Obsidian Waiheke Island Pinot Gris 2019

March 17, 2020By Yvonne

Obsidian Waiheke Island Pinot Gris 2019 $30 Hands up if you’ve been hunting high and low for a pinot gris that’s both lusciously sweetish up front, yet finishes deliciously dry and long.  The team at Obsidian have cracked it well and truly.  With nashi pear niceness, lemonade apple and baked quince characters which merge into … Read More

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Merlot Cabernet 2018

March 8, 2020By Yvonne

Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Merlot Cabernet 2018 $33 Boasting more berries than a jam session at Strawberry Shortcake’s house, this feisty, fleshy blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon shows that the southern climes can indeed shine so far as the big reds are concerned.  Showing signature plum, pepper and cocoa characters of merlot, alongside bay … Read More

Thirty One Rows Northbank Marlborough Rosé 2019

March 8, 2020By Yvonne

Thirty One Rows Northbank Marlborough Rosé 2019 $24.99 Finding a 14% pinot noir rosé that still maintains finesse and delicacy is a rare thing, but this wine has cracked it.  Using organically grown fruit from the emerging, Northbank subregion of Marlborough (where he’s also building a family home on the rock formations depicted on the … Read More

Pask Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018

March 8, 2020By Yvonne

Pask Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018 $22 This is my go-to wine when I need something snazzy to pair with dishes featuring brussels sprouts.  Yep.  Brussels sprouts.  I don’t know how it works; it just does.  There must be some science, but like Trump fans I’ll choose to ignore it.  Instead I’ll opt to be fully … Read More

Putangi Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019

March 8, 2020By Yvonne

Putangi Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $31 This new range of wines created by Greg Hay and his team at Wet Jacket Wines, is named after the trusty rowboat used by pioneer conservationist, Richard Henry, who in 1894 began ferrying as many of our endangered birds as he could find, from parts of Dusky Sound, … Read More

Smith & Sheth Cru Wairau Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019

March 8, 2020By Yvonne

Smith & Sheth Cru Wairau Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 $28 Each of the vertical panels on the label represents the exact genome sequence of the DNA of the grape varieties that Smith & Sheth grow.  With lemongrassy layers stitched together with powerful passionfruit lime, basil and nectarine notes, it’s incredibly juicy to drink, generously proportioned, … Read More

Putangi Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019

March 8, 2020By Yvonne

Putangi Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 $24 Putangi was the name of the dingy that pioneering conservationist Richard Henry used in 1894 to ferry endangered birds to the safety of Resolution Island in Dusky Sound.  Saving the kiwi, the kakapo and hundreds of our rarest birds, he was truly ahead of his time, and the … Read More

Coopers Creek The Little Rascal Gisborne Arneis 2015

December 30, 2019By Yvonne

Coopers Creek The Little Rascal Gisborne Arneis 2015 $20.90 Reviewed in Dish Magazine April 2020 – paired with Chermoula Fried fish with tzatziki Holy tzatziki Batman!  This smorgasbord of spice is complimented by the delicately citrussy Coopers Creek ‘The Little Rascal’ Gisborne Arneis 2015 ($20.90). Indigenous to Piemonte in North-West Italy, and now grown by … Read More

Spade Oak Voysey Series Gisborne Pinot Gris 2019

December 2, 2019By Yvonne

Spade Oak Voysey Series Gisborne Pinot Gris 2019 ($18.50) Paired with Chickpea and Eggplant Salad – Canvas Sat Dec 7th 2019 Pair the earthy awesomeness of this vegan dish with a wine real vavoom.  The Spade Oak Voysey Series Gisborne Pinot Gris 2019 ($18.50) is crafted from the Italian clone of pinot gris, known as … Read More

Brookfields Reserve Vintage 2019 Cabernet Merlot 2015

November 11, 2019By Yvonne

Steak sandwiches – paired in dish Summer 2020 If you are paying strict attention to the condition of your steaks for these sandwiches, you’d want to have a darn lovely red wine to nuzzle alongside them, right?  That’s where the Brookfields Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2015 ($59) sneaks up and snares you from the … Read More