Ellen Clifford

9.5

What I need in Chardonnay, so sublime, so subtly nuanced like you sometimes cannot see the layers of tulle through the tutu but the more you pay attention the more each layer shows its contribution, so freshly vibrant of apple juice but that seems too prosaic, it’s the softest and yet acid apple you’ve ever encountered. Honeycomb flounces, allspice veneers all displayed on an altar of zen—the water flowing eternally over pebbles. I am frequently happy for Chardonnay but haven’t been so taken on a ride I never want to end in recent memory — 3 days ago

Ellen Clifford

8.8

Fun and flirty, hints at sweetness without going all the way (I mentioned it's flirty right?) — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Structured but quite elegant with sandy tannins, giving red plums, earth, spice, and incense. — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.0

From Hawke’s Bay! A gem of a north island region I taste so many winners from. The nose is reductive struck match with sea spray and lemon rind. The palate is enviably smooth and crisp as I wish my sheets to be. Oak lily’s with vanilla bean joining tart lemon curd and honeydew. The right balance between luxury china and clean white plates why am I referencing so many housewares in this review — a month ago

Ellen Clifford

8.8

Kylie, famous for…singing and being Australian? To be fair, I enjoyed her recent-ish collab with Sia. Her Prosecco is extra-dry. It is…it is okay? 85% Glera, the rest Pinot Noir. Smells a little strawberry shortcake, heavy on sour strawberries, with a bit of sweetened cream? Spritely, it gives strawberry tops on the palate. It grows on you, sip by sip. I still wished to pour Campari into it to underline the bitterness. There is also a mouth-coating shale-ness that, in the right circumstances, I would love, but somehow it is the subtle sweetness in this wine that undermines the savory. — 8 months ago

Ellen Clifford

8.9

Dry, sappy vibes backed by flowers and fruit, supes runtimes — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

50-50 chard and pinot. Quirky. Stone fruit and almost nose and almond and floral vanilla nose. The palate hits tingly, lifts with more fruit and flowers mid-palate then slopes downwards, finishes somehow savory and honeyed. — 7 months ago

Ellen Clifford

8.9

Made with just a touch of pleasant oak against a tropical backdrop, a smidge of wet, dewy lawn mingled in. — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.2

Just settling into itself—as Barolo does, a mere nine years, and its harmony is budding, bringing roses and mottled earth. — a year ago

Ellen Clifford

9.1

Super friendly, easy to gulp but given time to think about, easy to analyze, to lean into the nuances. This particular one is SO fresh; it’s like you can taste chiller air. The nose is bright red cherry and pomegranate, slightly tangy, reminiscent of tamarind even. The palate is strikingly less tannic than a Piemonte Nebbiolo. Earth-filled, circling back to tamarind, turmeric and cherry compote. Gorgeous and a thinker if you give it the time of day, which…you will. It takes a minute or so to open, but that time spent waiting will be rewarded with an eloquent wine that says just enough. — a year ago