Black Barn Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 $39 If you were wondering what the 2019 vintage was like for the great players in Hawke’s Bay chardonnay – then let it be known that it was, if this wine is any indicator, rather great. This is a wine that I look forward to each year […]
Matawhero Church House Barrel Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2018 $29.99 It’s a rare thing to see chardonnay that’s been farmed without irrigation in this country, but the Matawhero team reckon it’s the best way to achieve purity of flavour and really stamp the signature of the soils on a wine. It means the vines need to […]
Black Estate Home North Canterbury Chardonnay 2018 $42 The Home Vineyard sits 6 kilometres north east of the Waipara Junction, in the Omihi sub-district of North Canterbury’s Waipara Valley. The un-grafted, Mendoza-clone chardonnay vines this wine was made from were planted in 1994 and since 2010 have been grown using organic and biodynamic practices, resulting […]
Nautilus The Paper Nautilus Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $35 I’m a huge fan of this style of sauvignon blanc. I love that a ‘paper nautilus’ is only released when the fruit is exceptional (and 2016 was a rip roarer of a vintage) and I love that it’s been fermented in just one, single, old French […]
Clark Estate Clericus Wild Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $35 Classic barrel fermented, wild-fermented style here, stacked with smoked passionfruit, bruised basil, toasty marzipan notes, soft pepper and lemongrass layers. Named for the most noble and intellectuals in Roman society, this is definitely the thinking persons’ sauvignon. www.clarkestate.com
Matawhero Barrel Fermented Gisborne Chardonnay 2013 $25.99 ★★★★★ Beautifully aromatic, croissant and toast, custard square, nectarine and roast stonefruit. Deliciously layered and tropical. Elegant and beautifully structured. Gorgeous.