Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016

6 December 2021By Yvonne

Orlando Jacaranda Ridge Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 $65 Impenetrably inky and glossy blood-black in the glass, this bay leaf, blackberry and tobacco-stacked cabernet is just woof-inducingly lovely to drink. Finely tuned tannins follow a palate awash with dark cocoa, leather, plum and smoked cherries. The acidity and alcohol (14.5%) are beautifully balanced and add freshness … Read More

McArthur Ridge Brass Knocker Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021

6 December 2021By Yvonne

McArthur Ridge Brass Knocker Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 $20 Re-tasted Feb 3 2023 and re-evaluated to 5-star Evolving beautifully into a spectrum of dried herb and complex cherry notes with hints of vanilla and cocoa. Gold Medal Decanter World Wine Awards 2022 From the team at McArthur Ridge comes a new vintage of what’s … Read More

Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2019

5 December 2021By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2019 $45 I can totally see why this wine made the cut for Ursula and Daniel Swarzenbach’s Family Reserve – clearly 2019 was a year where Tāwhirimātea, Māori god of the weather, gave out the good behaviour awards to their vines. The resulting wine is plucky, plush and showing … Read More

Stad_ko Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020

30 November 2021By Yvonne

Stad_ko Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020 $39 Clones 115, 667 and 777 from Robert Stadniczenko’s Arapai vineyard on the Dry River Flats, comes this dry, spicy, leather layered and earthy pinot noir that’s been partially whole-bunch fermented, partially foot-stomped and given a long, quiet, post ferment sleepy time in barrel for 10 months. Edged with allspice … Read More

Mud House The Narrows Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020

24 November 2021By Yvonne

Mud House The Narrows Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 $21.99 The ‘Narrows’ has fast become one of my favourite, best-value pinot noirs in the country. Highly complex, deeply fruity, dark, fulsome and supremely elegant” noted Yvonne, while Cameron loved its injection of cranberry, pomegranate and vanilla across its firm tannins. Marty agreed, “intensely aromatic and loaded … Read More

Pegasus Bay Vergence Red MKI Pinot Noir 2018

22 November 2021By Yvonne

Pegasus Bay Vergence Red MKI Pinot Noir 2018 $40 Waipara is Pegasus Bay’s home, but they’re fans of great fruit no matter where it comes from, so say hi to Central Otago! Vergence is all about pushing the oeno-envelope, so steady yourself for a 100% whole-cluster, carbonic and wild-fermented pinot.  Think whole bunches sealed in … Read More

Driven Snow Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020

19 November 2021By Yvonne

Driven Snow Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 $39.99 If you’re wondering why this wine is a touch cloudier than your normal, commercial-grade, supermarket pinot noir, fret not. In fact, be happy, because it’s evidence of a wine that’s been crafted without fining or filtration, processes that some winemakers believe can strip some of the original … Read More

Orlando Bungalow Lane Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014

9 November 2021By Yvonne

Orlando Bungalow Lane Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $40 Seven years on and this cabernet is maturing into a wine boasting layers of leather, prune and soft cocoa characters. The acidity is still fresh, yet there’s a suede-like mid-palate that’s laced with blueberry and coffee and the tannins are both stretchy and sandy and show … Read More

Orlando Printz Shed Northern Barossa Shiraz 2018

8 November 2021By Yvonne

Orlando Printz Shed Northern Barossa Shiraz 2018 $40 Sourced from the legendary Greenock and Ebenezer blocks, this shiraz is clean, spice-soaked and boosted with blackcurrant characters. There are liquorice and pepper layers edged with vanilla and smoke. The tannins are muscular and lengthy and add great texture to the dry, fine-grained finish.

19 Crimes Cali Red 2019

8 November 2021By Yvonne

19 Crimes Snoop Cali Red 2019 $19.99 Grown in California, bottled in Australia and now on sale in New Zealand, this blend of petite sirah, zinfandel and merlot had just the right amount of booty for megastar rapper and red wine lover Snoop Dogg to get behind it and swap rhymes for vines and lots … Read More