Certified organic and produced biodynamically, this pinot has a cloudy appearance due to it not being filtered or fined therefore it’s filled with flavour, the whole flavour and nothing but the flavour. Soft, elegant, truffle-edged and earthy, I love the baked cherry and raspberry layers – fine-grained tannins and fluttery length. It’s got gravitas for … Read More
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Flying Sheep Hawke’s Bay Sangiovese 2013 $35 (4 stars)
Crafted by the clever kids over at Osawa Wines in Hawke’s Bay’s Maraekakaho district, this is a lithe, lovely, local example of an Italian classic, which boasts buckets of red cherry, redcurrant and raspberry, all wrapped up in an earthy, suede-like texture on the finish. Juicy, yet dry and smoky, it’s maturing nicely and just … Read More
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Reserve Merlot 2014 $25
If you’re like me and have moments where you could absolutely murder a glass of merlot, then this little lovely will make all your wildest dreams come true. Plump, plush and packed solid with plum and black forest flavours, chocolate, sweet smoke notes and a pillowy, perfectly poised texture lead to a long, fleshy finish. … Read More
Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 $48
In 2010 Trevor Shepherd talked his way into a job at Linden, where for four years he toiled (unpaid mostly) to restore the vines and get the decrepit, but legendary winery back up to scratch. It’s clearly worked. There’s a bold, buxom, plum and cocoa character to this wine, complete with grippy tannins, smoky warmth … Read More
Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 $16
Berries? Check. Plum? Check. Truckloads of spices? Check. Ribsticking length of flavour? That’s a check by heck. Basically it’s a warming, cuddly, fabulously tongue-fuzzing, multi-tasking merlot that’ll please the crowds and win friends and influence people. Your wallet will remain calm and zen too. Sip with: slivers of prosciutto www.pointwines.co.nz www.yvonnelorkin.com
Villa Maria Reserve Library Release Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $69.99 (5 stars)
Impenetrably inky in the glass, brooding and stormy and saturated with tobacco leaf, sandalwood, Christmas cake spices and cocoa, this is my favourite of the Library Release wines. The mouthfeel is elegant, slippery and edged with an earthy grip around a core of dark berryfruit. Love it! www.villamaria.co.nz
Villa Maria Reserve Library Release Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $69.99 (5stars)
Eight years on from harvest and this straight cabernet still bright, buoyant and incredibly fresh. I love how plucky and precise the fruit is, the berry and plum definition is just lovely and an injection of smoky cedar really fleshes out this delicious experience. This is great kiwi cabernet right here and it’s a treat … Read More
Villa Maria Reserve Library Release Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009 $69.99 (4.5 stars)
Purple-black and gorgeously glossy in the glass, this is a deliciously dense, berry-saturated cabernet blend edged with bouquet garni herbs and cocoa characters. Softly peppered, fleshy and plump in the mouth and boasting a line of black olive, bay and smoke, it’s a big blend with real pluck and personality. www.villamaria.co.nz
Clearview Estate Hawke’s Bay Old Olive Block 2015 $39 (4 stars)
Here’s a rumpty, ribsticking blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec and merlot from talented winemaking duo Matt Kirby and Rob Bregman. It’s inky-dark and boosted with aromas of blackcurrant leaf, cocoa powder, intense cherry and berry notes and a pinch of pepper. Succulent and juicy to drink, there’s a line of herbaceousness that cloaks … Read More
Soho Zabeel Blue Blood Waiheke Island Reserve Blend 2014 $138 (5 stars)
Excruciatingly gorgeous to drink in that it’s torture knowing that your glass will eventually end. I love the lift of vanilla, pepper, dark chocolate and intense boysenberry layers in this merlot syrah malbec blend by the talented team over at Soho. Dense, dark berries, smoke, cured meats and solid, dusty oak creates supreme definition of … Read More