Organic, biodynamic and vegan-friendly, this gorgeous pinot noir smells like baking spices and sweet, dark cocoa dusted over caramelized plums served in a bowl carved from oak. Seresin’s flagship pinot, the ‘purest expression’ they can make, is intense in the mouth, with high acidity and muscular, supple tannins. The length of flavour is persistent, brooding … Read More
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Unison Gimblett Gravels Reserve Merlot 2012 $30 (4stars)
I used to work on a raspberry farm when I was in high school (loved it btw) and every time I sniff this wine it takes me back to those days of repeatedly sticking my face inside a leafy, fruit-scented canopy to harvest those plump, juicy berries. Fresh, spicy, with layers of plum-rubbed leather and … Read More
Sottano Reserva de Familia Malbec 2012 $43 (4 stars)
Dense inky, muscular and shows a strong core of dark boysenberry, blackcurrant leaf, charred capsicum, and sensational smoky, meaty layers. The texture of the tannins is chewy and deliciously drying, while a strong current of pepper and cocoa carry through to a long, persistent finish. Enjoy with blackened lamb shoulder and pomegranate glaze. For info … Read More
Cantine Riondo Castelforte Veneto Valpolicella Superiore 2013 $19 (3.5 stars)
The Valpolicella Blend is based on three indigenous red-wine grape varieties grown in the Veneto region in Italy’s northeast. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara are the trio primarily involved in the Valpolicella DOC, Corvina plays the starring role in Valpolicella (up to 75 percent) and is regarded as the blend’s lynchpin. Known more for its acidity … Read More
Villa Pisoni Chianti Riserva 2013 $25.99 (4 stars)
Long gone are the days of your Chianti coming complete with a wicker basket wrapped around the bottle (they’re called ‘fiascoe’s’ btw) Thankfully today Chianti is much classier. Crafted from 100% sangiovese fruit, this light, supple, cherry and berry bang of a wine has powdery, clinging tannins and an earthy undercurrent that I really like. … Read More
Akarua RUA Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $25
Hugely spicy on the nose and palate, this shiny new southern star is heaving with hedgerow fruits, ripe cherry and berry notes, layers of leaf litter and sweet, succulent raspberry tea flavours. Soft, sandy tannins add extra complexity. Sip with: Shredded Duck Burgers www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Byrne Vineyard Te Puna Syrah 2015 $42
Sourced from a tiny patch of land overlooking the jawdroppingly picturesque Te Puna inlet, this smooth, inky-maroon, unfiltered syrah just bursts with fresh berries, subtle cocoa and plucky pepper characters. 10% whole bunch fermented, 50% of which was aged in new French oak, this is fleshy, earthy fabulousness in a bottle. Sip with: Classic beef … Read More
Byrne Vineyard Waingaro Syrah 2015 $32
Ben’s original syrah, sourced from 5 clones grown on his tiny, north-facing block overlooking Lake Waingaro, Kerikeri’s main water supply, is 30% whole bunch fermented with a splash of viogier and some extra viognier skins to boost the aromatic lift. Glossy, gorgeous and perfumed with pepper, violets, bay, cocoa and a hint of apricot kernel, … Read More
Byrne Vineyard Puketotara Syrah 2015 $24
Here you have 100% whole bunch fermented, ‘Chave’ clone syrah from the volcanic loam soils of the Fat Pig vineyard on Puketotara Road in Waipapa. Gently foot-stomped and aged in old French oak, this syrah is a delicate example, weighing in at just 11.5% alcohol. Scented with green peppercorn and violets, it has a plush, … Read More
Craggy Range Te Kahu 2014 $27
Craggy Range’s ‘Giants’ winery (located in Hawke’s Bay’s Tuki Tuki Valley) is often enveloped in early morning mist which rises above the river. They’ve named this wine Te Kahu, (‘The Cloak’ in Maori) in homage to this mist. Like the 2013 vintage, this blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc, has deep colour … Read More