Caythorpe Family Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $24.99 From the Bishell family farm comes a shiny new vintage of pinot noir that definitely leans on the lighter side of the fence. Scented with raspberry, cranberry, strawberry and pretty much every other red fruit imaginable, this wine shows softness, silkiness and a dangerously easy, eensy-weensy-spicy finish. … Read More
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The Writer’s Block Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018
The Writer’s Block Gibbston Valley Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 $29 (4stars) Crafted by Urbn Vino’s Brendan Seal, this gris has a full and frisky fragrance of baked apple, poached quince and hints of honeysuckle and stonefruit – all characters that wash across the palate, leaving an impression of richness on the finish (which also happens … Read More
Neudorf Moutere Riesling Dry 2017
Neudorf Moutere Riesling Dry 2017 ($29) Crafted from a concoction of three different clones harvested in cooler conditions than usual in the Moutere. It has fullness and funk from its 100% wild ferment, alongside soft lime and bruised apple aromatics, a hint of biscuity, nutty niceness and long, elegant acidity on the finish. It’s fantastic.
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Jules Taylor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $32.99 So ripe, rumpty and ready for action this pinot noir is just itching to serve with any food that’s got a squeak of spice in it. It’s the intense cherry, clove, cocoa and berry bodaciousness that makes it so food friendly, while its softness and velvety structure makes … Read More
Providore Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017
Providore Central Otago Pinot noir 2017 $39 Winemaker Pete Bartle upsticked from his native Hawke’s Bay in 2001 for the bright lights of Central Otago and it’s been veni, vidi, vici for him ever since. Now one of the region’s most highly awarded winemakers, Pete’s decided that since he’s earned access to some of the … Read More
Hunter’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
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
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
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
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
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