Hāhā Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019

June 21, 2020By Yvonne

Hāhā Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $13.99 Paired with Beef Massaman in dish magazine Issue 92 2020 Your wallet won’t even wince when you grab yourself a bottle of Hāhā Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 ($13.99) to pair with this dish.  Savoury, leathery, plum and blueberry notes abound, then a serious thwack (it’s a word) of acidity, … Read More

Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

June 21, 2020By Yvonne

Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $45 100% cabernet sauvignon here from old vines dating back to the mists of time. 1984 to be exact, so maybe not so misty then. anyhoo, first planted by Gimbett Gravels pioneer, Dr. Alan Limmer, these organically-grown vines thrive in the desert-scape of the ancient Ngaruroro riverbed, creating intensely … Read More

Foothill Groves Waitaki Riesling 2019

June 21, 2020By Yvonne

Foothill Groves Waitaki Riesling 2019 $28 Helen and Ian Dent might be the newest winemakers in the Waitaki Valley, but they’re crafting their riesling from the oldest vines in the region.  Ian’s a machine operator at the local power station and Helen is an expert I.T number cruncher, and with rockstar riesling maker Grant Taylor … Read More

O:TU Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

June 21, 2020By Yvonne

O:TU Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $31.99 Boatloads of white pepper, vanilla, blueberry and plum notes burst forth from the glass, this is a youthful, spicy, earthy-structured syrah that’ll put a grin on anyone’s grill.  Fresh, frisky, pepper-packed and seriously food-focused, it’s good drinking now, but will reward another 2-3 years in the cellar … Read More

Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019

April 24, 2020By Yvonne

Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019 $29 Returning to his dry-style roots not seen since 2013, winemaker Gordon Russell has taken fruit for the first time from Ian and Linda Quinn’s Two Terraces Vineyard located west of Hastings in Maraekakaho where they grow two clones of chenin, 220 and 880.  Handpicked, cooled … Read More

Zephyr Marlborough Riesling 2019

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Zephyr Marlborough Riesling 2019 $30 Reviewd for dish Magazine and paired with Prawn Chorizo Chilli Pasta Balance out all that powerful smoky spice of the chorizo and chilli with the gorgeous Zephyr Marlborough Riesling 2019 ($30) because it douses your tastebuds in refreshing apple, lime, honeysuckle and peach. It’s the perfect thing to cleanse, tone … Read More

Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $34.99 Reviewd in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Beef Cheeks with Parmesan Polenta The Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 ($34.99) is the glossiest, most gorgeously fruit-saturated and spice-soaked thing to pair with this beef cheek recipe. Is it because of its lifted, pepper punchiness, … Read More

Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $34.99 Reviewed in dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 and paired with Salmon, smoked fish and fennel pie Chardonnay all day is what springs to mind when gathering all the components together for this perfect pie.  The Vidal Soler Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 ($34.99) is chock full of ripe, roasted stonefruit … Read More

Rogue Vine The Original Rogue Bay of Islands Pinot Gris 2019

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Rogue Vine The Original Rogue Bay of Island Pinot Gris 2019 $25 Look closely at the wine in your glass and you’ll see it’s actually got a lick of pink to it. That’s because pinot gris grapes have a sort of pinky-grey colour and the good folk at Rogue have left the skins in contact … Read More

Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018

April 19, 2020By Yvonne

Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $22 Reviewed for dish Magazine July/Aug 2020 – Paired with Lamb Shank Pie Combining two of my absolute favourite things, lamb shanks and pies, this meal is given a leg up (shank, leg, ahem) by the delicious Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 ($22).  With its vibrant, plummy perfume, … Read More