Coxhead Creek Matakana Verdelho 2022 $22 This is the third version of Coxhead Creek’s verdelho that I’ve had the good fortune to taste and I’ve got to day it’s fast becoming one of my favourite ‘other’ white wine styles and it definitely provides a touchstone for Northland with this plucky Portuguese variety. The 2022 is … Read More
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Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Muscat 2018
Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Muscat 2018 $30 Gloriously golden in the glass, this musky, Turkish Delight-scented superstar is laced with fresh ginger, beeswax, lime zest and scorched apricots on the nose and palate. It’s incredibly rich and slightly smoky, and shows a kick of fresh, crunchy acidity and there’s a splash of sweetness and lusciousness … Read More
Seresin MOMO Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Seresin MOMO Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $19 Displaying some attractive green apple, lime and tropical tones on the nose, the wine has an immediate herbaceous hit upfront, however it tends to drop away in the mid-palate rather quickly. Attractive, yet lacks the punch and personality of previous vintages. Perfectly decent if you’re catering to … Read More
Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Dillons Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Rapaura Springs Bull Paddock Vineyard Dillons Point Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $27 From a very challenging vintage comes a ray of hope and highlight in this delicious wine. Ultra-concentrated and crammed with lemongrass, lime zest, passionfruit and punchy fresh herbs, it’s bursting with ripe textures and beautifully balanced acidity. Crisp, refreshing, fragrant and with a … Read More
Batch Thomas Legacy Waiheke Island Pinot Gris 2019
Batch Thomas Legacy Waiheke Island Pinot Gris 2019 $74 My sister is a very good schoolteacher. From an early age, she was remarkably committed to finding ways of telling people what to do and how to do it. I once called her ‘bossy’. She said she couldn’t help being ‘aggressively helpful’. So I bought her … Read More
Coal Pit Proprietor’s Reserve Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Coal Pit Proprietor’s Reserve Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $45 If there’s one thing that’ll conjure up tropical imaginings in Central Otago, it’s this fresh, fruity sauvignon blanc. Ultra-tiny amounts are made at Coal Pit, and when it’s released it disappears fast, so I’m extremely fortunate to have snaffled one to taste. Lithe, lemony, and … Read More
The Landing Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2020
The Landing Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2020 $48 Crafted by multi-talented Ben Byrne, from fruit grown on the gentle slopes of the Purerua Peninsula, overlooking Rangihoua Bay, this new vintage of The Landing’s flagship chardonnay is the product of an absolutely stunning set of seasons. Scented with cinnamon and butter toast drizzled with grapefruit juice … Read More
Pegasus Bay Waipara Gewürztraminer 2021
Pegasus Bay Waipara Gewürztraminer 2021 $30 This wine is so beautifully balanced, it’s like the liquid equivalent of a Simone Biles beam routine. Released in the 30th anniversary year of Peg Bay brilliance, this gewürz glows with candied lychee, crystalised ginger, a whiff of white pepper, persimmon and showing a soft, creamy, peachy undertone. Clean … Read More
Forrest Estate Marlborough Albariño 2022
Forrest Estate Marlborough Albariño 2022 $28 Ultra-vibrant nectarine, apple, lime and white peach will up and punch you in the kisser with every sip. The acidity is whipcrack sharp, like swallowing a sword, yet the underlying citrus and peachy plushness smooths and soothes it all out. It’s like an incredibly tasty exfoliation for your oesophagus … Read More
Drummond Farm Happy Jack Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Drummond Farm Happy Jack Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $30 Paired with Skordalia by Annabel Langbein NZ Herald Sat 17th 2022 If you were going to go full authentic on what to sip with skordalia, then best you bust out that bottle of retsina you bought to remind yourself of when you were 20 and went … Read More