Ceres (seer-ez) is the Roman goddess of Agriculture, and it’s a name which reflects the earth-wise direction of James, Matt and Robin Dicey and their focus on true sustainability. It’s a restrained, elegant style showing layers f leather, dried herbs, cured meats, hints of smoke and juicy, wild cherries on the finish. www.cereswines.co.nz
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Jasci & Marchesani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Biologico 2014 $20 ★★★★
For the last 30 years this estate has been run organically and while this wine is predominantly montepulciano, there could be a sneaky 15% sangiovese in there too. I love how this wine has that sweet, sweaty smell of just-galloped horses, saddle leather and spice. Underneath that initial wave of savoury is some seriously fresh … Read More
Scott Base Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $38 ★★★★
Here’s an ultra luscious, cherry-soaked pinot that has instantly appealing rosehip, spice and sweet tea perfume followed by a fresh, tangy kick of redcurrant, plum and prickly-soft tannins. The finish is clean and satisfying and seriously fruity; it’s an outstanding accompaniment to slow-braised Moroccan lamb shanks www.allanscott.com
Graham Beck The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $18 ★★★½
Designed in homage to the super-shy, South African Cape Leopard, one of Africa’s big 5 (but rarely seen) predators. The fruit for this tobacco, berry and cedar-driven cabernet is sourced from vineyard sites in Robertson, Firgrove, and Stellenbosch and in Groenekloof; vineyards that incorporate a Beck property game reserve on the slopes of Rooiberg Mountain. … Read More
Cypress Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $22 ★★★½
Violets? Check. Peppercorns of all colours? Check. Blueberry? Check. Soft, meaty, gamey flavours make this a rather seductive and savoury syrah to be shared with all of your friends. Preferably the ones that don’t arrive empty handed and instead arrive with armloads of cheese, pate and chocolate. They are the people you should be sharing … Read More
Bernard Schurr Organic Cote du Rhone Villages 2014 $30 ★★★½
Bernard Schurr’s wines are now made at his friend Laurent Delaunay’s estate, Domaine de Lambisque, in the northern reaches of the Cotes du Rhone appellation. This softly spiced, earthy red is a blend of 50:50 Grenache and Syrah, aged for 9 months in large, seasoned oak vessels. It’s got a lovely forest-floor character alongside fragrant, … Read More
Howard Park Margaret River Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $30 ★★★★
An instant hit of crushed blackberry and blackcurrant that’s edged with rooibos tea and hints of tobacco means it’s clearly an overachiever in the aroma stakes. It ranks up with the prefects in palate-weight too with dark, elegantly structured , smoky, cedary oak, chewy cabernet tannins and a choco-spice finish. ‘Miamup road’ runs between Cowaramup and Wilyabrup, … Read More
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $32 ★★★★½
Straight away you’ll be struck by the stunning ruby-garnet colour of this Bendigo-grown pinot – but despite the prettiness of the colour, this wine is quick to grip you around the gumline and shake you into submission. Exotic rosehip, cherry and smoked sandalwood aromas lead to a palate packed with rhubarb, cranberry, black tea and … Read More
Reynella Basket Press McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $40 ★★★★
Alongside the bog standard technical stuff written on the notes that accompanied my sample of this bottle (things like acidity, alcohol, pH etc…) the winemaker has added ‘Occasion = Late Night’. I concur. Dark chocolate, seasoned leather, cigar box and blackcurrant compote notes followed by cockle-warming, juicy, spiciness on the finish, makes this the perfect … Read More
Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $20 ★★★½
Intense blueberry and bay leaf aromatics, stacks of peppercorn, cocoa and plummy notes. Warming and velvety in the mouth – plump and saucy yet elegantly poised. Baking spices and smoky, nutty notes on the finish. Give it a few minutes to open up in the glass and you’ll be rewarded for sure. www.redmetalvineyards.co.nz