Named after the Maori verb meaning ‘to mix’, a single bin each of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer was hand harvested on April 11th from different blocks, blended and fermented wild, to create a wine that commemorates Lawson’s 25th anniversary. It’s a glorious, gussy-up of citrus, peach and musky magic. Juicy and succulent, it’s the … Read More
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Longbush Wines Gisborne Pinot Gris 2017 $13.95 (3 stars)
Here’s a bright, tangy, tropical crowd-pleaser of a pinot gris with good cause behind it. Designed to help fund the Longbush Eco-Sanctuary run by Anne and Jeremy Salmond, it aims to create a haven for endangered birds and plants on the banks of the Waimata River, 7kms from Gisborne. So you can enjoy your pear, … Read More
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $31 (4.5 stars)
This is my kind of chardonnay! With aromas of peachy nougat, a whiff of grapefruit and creamy, biscuity bonza-ness. On the palate it is developing a gorgeous, caramelised core of stonefruit and toasty, nutty oak. Old school chardonnay lovers will love this and new converts to chardonnay will love the freshness – it’s a really … Read More
Lake Hayes Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $24 (4.5 stars)
This is a definite new favourite for me because I love the pure pear, apple and cleansing, quince-like characters in this wine. Produced by the talented team at Amisfield, it’s a bracingly fresh, fruit-focused gris that pops with personality and brightness. There’s a twang of natural sweetness upfront, yet it finishes refreshingly dry and zesty. … Read More
The Hunting Lodge Gisborne Marsanne Viognier 2016 $25
This is a classic Rhone blend of two key varieties that are very tricky to get right, yet the Hunting Lodge kids have cracked it. Incredibly tasty and a total floral-fest on the nose, I love its apricot and jasmine notes, mandarin pith and lemony loveliness. Zesty acidity, incredible texture and deliciously pure, white fruits … Read More
Momo Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $19 (4 stars)
Crafted by the talented team at Seresin Estate, this organic, biodynamically-grown glass of gorgeous is sauvignon but not as you’d normally know it. With its smoked passionfruit, bruised lemongrass and elderflower perfume it’s rather seductive and smooth. Peach and lime layers linger around a creamy core (gathered from 6 months lees aging) to leave a … Read More
Millton Te Arai Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2016 $29 (4 stars)
Glossy and golden in the glass, this organic, biodynamically produced chenin blanc has late summer afternoons written all over it. With its perfume of apple leather, nana’s talc and musky magic, it’s aromatically intriguing, yet on the palate it delivers a whoomph (technical term there) of racy acidity, crunchy apple, pear and citrus pith on … Read More
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $25 (4 stars)
Simon Waghorn and his wife Jane founded Astrolabe back in 1996 and over the following 21 years, his sauvignon blanc’s have become the stuff of legend. Kekerengu is so far south, it’s almost in Kaikoura, and it’s also the Maori name given to the bull kelp which grows along the rocky coastline. Waghorn even once … Read More
Rockburn Tigermoth Central Otago Riesling 2015 $33
This wine tastes like it was hurtling to earth inside a meteorite because of the way it explodes into a million parts on your palate. Crammed with crunchy-sweet, granny smith apple, Tahitian lime and buckets of quartzy minerality in every sip, this vegan-friendly riesling absolutely soars across your tastebuds. Mandarin and yuzu-soaked yumminess. More please! … Read More
Porters Kereru Martinborough Pinot Gris 2015 $30
I’ve lost count of how many lawyers I’ve met who tell me they have a vineyard and make wine, when they actually pay a consultant to come down and get their hands dirty instead. John Porter is not one of those lawyers. He’s been a hands-on winegrower and winemaker, since planting his vineyard in 1992. … Read More