Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Basilicata IGP Greco Fiano 2016 $20.21

February 17, 2018By Yvonne

Here’s a 60:40 blend of greco (gree-ko) and fiano (fee-ah-no) grapes from Acerenza in the Basilicata region of Italy. The greco is responsible for the lime and herbaceous layers while fiano adds white florals, white peach, yellow plum, and hints of white pepper. There are even beautiful guava and peachy layers that extend the ripe, … Read More

Montesole Vigna Vinieri Taurasi DOCG 2008 $48

February 17, 2018By Yvonne

Located on the volcanic hills bordering two Campania regions of Irpinnio and Sannio, the Montesole winery have created a Taurasi (made from 100% aglianico grapes) that’s deeply spicy and saturated with black guava, cherry, boysenberry characters and shows strong, stretchy, dusty tannins. It’s common for these wines to wait decades to be opened, so we’ve … Read More

Grati Chianti Riserva Rufina DOCG 2012 $26.60

February 17, 2018By Yvonne

With 90% sangiovese at play in this Tuscan treasure, it was always a given that it’d boast lashings of leathery loveliness on both the nose and palate. Boosted by regional natives canaiolo nero and colorino, this Chianti is interwoven with notes of cherry and black guava, then boasts muscular tannins and an ultra-long finish. Definitely … Read More

Georgetown Vineyard Cental Otago Pinot Rosé 2017 $29 (5 stars)

February 15, 2018By Yvonne

Georgetown Vineyard Cental Otago Pinot Rosé 2017 $29 (5 stars) Wow! This wine is absolutely heaving with wild strawberries, creaming soda and watermelon-like wonder. So fresh and racy, yet showing incredible depth of flavour, it’s a stunner. Produced from a single vineyard at the eastern end of the Kawarau Gorge, this wine is elegant yet … Read More

Brennan Central Otago Chardonnay 2014 $33 (4 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

The whack of super-ultra-fresh acidity in this wine makes you think it could have been made yesterday! Bright nectarine and grapefruit notes on the nose lead to a creamy, biscuity mouthfeel and zesty length of flavour. It’s a medium weight chardonnay that’ll get the party started. www.brennanwines.com

Lime Rock Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2014 $24 (4 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Go for a hoon around Rosie Butler and Rodger Tynan’s vineyard located just outside of the tiny township of Tikokino (about 20 mins from Takapau and 10 mins from Onga Onga) and you’ll see incredible lumps of limestone rock puncturing the ridgelines. It’s this fossil-rich soil which gives this gris its classically crisp, cleansing, mineral-like … Read More

Stanley Estates Block 8 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 ($28) (4.5 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Such a deliciously earthy undercurrent sweeps across the nose and palate of this wine. Gold medal winner at last years Japan Wine Challenge, the Block 8 is a taut, tamarillo-laden lovely that’s edged with spice, wild fruits, bold acidity and chewy tannins – this Awatere Valley-grown pinot noir is definitely one to watch. Actually don’t … Read More

River-T Estate Waitaki Pinot Gris 2017 $22 (4.5 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

It’s got to be the limestone-laced, river gravels that these vines grow in that makes the wine so bouncy-fresh in the mouth. Think tangy nectarine, quince and nashi notes combining with speed-racer acidity and a lengthy, fruit-soaked finish. Cleansing and crunchy – I love it! www.rivertestate.co.nz

Moutere Hills Nelson Pinot Gris 2016 $23 (4 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Nelson is known around the globe as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to turning out aromatic whites erupting with eye-poppingly pure, clean floral notes and crisp, stonefruit and apple characters. Produced by Rusty Rayne and Lisa Goodson, this pinot gris hits that zingy, spicy spot that sneaks through the dry, pear … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 10th Feb

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

A couple of mornings ago I got out of bed at sparrows to catch a 6am flight. I had a quick rinse under the shower, threw some clothes on by the light of my cellphone torch so as not to disturb the slumbering husband and then I tore through my makeup and hair at warp … Read More