Rabbit Ranch Central Otago Rosé 2018 $22.95 Crafted from 100% pinot noir, this snappy little rosé resembles the styles of Southern France, skating down the dry and spicy-fresh side of the fence and leaving a comet tail of soft melon, cranberry and pink peppercorn characters on the palate. Clean, crunchy and built for serving super-chilled […]
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2017 $21.99 Punchy and peppery right upfront then followed by juicy raspberry and cherry and light leathery, earthy notes on the palate. It’s a great introduction to good, affordable, Gimblett Gravels syrah and as soon as you’ve tasted it you’ll be hooked!
Catalina Sounds Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 $24 Passionfruit. check. Lime. Check. Crushed herbs. Check. Cut grass and capsicum. Check. Spark and personality? Hmmm not so much. I was expecting a punch in the face, but got a flick from a damp teatowel instead. It’s an ok drink, but for $24 it’s lacking pungency and […]
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2017 $24 Bold, juicy and ready for action, this velvety-smooth red has cocoa, dark cherry, plum and peppery warmth on the palate. It’s fleshy, beautifully textured and fabulous with moussaka. www.millsreef.co.nz
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot 2017 $24 Bold, juicy and ready for action, this velvety-smooth red has cocoa, dark cherry, plum and peppery warmth on the palate. It’s fleshy, beautifully textured and fabulous with moussaka. www.millsreef.co.nz
Hunter’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 $24 Holy peach pit Batman! This is like a tropical, toasty roundhouse kick to the face by a cheeky chardonnay often discounted down to the $18.99 mark. Absolutely heaving with gorgeous roast stonefruit, grilled grapefruit, toasted cashew, and incredibly zesty acidity makes this a wow moment for me as chardonnay lover […]
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $22 Grown in the gloriously weedy, certified organic vineyard owned and lovingly tended by Lars and Sam Jensen, the Richmond Plains sauvignon is nothing short of a Nelson icon. Aromatically it sings with lemon blossom, red capsicum, sugar snap pea and lime notes. Racy acidity, boatloads of florals […]
Ash Ridge Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $21 Lemon, lime notes on the nose and palate, they’re edged with seashell minerality and expect some marzipan and toasty notes from the 85% barrel fermentation as well. It could do with more generosity and freshness in the mid palate however. www.ashridgewines.co.nz
Ashwell Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $20 Bright and bursting with citrus and nectarine notes in every sip. Add to that elderflower, lemon blossom and a lick of lemongrass and you get extra deliciousness on the nose and palate. This little bit of Martinborough magic is intensely fresh on the palate, with zesty acidity, good astringency, […]
Melton Estate Canterbury Pinot Gris 2015 $20 Located in the leafy climes of West Melton, 20 mins or so drive west of Christchurch city, this pinot gris has a hint of botrytis character happening, honeyed notes, beeswax and some roast stonefruit showing through. Doesn’t really show the classic nashi, pear, quince and apple characters that […]