The wine store with passion
Wine drinking has a very, very important rule: drink what you like! But never be afraid to try something new or different. Wine drinking should be fun, free of much of the garbage that interferes with the rest of our lives. It should be a catalyst for social intercourse. It should be pleasurable and memorable, it should be savoured and discussed, it should be fun.
Current wine special offers
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Carrick Billet Doux Central Otago 2018 Pinot Noir
$28.99
The Billet Doux is a preservative free wine made with fruit from the Cairnmuir Vineyard. Each year a small parcel of Pinot Noir is identified as appropriate for producing this wine. Made in tiny quantities, it is hand bottled with a cork closure.
We first tried the 2017 version of this wine in Wellington at the start of the year. We were blown away at how good it was. We were disappointed to find yet not surprised, that it had sold out.
When the 2018 was released, we grabbed a bottle. Our reaction was instant. WOW. It is a wonderfully interesting, delightful and serious Pinot Noir, at what we believe to be a bargain price for a wine of this quality.
It won't go to a wine show and was very much a secret until now.
Elsewhere up to $36.99
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Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2018
$13.99
93 Points 5 Stars Wine Orbit
"Beautifully ripe and youthfully fragrant, the fragrant bouquet shows Black Doris plum, violet, vanilla and olive characters, leading to a beautifully weighted palate that is succulent and fleshy. It is up front and approachable, filled with delectable flavours. At its best: now to 2022."
At our tasting this wine sold out in a flash, it was a huge hit.
Elsewhere up to $18.99
Yalumba Samuel's Collection Barossa 2017 Grenache Shiraz Mataro
$19.99
The new GSM from Yalumba really is the goods delightfully full, charming and seductive.
Another strong vintage for Yalumba in 2017 also sees a beautiful label refresh/redesign. Their blockbuster GSM, previously known as The Strapper, will now forever be known as 'Samuel's Collection, Barossa Shiraz. Gone are the quirky labels, instead we have a label of class and structure - more representative of the wine inside. Concentrated Barossa Shiraz sandwiched between fragrant Grenache and spicy, savoury Mataro - it's a wine with subtle elegance and superb freshness. The type of red that Riesling lovers and winemakers enjoy, because of its excellent layers of flavour and absolute drinkability that is hard to tire of. Great with savoury dishes and meats, also just downright gluggable.
Elsewhere up to $27.99
Saint Clair Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2016
$21.99
Gold Medal Mondial du Merlot 2018
Trophy & Gold Medal New Zealand Royal Easter Wine Show 2018
5 Stars Michael Cooper 2018
5 Stars Raymond Chan 2018
Great Gimblett Gravels Merlot
"...Delicious young, it is fragrant and vibrantly fruity, with very generous plum, black current, red-berry and spice flavours, gentle tannins, and a very harmonious, rich, finish. Forward in its appeal, it's likely to be at its best 2019+." Michael Cooper
Elsewhere up to $31.99
Domain Road Defiance Felton Road Central Otago Chardonnay 2017
$23.99
Gold 96 Points Decanter Wine Awards 2019
96pts Cameron Douglas MS
Silver Bob Campbell MW
4 Stars Wine State " Well worth cellaring ....light lemon/green it has a fresh, citrusy, slightly smokey bouquet, showing good complexity. An elegant, youthful wine, it is tightly structured with vibrant grapefruit-like flavours, fresh acidity, savoury biscuity notes and a lengthy finish."
"A delicious wine that captivates and shows off Chardonnay from the region". Cameron Douglas MS
Elsewhere up to $31.99
Askerne Reserve Hawke's Bay Gewurztraminer 2018
$24.99
New Release
5 Stars Michael Cooper August 2019
5 stars Wine State. They said...
"Already a lovely mouthful, this is a softly mouthfilling wine, weighty and rich. Bright, light lemon/green, it has concentrated stonefruit flavours, hints of ginger and spices, excellent delicacy and harmony, and an off-dry, lasting finish.'
Harvested at 1 tonne per hectare you know its going to be good coming from these guys. Made for the cellar.
Elsewhere up to $31.99
Grey Ridge Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
$26.99
Over the last 20 years we have seen the growth in the quality and the love for the 'Central Wine’ explode. This wine represents a number of the reasons for that growth.
The lovely cherry bomb of Central Otago smoothness that wraps itself around your senses and forces you to ‘unquestionably want’ another glass. Medium in colour, with a nose full of cherry ripeness which leads to a beautifully balanced palate, which seduces and charms.
Great drinking now and well into late 2020 early 2021.
Small production, so not a regular on the show circuit. We cannot recommend this stunner enough.
It is our “Pinot Noir Buy of The Year” to date.
Silver Medal Bragato Wine Competition
A little note: When you compare this wine, with many of the usual suspects at this price point it simply leaves them in its wake. Those who like screaming at Meg, walking the Devil's Staircase, counting to Two and the Rabbits on the Ranch will be HUGE fans of this wine very quickly.
Elsewhere up to $39.99
Askerne Hawkes Bay Viognier 2018
$18.99
New Release
5 Stars Wine Orbit
Silver NZ international Wine Show 2018
4 1/2 Stars Michael Cooper August 2019. He said...
"The 2018 vintage is a great buy. Fully barrel-fermented, it is a fragrant, generous, strongly varietal wine, with substantial body. Sweet-fruited and finely textured, it has ripe, stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, fresh acidity, and a smooth, dryish (5 grams/litre residual sugar), well-rounded finish."
A massive hit at our tasting, this wine is a delight. In our opinion the best value and more than likely one of the best in the country, year in, year out. It has brilliant balance something can be very difficult to achieve with this grape variety.
Elsewhere up to $24.99
Beach House Selection Hawke's Bay Chardonnay 2018
$18.99
New Release
Previous versions of this wine have done extremely well, with the 2017 receiving 4 1/2 Stars Top 10 Cuisine in 2018. Now to the 2018 - in our opinion the best in years and years. Deliciously drinkable now with the ability to age for 5 or more years.
A wonderful balance of citrusy, mealy fruit with a bright palate flow. Vibrant, lovely stone fruit flavours with delicacy and depth. Subtle oak, impressive complexity and harmony complete the picture.
Elsewhere up to $26.99
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Rabbit Island Nelson Chardonnay 2018
$14.99
New Release
Incredibly good buying. Inexpensive, good quality Chardonnay is hard to find. They are plenty available yet few shine. This one has all the right bits in all the right places. Lovely fruit and acid balance with the great "I'd love another sip" jumping up at you.
Elsewhere up to $16.99
Tin Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019
$14.99
Hot off the bottling Line. Super New Release
I really should say ‘cold off the bottling line’ but...
Here it is our HUGE Selling Sauvignon Blanc, The Best Buy is Back. From the magnificent 2019 vintage. Punchy, bright and morish. The perfect appetizer to Spring.
Tropical fruit, red pepper, hints of fresh herbs. The taste of spring has arrived.
Elsewhere up to $23.99
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016
$31.99
5 Stars Michael Cooper
5 Stars Raymond Chan's Wine Reviews
95/100 Gold Bob Campbell MW. He said...
"Greywacke’s Pinot Gris 2016 is among the best examples produced from Marlborough. It’s a sensitively-made wine, with strong varietal character and an ethereal texture. An initial hint of sweetness is perfectly balanced by fruity acidity to give a pleasingly dry finish."
Elsewhere up to $33.99
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Yalumba Y Series Pinot Gris 2018
$13.99
4 1/2 Stars Wine Orbit. They said...
"Youthful and delightfully fruited, the bouquet shows rockmelon, nectarine and fresh pear aromas with a touch of white floral. The palate delivers juicy fruit intensity and rounded mouthfeel, elegantly framed by fine texture and refreshing acidity. Very likable and easy to enjoy. At its best: now to 2020."
Elsewhere up to $18.99
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Maison Noire Hawkes Bay Chenin Blanc 2018
$28.99
4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper
"The distinctive, youthful 2018 vintage is a dry style, fermented in French oak casks (30 per cent new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with vibrant, citrusy, peachy, slightly biscuity flavours, showing excellent depth, ripeness and complexity, finely balanced acidity and obvious cellaring potential. Best drinking 2021+." Michael Cooper
"If you’re looking for the perfect wine sip while nibbling on Gougeres (or any sort of sexy, cheesy pastry-encased morsel), then look no further than the shiny, new Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay.
Golden, glossy in the glass and heaving with crisp, lip-smacking acidity, toasted coconut and grapefruit characters alongside roasted apples and all manner of mineral-induced magic in the mouth. Chenin Blanc hails from the Loire Valley in France (which is where its winemaker Guillaume Thomas is also from) yet it’s clearly made a happy home in Hawke’s Bay Tuki Tuki Valley and we should make it welcome." Yvonne Lorkin
Elsewhere up to $29.99
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Yalumba Y Series Viognier 2018
$13.99
91 Points 4 1/2 Stars Wine Orbit
4 Stars Raymond Chan
92 Points Silver Medal Bob Campbell MW. He said...
"Buy of the Week. Delicately luscious Viognier with ginger, floral and tropical fruit flavours. Smooth-textured with an off-dry finish. Always good value, this is an absolutely delicious wine at a great price."
Elsewhere up to $18.99
Opawa Marlborough Rose 2018
$19.99
Silver NZ International Wine Show 2018
"This wine is bright light salmon colour with a charming and vivacious nose of ripe peaches, pomegranate and spices, leading into a mouth filling, smooth palate. The finish is fresh, clean and refreshing. Opawa Rosé is a dry wine that is a perfect aperitif or accompaniment to fresh summer cuisine."
Elsewhere up to $24.99
Opawa Marlborough Rose 2018
Magnum 1.5L
$39.99
Silver NZ International Wine Show 2018
"This wine is bright light salmon colour with a charming and vivacious nose of ripe peaches, pomegranate and spices, leading into a mouth filling, smooth palate. The finish is fresh, clean and refreshing. Opawa Rosé is a dry wine that is a perfect aperitif or accompaniment to fresh summer cuisine."
Elsewhere up to $49.99
Magnum 1.5 litre
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2016
$24.99
"A very spicy Syrah indeed – you could fill a spice rack with the number of different spices emanating from the glass. Cloves, cinnamon, nutmeg, cumin, allspice, posh spice (wait a minute…?). Along with the spice come black berries and red currants.
Judicious use of oak allows the fruit to shine in an elegant style of Syrah that is not only delicious but devilishly drinkable. What more could you ask for in a Gimblett Gravels Syrah? Enjoy now until it’s gone because this never lasts for long. But if you were to attempt cellaring it will gain interest and complexity well into the 2020’s."
When we first tried this wine we instantly loved its elegance, refinement and power. in the past the Beach House Syrah's have often been about muscle over finesse. This one makes a great shift.
This is a delicious New Zealand Syrah from a top vintage. Medium bodied beautifully structured with great appeal.
Elsewhere up to $31.99
Askerne Hawkes Bay Syrah 2014
$16.99
4 ½ Stars Wine Orbit
"Using a combination of estate and off-site fruit has enabled us to produce a Syrah of purity and vibrancy. Suggestions of blueberry and cranberry define the nose along with a savoury complexity from extended barrel aging on full lees. This savouriness also contributes weight to the palate, the textural edge comes from suave and supple skin tannins. Enjoy now of cellar for 3-5 years."
A Great Bang for the Buck Red: "Nothing Too Serious" using the words Iva Davies of Ice House
Elsewhere up to $26.99
D'Arenberg Laughing Magpie 2014 Shiraz Viognier
$26.99
McLaren Vale Shiraz (94%) Viognier (6%)
Blue Gold Sydney Top 100 2019
Gold The China Wine Awards 2018
"Nice round, plump style of Shiraz. Loads of plum and black berry on the nose, with the small Viognier component adding exotic notes of spiced apricots. There's lots of ripe plum flavours, alongside graphite and dried herbs. It's a luscious, soft wine, finishing with restrained tannin and moderate acidity." d’Arenberg
Elsewhere up to $35.99
D’Arenberg The Love Grass McLaren Vale 2016 Shiraz
$18.99
Gold McLaren Vale Wine Show 2018
"Quite a lifted nose, with intense aromas of mulberry, plum and graphite. The palate is round and delicious with more mulberry and more plum. The wine finishes quite long, with moderate acidity and loads of fine, spicy tannin.” d’Árenberg
We sampled this wine in early August and were immediately struck by its class, drinkability and HUGE value. It has an ease about it that belies its depth and power. It is a serious drop with a real ‘Wow I'm here’ factor about it.
Our sub $25 d’Árenberg pick and a wine that promises much in the future.
Elsewhere up to $25.99
D'Arenberg McLaren Vale The Hermit Crab Viognier Marsanne 2016
$16.99
Viognier 72% Marsanne 28%
Gold Houston 2017
Gold China Wine & Spirits Best Value 2018
94 Point Tony Key. The Key Report
"Shows distinct Viognier aromas - orange blossom and apricot - but tamed by Marsanne's citrus and touch of acidity. very attractive, complex bouquet, honey and spices, toasted nuts. The palate is rich and unctuous, soft and silky textured with sweet fruit galore lifted by a well-managed hint of residual sugar. It's well-balanced and a real crowd pleaser. Amazing value." Huon Hooke Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine
Elsewhere up to $22.99
Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise McLaren Vale Shiraz 2017
$16.99
This great little Shiraz was a Huge Hit earlier in the year. Shiraz pure, simple and very good indeed.
Gold & Best Value 2019 China Wine & Spirits Awards
Deep plum with a crimson hue with a lifted bouquet of raspberry, plum, mulberry and blackberry. Bright and juicy with plum and dark berry fruits. The succulent and rich fruit is wrapped in fine tannins. This wine has lovely weight and balance.
The McLaren Vale vintage of 2017 was rated the best of all the South Australian sub regions, hence such great wine at such a small price.
Elsewhere up to $21.99
Red Knot McLaren Vale 2017 Cabernet Sauvignon
$15.99
Champion Cabernet Sauvignon McLaren Vale Wine Show 2017
Gold Medal McLaren Vale Wine Show 2017
Gold Medal Melbourne International Wine Show 2018
Gold Medal New World Wine Awards 2018
Gold 2019 Selections Mondiales des Vins Canada
"Brilliant deep magenta. Fragrant primary aromas of blackcurrant are highlighted with nuances of dark chocolate, fennel and bay leaf. The ripe blackberry and blueberry flavours are framed by fine, cedary oak and linger on the long finish. The textured tannins and savoury elements combine with the dark berry fruit to complete this medium to full-bodied Cabernet Sauvignon."
Winery
Elsewhere up to $21.99
Yalumba Y Series Shiraz Viognier 2017
$13.99
90 Points Silver Medal Bob Campbell MW.
91 Points 4 1/2 Stars Wine Orbit. They said...
"It is delightfully lifted on the nose showing Black Doris plum, cherry, violet and mixed spice aromas, followed by a beautifully rounded palate that is plump and succulent. The wine offers pristine fruit flavours together with elegant spicy nuances, finishing long and supple. At its best: now to 2021."
Elsewhere up to $18.99
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Box A Central Burgundy
$311.88
5 Domain Road Defiance Felton Road Central Otago Chardonnay
4 Grey Ridge Central Otago 2015 Pinot Noir
3 Carrick Billet Doux Central Otago 2018 Pinot Noir
Elsewhere up to $430.88
Box B Smooth Red Attention
$224.88
6 Yalumba Y Series Tempranillo 2018
3 Grey Ridge Central Otago 2015 Pinot Noir
3 Yalumba Samuels Collection Barossa 2017 Grenache Shiraz Mataro
Elsewhere up to $317.88
Box C For the Love of White
$270.88
5 Domain Road Defiance Felton Road Central Otago Chardonnay
4 Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018
3 Askerne Reserve Hawke's Bay Gewürztraminer 2018
Elsewhere up to $355.88
Box D Kiwi Love
$275.88
3 Domain Road Defiance Felton Road Central Otago Chardonnay
3 Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018
3 Grey Ridge Central Otago 2015 Pinot Noir
3 Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot 2016
Elsewhere up to $368.88
