First up is the Robertson Pinot Gris, crafted from some of Hawke's Bay's oldest pinot gris vines. It's exceptionally tasty and getting rave reviews overseas already.
"It's crazy to think here in Hawke's Bay that pinot gris plantings are about to take over chardonnay - who would have ever thought, it's just unbelievable," Peter says.
He's also gutted that viognier plantings are declining, "but it's such a hard sell. I firmly believe that Hawke's Bay can make some of the finest viognier in the world, but people can't pronounce it, therefore they won't buy it. Sad."
Then the Bergman and Marshall Bank chardonnays are poured. They're two quite different styles. The Bergman (named after either the actress Ingrid or the Bergman Rose, I forget - no matter) is elegant, fruity and finely balanced.
The Marshall Bank (named after his grandfather's property in West Otago) is made from grapes grown in sunny Ohiti, northwest of Hastings.
It has a pronounced fruit punch on the nose, peach and grapefruity goodness on the palate and some spicy oak "oomph" to finish. It's worth sitting on this wine for a while.
But it's the reds that I'm really here to see. Robertson has a history of crafting exciting reds in Hawke's Bay dating back to his early days working with Tom McDonald at McWilliams Wines in Taradale - which went on to become Church Rd.
Syrah of course is a star - "We've been flat out planting more syrah for the last three to four years," says Peter. "Syrah is just fantastic - and merlot of course is on the up because the Chinese love it. It's nice to see Hawke's Bay get a slice of the pie. Merlot and syrah may not match the international colossus that is sauvignon blanc, but Hawke's Bay has a huge future in reds."
Peter's 2013 merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec, blends of the above, and syrah were an absolute joy to drink.
Established in 1937 alongside the banks of the Tutaekuri River in Meeanee, Brookfields Vineyards is claiming to be Hawke's Bay's oldest boutique winery. Robertson purchased the winery in 1977 and set about transforming Brookfields into one of New Zealand's best-loved brands, crafting wines from vineyards scattered across the region, Ohiti, the Gimblett Gravels, Te Awanga, Korokipo, Moteo, Dartmoor, Te Mata, Bridge Pa and beyond. Yet despite this, there's never a great deal of their wine to go around; they'll produce a maximum of maybe 10,000 cases in a roaring vintage and there are no plans to expand - just plans to make better wine.
Sips of the week
Brookfields Hillside Syrah 2013, $45
Peter only makes this, his flagship syrah, in years when the fruit is exceptional, so this is the first since 2010. Sourced from 17-year-old vines grown on a small, north-facing vineyard overlooking the Bridge Pa Triangle, this is a dense, impenetrable wine seductively perfumed with pink peppercorn, violets, red rose and raspberry liquorice covered in dark chocolate. It's plump and gentle on the palate with seasoned leather, blueberry and baked plum notes. So fresh, juicy and succulent to sip - the tannins are powdery and pliable, it's velvety and beautiful.
Brookfields Burnfoot Merlot 2013, $22
Bright, concentrated, fruit-soaked sophistication here in this generous, plump wine drenched in spices, chocolate notes and attractive, smoky oak flavours. The length of flavour is excellent and although it's drinking beautifully now, it'll reward another couple of years in the cellar. Fresh and fabulous.
www.brookfields
,
vineyards.co.nz
Brookfields Gold Label Cabernet Merlot 2013, $60
If the intoxicating perfume of plum, cocoa, seasoned leather and berry-drenched deliciousness doesn't wow you, the sexy, lithe tannins pole-dancing around its concentrated fruit core will. Velvety-smooth and oozing dark berries and spice, it's an example of excellent wine growing. Buy now or kick yourself.
Monteith's Brewer's Series Raspberry Wheat Beer 500ml 5 per cent, $6.29
Raspberry wheat beers seem to be rising from the amateur brewing ranks into commercial reality with the launch of Monteith's first attempt. Brewer Tony Mercer and his team have created Greymouth's take on a traditional Bavarian-style Weissbier.
The story goes that Tony cooked up the idea while trying to find a beer match for his wife's whipped cream and raspberry pavlova. Rose-gold in the glass, with aromas of raspberry and tropical tones, it's crisp and dry with a touch of tartness and a creamy finish. Nice.
Tiki Estate Marlborough Pinot Rosé 2014, $20
This is just fantastic. Boasting aromas of raspberry, cherry, creaming soda followed by an insanely rich, juicy, fruit-filled palate and an incredibly tangy finish.
It'd be superb with spicy salmon burgers or anything featuring chorizo sausage. This is definitely my kind of rose. www.tikiwine.com