Omata Estate Bay of Islands Pinot Gris 2023

24 November 2023By Yvonne

Omata Estate Bay of Islands Pinot Gris 2023 $32 Northland has so much talent on the pinot gris front and Omata are literally in the front row doing jazz hands. Their Russell-grown new release bursts with classic nashi, beeswax and quince characters dusted with white pepper.  All that good stuff saturates through to the palate … Read More

Mt Difficulty Ghost Town Lowburn Valley Chardonnay 2019

9 November 2023By Yvonne

Mt Difficulty Ghost Town Lowburn Valley Chardonnay 2019 $33-$43 Gorgeously golden in the glass and glowing with cashew and grilled peach aromas, this chardonnay has a beautifully edgy energy to it. Named after the deserted relics of the goldmining era dotted around Central Otago’s river valleys, this wine washes gold across the nose and palate. … Read More

Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2021

9 November 2023By Yvonne

Riverby Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 $28 Deeply golden in the glass and groaning with toasty, roasty, peachy goodness in the glass. Classic baked apple, grilled citrus and stonefruit notes wash across the nose and palate, hints of pineapple wrap around a core of caramelised oak to create a super-fresh impression. Bright, energetic and a joy … Read More

Zephyr Organic Marlborough Riesling 2022

9 November 2023By Yvonne

Zephyr Organic Marlborough Riesling 2022 $28 Ben Glover, winemaker at Zephyr, has an unslakeable thirst for great riesling, which is why he pours his heart and soul into every bottle he makes. He also pours buckets of pixie dust and secret magic and sparkly starlight in there as well. The result is a classically dry … Read More

Brookfields Robertson Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023

9 November 2023By Yvonne

Brookfields Robertson Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2023 $22 From a crazy vintage involving (amongst other things) a cyclone which almost wiped Brookfields out, this pinot gris has emerged triumphantly fresh and clean and crammed with Brookfields signature notes of nashi juice, poached quince and soft baking spices on the nose and palate. Textural and dry … Read More

Smith and Sheth Cru Wairau Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

9 November 2023By Yvonne

Smith and Sheth Cru Wairau Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $30 Deeply complex aromas of jalapeno, bruised basil, lemongrass, fresh sweat and preserved lemon lead to a palate holding a creamy, peachy, soothing character, homemade lemonade and soft nettle notes. Serve chilled to highlight the florals. Smith & Sheth

Montana M Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022

8 November 2023By Yvonne

Montana M Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 $16 If you love a gris with bright nashi notes, quince-crammed complexity and soft spices then this is your jam. Easy, breezy, bursting with fruit sweetness and apple intensity, it’s got late afternoon cheeseboard in the sun written all over it. Widely Available

Montana M Gisborne Chardonnay 2022

8 November 2023By Yvonne

Montana M Gisborne Chardonnay 2022 $16 Bright, peachy, boosted with buttered toast and showing fresh, nutty notes and a lick of pineapple on the finish. A crowd-pleaser for sure. Weddings? check. Parties? check. Anything? check! Widely Available

Montana M Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022

8 November 2023By Yvonne

Montana M Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $16 Roaring with ripe citrus, passionfruit and beautiful bruised basil aromas, but leaning toward the lemongrass and jalapeno end of the flavour spectrum, this is a multilayered example that’ll serve great sippage for any scorching day. Hint’s of lime and white pepper merge with green apple on the finish … Read More

Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Chardonnay 2020

8 November 2023By Yvonne

Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Chardonnay 2020 $49 As a fan of creamy complexity, I leapt up, down, and sideways for this new release from one of our favourite Nelsonian producers. Creamy coconut, almond, and nectarine niceness abound in this smooth, soothing chardonnay. It’s a style that’s also toasty, calm, assured, and groovy enough to get … Read More