“We basically just guide the wine from grape to bottle with as little interference as possible” says Ake Ake’s winemaker, John Clarke. Totally inexperienced when he bought the property in 2004, he went to the library and borrowed some books on how to grow grapes and make wine. Many medals later, he owns Northland’s only … Read More
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Fox by John Belsham Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $26
This is a classic ‘berries and cream’ pinot noir, packed with pomegranate, red cherry and raspberry on the nose and palate. However there’s also this really curious aroma of roasting pan juices and savoury, spicy notes in the background, all followed by a wave of super-fruitiness again on the finish. It’s a lithe, luscious pinot … Read More
Ka Tahi Rangatira Gimblett Gravels Three Barrel Reserve Malbec 2015 $30
Glossy, inky dark and saturated with buckets of berries, vanilla, soft smoky notes and juicy, fleshy, savoury layers make this wine a contender for ribsticking rock star of the week for me. Gentle, textural tannins and attractive tension between the acidity and alcohol (only 13.1% btw) make this Hawke’s Bay version of the Argentinean classic … Read More
Tarras The Canyon Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $59
Just ten years on from launching his Tarras label, Hayden Johnston knows the trophy cabinet is already in need of reinforcement, groaning under the weight of increasingly hefty hauls of trophies and medals for his left-of-centre style of pinot noir. The canyon has a distinctly meaty personality, black tea and toast notes, alongside comforting cherries … Read More
Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto 2014 $60
Ultra-glossy in the glass, this tiny little outfit in Matakana specialise in inky-dark, Italian reds, sangiovese and dolcetto. Only 100 cases were produced of this brightly fruited, herb-heavy wine, bursting with boysenberries, black olive, leather and a tweak of tobacco. Fresh, tantalisingly toasty and boasts a deliciously chewy finish. Sip with: Pork cheek ragu on … Read More
Karikari Estate Pinotage 2013 $42
Winemaker Alan Collinson has unleashed a wine that literally had me leap around yelling at people in my office to taste it. Perfumed, plush, plump and packed with sexy berries and concentrated cocoa, spices and sarsaparilla characters, it’s my new favourite thing. Fresh acidity and soft, stretchy tannins and luscious length of flavour. Gorgeous. Sip … Read More
St Hugo Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $55.99 (4.5 stars)
Here’s a gorgeously glossy, eucalypt and herb-scented little star that’s classic Coonawarra through and through. Blackcurrant, white pepper, smoky, cedar notes, loads of florals and a burst of black olive makes itself known on the finish. It’s a masculine, complex example that’s leathery, earthy and definitely drinking nicely now. www.firstglass.co.nz
Unison Gimblett Gravels Selection Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2010 $57 (4 stars)
Maturing nicely, this classic Gimblett Gravels cabernet oozes bouquet garni aromas, cocoa, mint and graphite alongside a squeak of vanilla and blackberry. The acidity is still right up front, while the tannin layers are softening into a support structure as opposed to being a chewy-dry mouthful. Savoury, peppery, leathery notes show themselves on the finish … Read More
Liberty Wines Les Vignes de L’eglise Merlot Grenache IGP Pays D‘OC 2014 $23 (3.5 stars)
IGP means ‘indication géographique protégée’ which is one of the new French classification terms. It indicates some of the best value for money brands in the land, and I’ll tell you what, this is indeed a lithe little lovely from the Languedoc. It’s not often you get a blend of merlot and grenache in your … Read More
Yering Station Little Yering Yarra Valley Shiraz Viognier 2012 $23 (4 stars)
I just love it when shiraz is tizzied up with a splash of viognier. Just a tiny amount of viognier can elevate the dark fruit and spice aromatics of shiraz into floral realms of freshness that you’ve got to experience. I also love that this wine presents in a slimline, elegant bottle – which just … Read More