Super-smooth and masculine, like sniffing George Clooney after a wet shave, it’s all tobacco, man-sweat, saddle leather and desert dust. Wait. What was I talking about again? The wine! Yes. Tempranillo grapes were harvested, crushed, fermented, and aged for 12 months in new French oak barrels to bring on the smoky, prune, and pepper flavours … Read More
Archives
Godelia Viernes Bierzo Mencía 2013 $26 (4.5 stars)
Crafted by Josep Serra and Olga Verde, this hand harvested little mencía (pronounced ‘men-thee-aah) erupts with florals and spice and hedgerow fruits on the nose. Yet on the palate it immediately calms down into a smooth, soft sip with suede-like texture, alongside a hint of salt, mushroom and mineral notes combine with earthy layers to … Read More
Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc 2015 $19
Crafted from fruit grown in the iron-rich, red soils of the Bridge Pa Triangle, this is a gentle, easy-like-Sunday-morning red wine showing attractive red berry aromatics, a dusting of cocoa, plum and bay leaf. It’s a soft, quaffable blend that’ll please the crowds. Need a red wine for that wedding coming up? This could be … Read More
San Pedro Gato Negro Valle Central Carmenere 2017 $14.99
Wow! How bright and pretty does this wine look in the glass? Glossy, crimson craziness is what greets you when you pour it, then you’re hit with aromas of bay leaf, thyme, violets and cherry-choc notes. A whoomph (technical term there) of spice, cocoa and a warming texture leads to a long, smile-inducing finish. A great … Read More
San Pedro Gato Negro Valle Central Merlot 2016 $16.99
Very floral and leafy, bay and thyme on the nose alongside pepper and smoky, molasses and liquorice-like characters on the nose and palate. Warming and good as a winter crowd pleaser. www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Saint John Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2013 $26.60 (5 stars)
Named after Mr St. John York, the original owner of the Bridge Pa vineyard where the fruit was sourced, this malbec went on to scoop the Championship trophy at the Bragato Wine Awards in 2016. Fleshy and full to the brim with aromas of roasting pan juices, dark berryfruit, red apple leather and Christmas pudding … Read More
Vinteloper Urban Project Red 2016 $39.90 (4.5 stars)
I LOVED the bottle so much that no sooner was it empty than I bunged a candle down it’s spout and popped it on the mantlepiece. Art right there. Shiraz and Malbec are an unusual twosome, but this blend by the unconventional coterie of Vinteloper kids works on so many levels. Aromas of plum, raspberry, … Read More
Sacred Hill Hawke’s Bay Helmsman 2015 $80 (5 stars)
My first taste of this wine was a few years before the millennium and back then I was told the name represented something that led the way that stood ahead of the pack and steered you in the right direction. This new vintage lives up to its reputation of focus and drive. A Helmsman is … Read More
Vinetti De Fiorini Chianti Superiore DOCG 2014 $25
Grapes for a Superiore can come from any of the sub-regions within the region of Chianti. Superiore wines must be aged for at least nine months before release and must be approved by the Official DOCG Commission. Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have been crafted into a super-smooth, savoury red, edged with wild … Read More
Fattoria Di Basciano Chianti Rùfina DOCG 2015 $25.80
Located in the foothills of the Apennine’s, Rùfina is the smallest subregion of Chianti but also on of the most well-known. This Basciano is heaving with succulent red fruits, dried herbs and liquorice layers. It is velvety, sexy, savoury and I love it! Fact: Chianti Rùfina can’t be released for 12 months after harvest, six … Read More