Hunter’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2017

October 4, 2018By Yvonne

Hunter’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $24  Holy peach pit Batman!  This is like a tropical, toasty roundhouse kick to the face by a cheeky chardonnay often discounted down to the $18.99 mark.  Absolutely heaving with gorgeous roast stonefruit, grilled grapefruit, toasted cashew, and incredibly zesty acidity makes this a wow moment for me as chardonnay lover … Read More

Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018

October 3, 2018By Yvonne

Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 $19 This is an in-your-face pinot gris if ever I’ve sipped one.  There’s a lot happening in the glass and that could be because this vintage has splashes of gewürztraminer and albariño added for extra aromatic and textural complexity.  Heaving with baked pear and spiced apple alongside exotic floral notes and … Read More

Urlar Gladstone Noble Riesling 2015

December 11, 2016By Yvonne

When it comes to sweet treats, if you cant beat ‘em, join ‘em.  The organic and biodynamically-produced,  Urlar Noble Riesling 2015 ($30) sings with Manuka honey, tangy nectarine and apple notes.  The acidity is zingy and refreshing, balancing out the intense sweetness of the top notes and making it a superb partner for every possible … Read More

Brookfields Marshall Bank Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015

December 11, 2016By Yvonne

Golden like a yellow diamond and boasting a whoomph of toasty oak, grapefruit zest, ripe peach and pineapple tones on the nose and followed by an intense, citrus-driven mid-palate.  Crisp, tangy and terrifically taut, Peter Robertson and his team have really crafted something special here because the finish just never does.  Long and lipsmackingly refreshing … Read More

Theory & Practice Gisborne Chardonnay 2014

January 5, 2016By Yvonne

Theory & Practice Gisborne Chardonnay 2014 $19.95 ★★★★ Crafted by Ant McKenzie, (wine consultant to the stars) and his viticulturist brother Bryce, this is a cracker of a chardonnay that’s jam-packed with juicy tropical fruit and grilled citrus notes alongside caramelised, toasty characters and edged with creamy, custard square pastry-like notes.  Fresh and tangy.  To … Read More