Considerable layers of black fruit depth of plums, black jubes and pepper have been scaffolded into this medium-bodied style. It lingers long amidst finely textured and well crafted tannins. A value wine that promises considerable potential in the cellar. $15 direct.
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Brilliantly crafted rosé that perfectly captures the freshness of rose petals, pomegranates and guavas, gliding seamlessly through a soft, enticing palate. Texture is built through sensitive use of wild fermentation in old oak barrels and stirring of the lees (dead yeast cells) after fermentation. The result is an alluring mouth feel and lingering aftertaste. $17 […]
readIf you like your gris with attitude, Main Divide is your answer. This is a voluptuous and exotic gris from very late picked, ripe fruit, which has been barrel fermented and lees aged to increase mouth feel and complexity. It’s rich with frangipane fragrance, and luscious with apricot and grapefruit, tempered with textural, phenolic (grape […]
readRob Dolan’s ambition is to create a gris of textural structure, which he achieves through skin contact, partial fermentation in oak and lots of agitation of the lees (dead yeast cells) after fermentation. The result has a lot more appeal (and a lot more colour) that you’d expect from gris, particularly from vines grafted just […]
readAn 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 […]
readRedbrook 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 […]
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