You don’t scoop Gold medals and trophies at international competitions just by turning up do you? If you’re this cracker of a Bordeaux blend crafted by the legendary Miles Dineen, you opt to crash across the palate and make a monster of an impression. Bold, savoury black olive, soy and dark berry flavour concentration leads … Read More
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Kalleske Pirathon Barossa Shiraz 2014 $39.99
Pirathon happens to be an ancient word used to describe a peak or pinnacle and that’s exactly what the team at Kalleske feel they have here. Shiraz is the Barossa’s best grape and Kalleske’s growers up in the Greenock, Moppa, Belvedere, Stonewell, Seppeltsfield, Koonunga and Ebenezer districts of the North West are the best there … Read More
Unison Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2013 $55.00
Tucked away down a long, olive-lined shingle driveway in the middle of the Gimblett Gravels is a tiny winery where Unison’s owner Philip Horn and winemaker Jenny Dobson toil tirelessly to create some of Hawke’s Bay’s most sought after reds. This syrah hails from “the vintage of the century” according to the locals, and it’s … Read More
Kendall-Jackson Vintners Reserve Sonoma County Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $44.99
Sonoma County should be called Cabernet County in my eyes, since it insists on churning out exceptionally earthy, concentrated cabernet like this. Kendall-Jackson are one of the most highly respected producers across the entire California coast and they have a signature cocoa, vanilla, smoky tone to their reds which work stunningly well with the powdery, … Read More
Mount Edward Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $45.00
Don’t fret if you’re staring at this wine thinking it’s a little less glossy than others. Be happy because winemakers Duncan Forsyth and Anna Riederer, haven’t fined or filtered it, opting instead to keep the wine in its pure authenic state. A state of black tea, cherry and mixed spice intensity. The palate is tightrope … Read More
Toi Toi Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2012 $45.50
There’s an expectation out there, and I’m not sure why, that all Central Otago pinot noir has to be inky dark and OTT. This is a deliciously silky, subtle and beautifully balanced example sourced from the arrid slopes of Lowburn. I love the lift of 5-spice, cherry and dried herbs that collide with succulent, juicy … Read More
Tironui Above & Beyond Hawke’s Bay Malbec/Merlot/Cabernet 2014 $35.00
Malbec has the most incredible, deep,inky purple colour, which gives gloss to this deeply complex, dried herb, bitter cocoa and blackberry-soaked Cahors-style blend. The stunningly terraced Tironui Vineyard is perched right at the top of the Sugar Loaf Hill, overlooking The Mission in Taradale and captures the all-day sun. This is a big, tannic red … Read More
Vina Pomal Crianza Rioja Tempranillo 2013 $24.00
This Tempranillo-tastic red was originally created way back in 1908 and has been a huge Spanish favourite ever since. “You cannot get more Spanish than this wine” says our lovely importer Tomas, and we absolutely believe him. Smell that deliciously dusty vanilla note while you’re pouring each glass? That’s a classic result of it being … Read More
Te Mania Three Brothers Nelson Merlot/Malbec/Cab Franc 2015 $24.99
Winemaker Steve Gill has outdone himself here, creating a cheek-slappingly good Bordeaux-style red blend from supremely ripe Nelson fruit. Heaving at the seams with dense, dark berryfruit, juicy Christmas pudding spices, smoky oak, ultra-ripe berryfruit and red apple. I’m guilty of not thinking of Nelson when it comes to sourcing bold, merlot-based wines – but … Read More
Element Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2015 $25.00
Brand spanking new from the newest producer in New Zealand’s most famous red wine growing district, here’s an intensely lifted and fragrant, floral and spicy wine that also oozes blackberry and cocoa notes. I love the peppery liquorice and dried rosemary flavours on the mid palate which merge with bold, dark fruit, muscular, meaty tannins … Read More