Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2019 $28 Sourced from their tiny vineyard located high up on the Waimarama Road, this is a local take on a French favourite grape from the Loire Valley. This is Cabernet Franc crafted in a softer, more restrained style than most with fine-grained astringency in the mid-palate. … Read More
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Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2019
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet 2019 $35 This absolute mouthquake of a blend is comprised of 78% Malbec, 14% merlot and 8% Cabernet Sauvignon and I am absolutely in love with it! Scented with cedar, blueberry, black doris plum and smoky vanilla vavoom, the palate is saturated with boysenberry, licks of … Read More
Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019
Mahi Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $34 Three vineyards provided the fruit for this lip smacking example, Fareham Road, Byrne and Ward which is located 45kms south of Blenheim. It’s a dark, glossy, spice-saturated style that’s laced with soft smoky tones from gentle hand-plunging and 13 months in French barriques, a core of black cherry, tamarillo … Read More
Unison Symphony Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014
Unison Symphony Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014 $55 This syrah is developing a deliciously meaty majesty to its aromatic and flavourmatic (yes, it’s a word) layers. Soft white pepper, blueberry and boysenberry coulis characters all jostle for attention on the nose and mouth and it ends up being quite the delicious disco. Hints of flaxseed, soy … Read More
Unison Gimblett Gravels Classic Blend Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2013
Unison Gimblett Gravels Classic Blend Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2013 $40 Eight years on from vintage and this mighty merlot-dominated blend is developing an edge of espresso, cola and soy which cloaks the blueberry and dark plum in the mid-palate. Leather licked and layered with dusty tannins on the finish, this wine is maturing nicely … Read More
Unison Merlin’s Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015
Unison Merlin’s Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015 $38 22 months of careful barrel aging in the first instance, combined with another couple of years of sleepy years in the bottle, this classic Gimblett Gravels merlot is fleshing out in fabulous fashion. Leather layers merge with soft pepper, damson plum and blueberry notes to create a … Read More
Unison Excalibur Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014
Unison Excalibur Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Syrah 2014 $38 I love that the punch of peppery syrah adds an extra flick to the tail of this warm, smooth, fulsome and velvety blend. Seriously aromatic, with dried herbs, carpenters cabin and cocoa characters, seven years on from harvest and just starting to swell and hit … Read More
Wither Hills the Honourable Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
Wither Hills the Honourable Taylor River Run Pinot Noir 2017 $74.99 In a kind of back-to-front fashion, I tasted the newer, 2018 vintage of this wine before being fortunate enough to see a glass of this, the 2017. Named after The Honourable Charles Bigg Wither, who purchased the Taylor River Run no.14 back in 1848. … Read More
Wither Hills Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018
Wither Hills Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 $21.99 If plump, plush, earthy-edged, fleshy merlot is your bag, then get set for a tote-ally (geddit) smooth and saucy experience with this super sipper from Wither Hills. Soft caramelised oak gives a hint of smoke and plummy, red berry notes round out the palate. Nicely done. http://www.witherhills.co.nz
Beach House Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2018
Beach House ‘F’ Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2018 $25 Here’s a fact. If it weren’t for cabernet franc, we wouldn’t have any cabernet sauvignon. You see, back in the mists of time, cabernet franc had some sexy-time with a saucy little sauvignon blanc vine and when the sap began to rise in the springtime, a … Read More