Brookfields Sun-Dried Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2022 $26 Winemaker Peter Roberston and his team hand-harvest their malbec and then lay the grapes out on racks to partially dry in the sun, much like the Italian appassimento technique to concentrate the flavours and accentuate the rich, fruity aromatics. The nose reveals rich, blueberry, boysenberry, cocoa and liquorice … Read More
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Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2022
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2022 $35 Cabernet franc is a rare thing to see on its own here in New Zealand, so it’s exciting whenever I see one, particularly one from one of the tiniest vineyards in Hawke’s Bay. Very new and youthfully fresh, it boasts a huge lift of bay leaf, blackcurrant, … Read More
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021
Maison Noire Home Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2021 $70 The ‘Home Block’ for Maison Noire’s winemaker Guillaume Thomas, is a tiny, 1.5ha vineyard growing on limestone laden soils on the winding road out to Waimarama Beach. Just 80 cases of this syrah was made, so it’s super-limited, but super-tasty. Inky-dark and glossily gorgeous, and boasts … Read More
Brookfields Back Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2022
Brookfields Back Block Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2022 $22 From a challenging vintage comes a highly approachable, friendly, softly fruited, softly peppered syrah grown at Ohiti on the banks of the Ngaruroro River. Classic florals and blackcurrant characters lead to iron sands tannins and a suede-like mid-palate texture and finish. Brookfields
Matahiwi Wild Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2022
Matahiwi Wild Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2022 $38 Winemaker Liam Macklin has been given carte blanche to create a pinot noir that veers left from the classic Matahiwi stable and the result is well and truly wild. Crafted without any additions from just one tonne of their best quality, hand picked, Abel clone fruit, it … Read More
Montana M Waipara Pinot Noir 2022
Montana M Waipara Pinot Noir 2022 $17 Deeply savoury aromas unfurl to release cherry and plum layers, hedgerow fruits and spice on the nose. The palate is softly earthy, with a vein of savoury, roasting pan juices running through it and settling into tannins with soft grip and cling. Very pleasant everyday pinot. Widely Available.
Blackenbrook Nelson Montepulciano 2021
Blackenbrook Nelson Montepulciano 2021 $38 Daniel and Ursula Schwarzenbach of Blackenbrook have a thing about giving alternative varieties a go, and Montepulciano (from the Abruzzo region in Italy) is one of them. They figured it’d enjoy living in Nelson and it does. Firm tannins, dark rhubarb and cocoa notes are bound together by leather and … Read More
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Noir 2021
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Noir 2021 $32 Bright, cherries, raspberries, pomegranates and redcurrants burst from the glass. Spicy, super-fresh, and stitched together wiht hints of rhubarb and black tea, it also delivers delicious textures and the tannins have lovely chew and cling. Plush and plump and I think it’s a cracker. Blackenbrook
Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir 2019
Martinborough Vineyard Home Block Pinot Noir 2019 $69 One of Martinborough’s foundation wineries, Martinborough Vineyard’s pinot noirs have an aristocratic signature, a spicy edge and delicious dried herb intensity. With its colour of Karma Choc Dahlias and hints of rhubarb and black baccara rose on the nose, it’s an impressive wine with a tonne of … Read More
Big Sky Martinborough Pinot Noir 2021
Big Sky Martinborough Pinot Noir 2021 $45 Katherine Jacobs and Jeremy Corban are the evil geniuses behind Big Sky, one of the most excitingest and one of the most tiniest producers in all ye olde Martinborough. Their vines grow high on the rocky terraces above the Huangarua River and the fruit ripens under the baking … Read More