Chain of Ponds The Cachet Adelaide Hills 2013 $100AU This outrageously sippable blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz & Merlot crafted by winemaker Greg Clack is so morishly meaty, savoury and loaded with black olive, graphite and iodine notes that it’s practically unputdownable. Well-tuned oak and a gloriously smoky character injects incredible layers of complexity and … Read More
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Urbn Vino Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $40 (4 stars)
While the fruit might originate from the barren, schisty landscapes of Bendigo and Bannockburn, the resulting wine actually has ‘city kid’ written all over it. Crafted by Brendan Seal in Dunedin’s central city, ‘urban’ winery, it has soft cherry and berry characters, earthy layers, a slippery, silky texture in the mouth and a decently dusty, … Read More
Babich Irongate Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot Franc 2014 $37.99
So when toothpaste commercials come on the tv announcing they’ll rid you of that “furry feeling”, you can throw the remote at the screen and shout “bring it on!” The Irongate has masses of blackberry, tobacco, vanilla and meaty layers, piles of pepper and cocoa and warming, fuzzy, furry, leathery tannins that gently exfoliate the … Read More
Ash Ridge Premium Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 $31
From what’s fast becoming known as a very elegant vintage in Hawke’s Bay, comes a cabernet-dominant blend that reflects the iron-rich red gravels of the Bridge Pa Triangle. Shepherded into the bottle by winemaker Lauren Swift, this brisk, racy red wine benefits from a big, swirlable glass to allow the plum and pepper aromas to … Read More
Tamari Mendoza Malbec 2016 $15.99
Tamari Mendoza Malbec 2016 $15.99 The native language of the Mendoza region in Argentina is knows as ‘Huarpe’ and in that language, Tamari means ‘to be passionate’. I tell you what, after a glass or two of this meaty little malbec then you’ll be feeling more than a little amorous I’m sure. Smooth, velvety and … Read More
William Murdoch Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2010 $45 (4 stars)
Certified organic from WAY back, this 8 year old cabernet blend is heaving with deliciously dusty, leather and tobacco-rubbed robustness. Bay leaf, dark cocoa and the darkest of dark fruits, this Bordeaux-style blend from deep in the heart of the Gimblett Gravels has bold, muscular, sinewy tannins and cries out for a large piece of … Read More
Ostler Caroline’s Waitaki Pinot Noir 2016 $50 (5 stars)
Located on the cusp of South Canterbury and North Otago, Waitaki is an extreme place, like the last frontier for winegrowing, because it’s such a harsh environment. Jim Jerram however, is like the Gandalf of grape growing down there, and occasionally, when the weather gods shine on him, he’s able to eke out enough precious … Read More
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2014 $50
Glossy and gorgeous in the glass, this syrah is exactly the style that made wine pundits prick up their palates when it came to how good the Gimblett Gravels really is for this variety. The nose hits that beautiful balance of red berries, cherry, peppercorn, red rose, and violets, and the palate is ridiculously succulent … Read More
The Regent of Tantallon Limited Edition Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2013 $40
From what was hailed as the red wine vintage of the century for Hawke’s Bay comes this silky, slinky, berry- and spice-saturated blend from fruit sourced from the Tantallon vineyard in Bridge Pa. The deep, iron-rich ‘red gravels’ inject depth and minerality to the fruit, and the wine shows vanilla, smoke, olive, and sweet cocoa … Read More
Alpha Domus Barnstormer Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 $34
Syrah has been one of the Ham family’s show-off wines pretty much ever since they set up shop in the iron-rich, red gravels of the Bridge Pa Triangle, just a skip and a hop from Hastings city. The Barnstormer has a list of medals and trophies that should justify it being a bit of a … Read More