Abel Tasman Nelson Chardonnay 2018 $28 Well I’ll be darned. Mark and Sophie McGill are proven gurus when it comes to making great quality cider. That’s their background, that’s their strength. They should stick with that right? So why did they decide to segway from apples to grapes? Who knows. But I’m pleased they did … Read More
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Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Tony Bish Fat & Sassy Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $23.99 Of all the fat and sassy’s, I think the shiny, new 2019 vintage could very well be the plumpest and cheekiest and goldenest of them all. Tony says he’s keeping it fat with lots of lees work, full malo and quality ripe fruit sourced mostly … Read More
Hunter’s Home Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Hunter’s Home Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 ($30) They might be one of Marlborough (nay, New Zealand’s) oldest and most successful wine companies, but it’s taken them until now to declare an ‘icon’ release sauvignon blanc. Their young winemaker, James Macdonald has been fizzing at the bung to test what’s possible with sauvignon blanc, whilst … Read More
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $21.99 Word on the street is that 2019 was a cracker of a year in Hawke’s Bay for chardonnay and this little Rod McDonald creation definitely doesn’t let the side down. It’s a seriously sippable, grin-inducing burst of nectarine, lemon zest, creamy almond and brulee notes. There’s … Read More
747 Estate Mendoza Selection Chabis Style Gisborne Chardonnay 2017
747 Estate Mendoza Selection Chablis Style Gisborne Chardonnay 2017 $24 It doesn’t say so on the label (which has got to be one of the ugliest I’ve ever seen), the 747 Estate is a brand produced by Gisborne chardonnay pioneer Denis Irwin. Who I was expecting more from to be honest. Ugly, lazy label and … Read More
Trinity Hill 125 Gimblett Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018
Trinity Hill 125 Gimblett Single Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2018 $80 100% Clone 95 chardonnay was harvested from their Tin Shed Vineyard at 125 Gimblett Road, then lovingly shepherded into the bottle by the Trinity Team to create the debut ‘125’. And I am all over it like a chardonnay-obsessed limpet. Aromatically it shows stylish … Read More
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018
Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2018 $40 Holy buttered muffin Batman! This blend of clone 95, clone 15 and old Mendoza vines is one of three chardonnays released by Master of Wine Steve Smith and his team at Smith & Sheth, and it’s as complex as the design on the label. Each … Read More
Jules Taylor OTQ Marlborough Chardonnay 2018
Jules Taylor OTQ Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 $39.99 I feel like I’ve literally been gnawing on my own wrists in anticipation to get my hands on the new OTQ chardonnay from Jules Taylor. Scented with spiced peach and citrus custard, toasty oat and grilled almonds, it’s a tightrope of tension and tautness. Jules calls her top-tier … Read More
Misha’s Vineyard The Cadenza Central Otago Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 375ml 2019
Misha’s Vineyard The Cadenza Central Otago Late Harvest Gewürztraminer 375ml 2019 So here’s the thing. If you thought that gewürztraminer was just a wham bam thank you ma’am kicker of sweetness and blousy spices, then you’ve got another thing coming. Yes the Cadenza is sweet, yet it’s impeccably balanced, showing caramelised apricot, lychee, fresh peach … Read More
Misha’s Vineyard Lyric Central Otago Riesling 2016
Misha’s Vineyard Lyric Central Otago Riesling 2016 $28 Harvested on April 20th 2016, 86% of this blend of 3 different clones went directly into into stainless steel and the remainder into older French oak barrels to add a hint of flint, smoke and minerality to the wine. Intensely dry, cleansing, zingy and bursting with green … Read More