Winemaker Chris Scott chose fruit from Church Road’s Tuki Tuki Valley block to fashion into what should (if I had my way) be a national treasure. Expertly crafted and scented with grilled grapefruit, seasoned popcorn, ground almonds and roast stonefruit. Its personality draws you in, it almost glows. It’s got gorgeous tension in the mouth, … Read More
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Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $45 (5 stars)
New favourite alert! Chris Scott and his team have crafted a seriously delicious, rich, complex sauvignon from fruit grown in their Redstone vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle. 100% wild fermented and matured in older oak, it shows soft herbaceous, lemongrassy notes combined with nutty layers and a mineral-driven spine. Finely-tuned and incredibly fresh, it’s … Read More
Brennan Central Otago Trio 2016 ($29) (4 stars)
The Brennan family have been growing grapes in Gibbston since 1994, and I’m a huge fan of their blended whites, particularly when they contain a gorgeous 57% gewürztraminer, 35% racy riesling, and an 8% splash of muscat like this one. You get foxy florals, mandarin, lychee, rose petal, and lashings of lovely citrus in the … Read More
Dunnolly Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 ($18.99) (5 stars)
Absolutely banging citrus, passionfruit, basil, lemon, lime, sugar snap pea flavours abound in this new brand on the market. Made by winemaker Nicky Parish, it’s an ultra-tangy tropical tsunami of taste and it has stunning length of flavour. For stockists near you email: winemaker@donnelly.co.nz
Hunter’s Unoaked Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 $18.99 (4 stars)
It’s funny how if you put the word ‘un’ in front of something, people assume it’s going to be somehow lacking. They’ll have to eat their hats, however, because this heavenly little creature from Hunters hits all the right spots. Juicy nectarine and grapefruity goodness on the nose leads to layers of lemon and peach … Read More
Brancott Estate Reflection Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc/Sauvignon Gris 2016 $60 (5 stars)
This blend of the top parcels of sauvignon blanc and sauvignon gris that Brancott’s winemaker Patrick Materman has had his eye on for aeons, this unique wine has exotic aromas of white peach, marzipan, elderflower and a hint of lemongrass. Juicy, mouthfilling and incredibly textural, it’s absolutely gorgeous to sip. Created in collaboration with New … Read More
Lone Goat Canterbury Ehrenfelser 2012 $18 (4 stars)
As soon as you smell this wine you’ll have a throwback to some of those crazy, hybrid varieties of the 1980’s – toasty, creamy, hints of peach and lemon – pronounced ‘air-en-fel-zer’ is a German variety from the 1920’s and Lone Goat have got the only 1.2ha of the stuff in the ground here. Honey, … Read More
Famille Hugel Classic Pinot Gris 2015 $41 (4 stars)
The immediate punch-in-the-face of pear, green apple, quince paste in this brand new release of an Alsace icon will be something you’ll relish. Luscious and exotically spicy, with honeysuckle, fabulous fruit weight and delicious drive across the palate. 100% pinot gris grown in the Riquewihr district has produced a lovely example, which may have tiny … Read More
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $70 (4.5 stars)
The thing that I love about Riflemans chardonnay is that it doesn’t follow any model, any recipe. It’s simply the absolute best example that Sacred Hill can possibly produce, from the fruit sourced from the tiny, heritage, own-rooted Mendoza block high up on the chalky terraces of the Dartmoor Valley. Clean, precise grapefruit pith layers … Read More
Anthony Joseph Vidal 1888 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $120 (5 stars)
The rumours were out that winemaker Hugh Crichton was planning to release something epic in the Vidal chardonnay stakes, and lordy, they were right. From the most glorious chardonnay vintage Hawke’s Bay has seen in a stretch, comes a formidably gorgeous wine scented with popcorn, gunflint and grilled grapefruit and offering gracefully ripe, roasted stonefruit, … Read More