An exceptionally warm and early vintage in Hawkes Bay did nothing to diminish the endurance and character of the estate syrah from one of the region’s most celebrated estates. A touch of viognier is as good as invisible within dense black fruits and an undercurrent of cracked black pepper. An impressively poised palate is set […]
readArticles
Redbrook is on the rise. An impressively lively, vibrant and crunchy bouquet of red- and blackcurrant fruits, tobacco and well integrated dark chocolate announces a palate of considerable structure. Wonderfully balanced, finely ground tannins of graphite-like finesse meld confidently with tangy, energetic acidity. It all unites to create an effortlessly medium-bodied wine of seamless line […]
readA brilliantly pristine Barwang, singing with alpine purity and charged with high altitude energy. The bouquet is elegant and fragrant, with lemon blossom and grapefruit zest, announcing a honed and energetic palate. A razor-sharp line of high-tensile acidity draws the finish out long and defined, screaming for time to build depth and flesh. $30 at […]
readA semillon of profound length, driving with considerable concentration and undeviating line into a very long finish. There’s great purity of lemon and lime fruit, with notes of lemon grass, slowly building roast nut complexity. The acidity is softly integrated, making for great drinking right now, and endurance to hold for some years yet. Best […]
readHarvested a full month after Bress’ Heathcote Shiraz, the intensity on display here is tremendous, laced with black fruits and liquorice, yet never pushing its concentration too far, riding the conservative edge of full-bodied with particular prowess. The fruit is of sufficient proportions to effortlessly sustain full whole bunch fermentation, lending complexity of lifted violets, […]
readVilla Maria has long produced some of Marlborough’s finest pinots, and as the region’s reds continue to rise, one of the country’s largest family-owned wineries continues to set the pace. The fruit focus on display here is captivating in its aromas of violets and its flavours of black cherries and blackberries. The palate is fine-tuned […]
readA value-for-money triumph of 2011, creating an enticing juxtaposition between succulent, ripe dark berry compote and rhubarb fruits and the cool season tension of tangy acidity and finely textured, peppery tannins. Textured mouthfeel and confident persistence give an air of sophistication. $10 at Boccaccio, Jim’s and Nicks.
readThe ever-enterprising Bert Werden (WineStar) has sourced a fizz from one of the names that you and I love on the Mornington Peninsula and thrown it up at $10 less than you’d expect to pay for the real thing. The result is a bottle of bubbles with a lot more concentration and fruit persistence than […]
readThe Kalleskes reckon the 2012s are up there with the best wines to emerge from their famous little winery, and their first 2012 red to hit the ground is a promising sign indeed. This brilliant rendition of Clarry’s unites the strawberries, raspberries and mixed spice of grenache with the deep-set black fruits, liquorice and pepper […]
readToo many rosés are simply an excuse to bulk-up a pinot, making dedicated examples like this all the more impressive. Low yielding, early picked pinot lends a medium pink hue and sweet, generous aromas of ripe strawberries and juicy red cherries. The palate is a refreshing counterpoint, with tangy and lively red fruits, a well-played […]
read