Le Grá Wairarapa Pinot Rosé 2022 $38 A refreshingly spritzy style of rosé that roars with watermelon, crabapple and succulent salinity. Crunchy-crisp and mineral-drenched, it’s laced with soft herb and rhubarb notes and has a long, zesty finish. Nice work from one of Wairarapa’s smallest wineries. (Extra for Experts) Look out for some interesting new … Read More
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Carrick Arthur’s Vineyard Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021
Carrick Arthur’s Vineyard Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $65 Grown across the road from the Carrick winery, the 10/5 clone, own-rooted vines responsible for this new addition to Carrick’s stable, are 25 years old and really starting to hit their straps. Handpicked, wild-fermented and left on skins for almost 4 weeks before spending 9 … Read More
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019
Elephant Hill Stone Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $60 Deep, richly structured Merlot sourced from the Gimblett Gravels has had a floral boost from a splash of 8% cabernet franc sourced from the Bridge Pa Triangle sub-region, and the result is an absolutely plush and perfectly balanced, refreshing red wine stacked with classic damson plum, dark … Read More
Decibel Wines Gimblett Gravels Testify Red Blend 2019
Decibel Wines Gimblett Gravels Testify Red Blend 2019 $56 Testify is the flagship red from Dan Brennan at Decibel and this vintage, from one of the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay harvests (2019, 2020 & 2021) is a stonkingly good, certified organic blend of 60% malbec and 40% merlot which roars with spiced berry energy, … Read More
Taylors Estate Limestone Coast Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020
Taylors Estate Limestone Coast Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 $17 – $20 Classic cabernet characters of blueberry, boysenberry, dark cocoa and buckets of spice all burst forth in this consistently rich, smooth, dangerously easy-to-appreciate wine. Blackcurrant and layers of liquorice merge in the mid-palate and add to its decently long and refreshing finish. Widely available … Read More
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Le Phant Rouge 2021
Elephant Hill Hawke’s Bay Le Phant Rouge 2021 $28 From the holy trinity of Hawke’s Bay vintages (2019, 2020, 2021) comes a blend of 40% merlot, 36% syrah, 14% tempranillo, 8% malbec, 1% cabernet sauvignon and 1% cabernet franc grown across their three vineyard sites, 13% from the ‘Sea’ vineyard at Te Awanga, 53% from … Read More
Clearview Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021
Clearview Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 $45 The colour of this wine is what will wow you first. Pour it on a sunny day and marvel at its ruby, crimson, glossy gorgeousness. On the nose and palate, it’s a lightly-styled, soothing, gently-peppered example, showing lifted florals and a long, smooth finish. Crafted using fruit sourced … Read More
Riverby Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021
Riverby Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2021 $28 Grown on land transformed by the redirection of Marlborough’s Opawa River back in the 1930s, this pinot noir erupts with bright redcurrant, raspberry and rhubarb aromas which just instantly make you grin. The palate is slippery, soothing and juicy and unveils a core of lightly charred oak, soft … Read More
Doctors Flat Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019
Doctors Flat Single Vineyard Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $52-$58 Anyone who loves great pinot noir should phone their nearest wine shop now to ask if they have this wine in stock. If they do, hoon down there immediately and celebrate that you’ve carpe’d that diem. If they don’t, wail loudly over the phone … Read More
Main Divide North Canterbury Merlot Cabernet 2020
Main Divide North Canterbury Merlot Cabernet 2020 $18-$21 A lipsmacking blend of classic varieties produces a plummy, cocoa and blueberry-laced wine that’s ripe, spicy and very easy to drink. It’s a smile-inducing, uncomplicated style that’ll work nicely with anything meaty. Just drink it, don’t overthink it. Main Divide