Issue 121) The new Ballasalla has excellent energy, power and stacks of spice that’ll soothe the throat and clear the nose. Powerfully perfumed with redcurrant, raspberry, rhubarb crumble and smoked cherry topping, this wine saturates the palate with all … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023 $24.99 2023 was a really tricky year for Hawke’s Bay grapegrowers as Cyclone Gabrielle struck with devastating force just as harvest was about to begin. Yet the folk at Trinity Hill managed to craft a snappy, richly-structured, dry-styled gris laced with classic nashi notes and a hint of … Read More
Huia Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024
Huia Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2024 $36 From one of New Zealand’s oldest and most respected organic pioneers, this sauvignon will appeal to anyone keen on a little less of Sauvignon’s signature squinty acidity and a little more of a softer, creamy side. Scented with gentle bruised basil, lemongrass and jalapeno notes, it has a … Read More
Balvonie Marlborough Prosecco Methode Traditionnelle 2023
Balvonie Marlborough Prosecco Methode Traditionnelle 2023 $35 New Zealand’s first Prosecco (despite the Italians not being happy about it, we can keep calling it that for the foreseeable future) is being made by the McLauchlan family from their vineyard in Rapaura, Blenheim. They’ve been growing Glera grapes on their family farm for a few years … Read More
Mora Laeto Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024
Mora Laeto Central Otago Pinot Noir 2024 $35 Here’s a shiny new pinot designed with the kiwi Summer in mind. “Laeto” is derived from the Latin word for ‘lush’ and ‘joyful’ and this wine is all about not taking things too seriously, heavily, having fun with how bright and juicy and floral and plush pinot … Read More
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2023 $22 Generously dry and classically scented with nashi, green pear, soft nutmeg and apple notes, this new gris has a palate profile that exactly replicates all that and also injects a splash of zesty minerality and leaves a soft creamy character on the finish. Energetic and ultra-sippable. Jules Taylor