O:TU Limited Release Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018

24 June 2020By Yvonne

O:TU Limited Release Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $35.99 Twelve months in barrel has given this ‘only produced in exceptional years’, hand-harvested, single-vineyard, pinot noir real  spice and weight despite its light, mulberry colour.  You see, pinot noir is a crazy grape in that even the lightest-looking examples can turn out to absolutely heave with flavour.  … Read More

Taylors Jaraman Clare Valley + Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

23 June 2020By Yvonne

Taylors Jaraman Clare Valley + Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 $33 Utilising fruit from both Coonawarra and the Clare Valley has injected banging spices on the nose, yet soothing, soft textures in the mouth.  Deeply perfumed with pepper, menthol, bay, plum, cocoa and cherry, then following up with all those elements replicated on the flavour-front, this … Read More

Taylors Jaraman Clare Valley + McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018

23 June 2020By Yvonne

Taylors Jaraman Clare Valley  + McLaren Vale Shiraz 2018 $33.99 Blending top class fruit from two of South Australia’s greatest wine regions, this shiraz heaves with personality and ‘drink me’ deliciousness.  Intensely plummy and edged with cocoa and fruitcake spices, it’s a wine with super-smooth, elastic tannins and a long, satisfying finish.  Warming, woolly and … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019

22 June 2020By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 $24.95 Soft and easy peasy cherry squeezy on the nose and palate, this berry-bolstered pinot noir from of New Zealand’s iconic producers, is super-fresh, saucy, and frisky to sip.  There’s a hint of truffle and blueberry around the edges and a wallop of wild berries and a lick … Read More

Hāhā Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019

21 June 2020By Yvonne

Hāhā Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 $13.99 Paired with Beef Massaman in dish magazine Issue 92 2020 Your wallet won’t even wince when you grab yourself a bottle of Hāhā Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 ($13.99) to pair with this dish.  Savoury, leathery, plum and blueberry notes abound, then a serious thwack (it’s a word) of acidity, … Read More

Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2018

21 June 2020By Yvonne

Stonecroft Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 $45 100% cabernet sauvignon here from old vines dating back to the mists of time. 1984 to be exact, so maybe not so misty then. anyhoo, first planted by Gimbett Gravels pioneer, Dr. Alan Limmer, these organically-grown vines thrive in the desert-scape of the ancient Ngaruroro riverbed, creating intensely … Read More

O:TU Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

21 June 2020By Yvonne

O:TU Limited Release Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $31.99 Boatloads of white pepper, vanilla, blueberry and plum notes burst forth from the glass, this is a youthful, spicy, earthy-structured syrah that’ll put a grin on anyone’s grill.  Fresh, frisky, pepper-packed and seriously food-focused, it’s good drinking now, but will reward another 2-3 years in the cellar … Read More

The Bald Hills 3 Acres Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017

21 June 2020By Yvonne

The Bald Hills 3 Acres Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 $32 Brand new on the market, this raspberry, rhubarb, herb and cherry-centric pinot noir from Bannockburn (where the hills are so dry and dusty they’re practically ‘bald’) is lush, plush and all things ‘ush’ on the nose and palate.  Fresh, juicy and showing highly skilled … Read More

Swift Wines Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018

17 June 2020By Yvonne

Swift Wines Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 $40 This is the second edition of Lauren Swift’s solo syrah, crafted from dry-farmed fruit grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle wine district of Hawke’s Bay.  Dry-farmed grapevines have to send their roots WAY down deep to find any moisture (as opposed to conventionally irrigated vines whose roots sit … Read More

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Shiraz 2016

16 June 2020By Yvonne

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Shiraz 2016 $64.99 Only the absolute best shiraz grapes make it to the finals for the St Andrews Shiraz vintage champs and once they’re in the bottle they’re immortalised forever!  (At least that’s what the winemaker whispers to them to soothe their nerves)  Deep, dark chocolate and spice, cigar box … Read More