Doctors Flat Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 $51.50 Roaring with tamarillo, rhubarb and wild cherry on the nose and palate, followed by a whack of dark cocoa and roasted spices, makes this an exciting wine for fans of Central Otago pinot noir for sure. It’s got character, style and charm. Brisk acidity and sandy, chewy … Read More
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Olivier Coste Je T’aime Biologique IGP Pays d’Oc Carignan 2020
Coste Je T’aime Biologique IGP Pays d’Oc Carignan 2020 $26 Organically-grown carignan grapes have been carefully shepherded into the bottle by Oliver Coste, who has been immersed in his family vineyards (dating back to 1701) since birth. Wondering about the coat of arms? I emailed Olivier and he said “Our coat of arms represents 3 … Read More
de la terre Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
de la terre Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 $39.99 Hold the phone, lock the gates and pull on your pepper pants because this new release from the legendary winemaking talents of Tony Prichard is extraordinarily spicy and nicey. Crafted from handpicked fruit grown in the highest elevation syrah vineyard in Hawke’s Bay (160m icyww), it’s … Read More
Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Brookfields Burnfoot Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $20 Peter Robertson’s been making wine in Hawke’s Bay since 1974. 1974! So he knows a thing or or twenty about turning great weather into great wine. 2018 was a bit special for Brookfields. It produced merlot full of juicy spices and supple tannins that create just the right … Read More
Stonecutter Martinborough Merlot 2019
StoneCutter Martinborough Merlot 2019 $48 The name Merlot comes from its resemblance to the blue-black plumage of the blackbird (merle). Born of a cross between Cabernet Franc and Magdeleine Noire des Charentes (they don’t name grapes like they used to right), Merlot was once called Crabutet Noir – not exactly sexy, so a name change … Read More
Harrier Ridge Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2019
Harrier Ridge Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2019 $23.99 The very first pinot noir of the block for winemaker Richard Rhodes and his team from fruit grown on the rocky terraces above the Ngaruroro river. With its solid acid backbone, dried herb and violet characters, it’s a strong, if slightly uncoordinated style at this early stage … Read More
Harrier Ridge Hawke’s Bay Field Blend 2019
Harrier Ridge Hawke’s Bay Field Blend 2019 $24.99 Blended by winemaker Richard Rhodes, this merlot malbec combo grown way out west of Hastings in Mangatahi is really starting to hit its straps. Scented with seasoned leather, bay leaf, blueberries and cocoa powder and boasting a rich, savoury, meaty mid-palate, it’s a very fresh, textural red … Read More
Terrace View Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016
Terrace View Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 ($18.99). Five years on from harvest and this merlot grown high up on rocky terraces overlooking the Ngaruroro River, is actually looking at its peak drinking window right now. Plummy … Read More
McPherson Wines XV PURE South East Australia Cabernets 2020
McPherson Wines XV PURE South East Australia Cabernets 2020 $22 Hands up if you’ve ever tasted wine made from the Ruby cabernet grape before. No? Well here’s your initiation. Ruby cabernet is a grape created by cross-breeding cabernet sauvignon and carignan, and it has a pronounced cherry flavour. It was created in California back in … Read More
Sur Andino Argentina Sierra Los Andes Mendoza Malbec 2018
Sur Andino Argentina Sierra Los Andes Mendoza Malbec 2018 $21 Hello malbec my old friend! Grown in a vineyard in Ugarteche (ooh-garr-tetch-eh) in the southern part of the Luján de Cuyo (loo-harn-de-koo-yoh) in Mendoza, Argentina’s largest wine region, this little red is so soft and velvety and warm, it’s like a spicy, berry-laden mink blanket … Read More