Bostock Wines Vicki’s Vineyard Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 $50 I deliberately left this wine for a year from release to taste it because from what I’d read about how it was made, I figured a little time would really elevate things immensely. Sometimes I do actually have ideas that work out for the best because … Read More
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Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough Ranu 2020
Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough RANU 2020 $28 This is only the second RANU produced by Marcus Wright and his winemaking team at Lawson’s, and I for one am very happy to see it. Very happy because I am an unashamed fan of the blended white, and this one happens to be a full, rich, rock … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Te Awanga Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $24.99 Crafted by Rod McDonald, this coastally-grown chardonnay has unique aromas of seabreezes and custard squares and peach conserve spread on buttered toast with charred edges. It’s creamy, stonefruit saturated and licked with a whisker of white pepper which adds complexity and yumness (should totally be a word) … Read More
Junction Pastime Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019
Junction Pastime Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 $22 One sip and it’s blindingly obvious as to how this wine romped into a trophy spot at the Hawke’s Bay Wine Awards. With its aromas of crisp apple and nashi and cleansing, dry, white pepper, musky ginger and five-spice characters. Nicely balanced, it’s an apple-edged, aromatic … Read More
Middle Earth Nelson Pinot Gris 2020
Middle Earth Nelson Pinot Gris 2020 $22 My number-one match for pumpkin soup has always been good pinot gris, and that’s not about to change now that I’ve tasted Middle Earth’s new delish offering. There’s something about the rich, spiced nashi notes and juicy, cleansing, luscious mouthfeel in this wine that makes it perfect with … Read More
Blackenbrook Shangri-La Nelson Gewürztraminer 2020
Blackenbrook Shangri-La Nelson Gewürztraminer 2020 $23 One Nelsonian name associated with great gewürztraminer is Blackenbrook. It’s like they’ve got lychee and ginger running in their veins – they never seem to turn out anything but sensational styles and this 2020 example is no exception. Fresh, feisty, dry, clean and crunchy textures merge with pure pear, … Read More
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2020
Blackenbrook Nelson Pinot Blanc 2020 $27 Blackenbrook’s owners Daniel and Ursula Schwarzenbach are ultra-chuffed to have scooped the trophy for the ‘Other White Wine Varieties’ class at the New Zealand International Wine Show at its recent awards announcement. This is the winery’s second vintage of Pinot Blanc and their pinot blanc’s second trophy in prestigious … Read More
Mt Difficulty McFerin Ridge Lowburn Valley Chardonnay 2018
Mt Difficulty McFerin Ridge Lowburn Valley Chardonnay 2018 $37 (approx) From a real rollercoaster of a vintage comes a wine with remarkable poise and composure. From the whiff of white nectarine, grilled grapefruit and baked pineapple, to the taut, stonefruit saturated palate surrounded by cashew and cream notes, it’s a Central Otago chardonnay that’s very … Read More
Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling 2018
Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling 2018 $21.99 While it says on the back label that it’s made in a ‘dry’ style, it actually has a squeak of sweetness which accentuates the soft apple and lime notes in this refreshing wine. It’s quaffably tasty, not overly complex, but will work nicely with classic butter chicken or sweet and … Read More
Riverby Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Riverby Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 $22 If you’re a fan of the classic crushed herb character that good Marlborough sauvignon blanc is famous for, then this will be your box of biscuits indeed. Tropical tones, lemongrass layers and a tweak of tomato stalk make this a good example of the style and one that’s … Read More