Fans of softly structured, fleshy, fabulous merlot-dominated reds can kick off their shoes, flick on the telly and pour a glass of this and be confident that it’ll deliver in every respect. Dark red fruits, peppery, cocoa and dried herb characters, deliciously dusty tannins and a long, fresh finish make this a must sip with … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2016 $25 (4 stars)
This is literally the only grenache being produced in New Zealand, so best you get amongst it before its all gone! Crafted from 16-year-old vines growing in the company’s Ngakirikiri Vineyard, it’s a heaving monster of a wine, rammed with floral intensity and spiced berry and cherry flavours. The alcohol is 14.5% and its heat … Read More
Sileni Estates Pacemaker Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2014 $40 (4 stars)
Prepare for a bevvy of blossoms, boisterous berry fruit and buckets of dried herbs and spices on the nose and palate of this intense cabernet franc. Bay leaf, liquorice, black tea and sou bois lushness are all jostling for attention in the glass so sit back and enjoy the battle. If this is your pacemaker … Read More
Stone Paddock Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $25 (3.5 stars)
With its attractive aromas of baked lemon cheesecake, creamy almonds and white peach, this is a delicate, focused chardonnay with a fine line of clean acidity and a long quartzy, citrussy finish. Get set for a zesty-fresh, Bridge Pa-grown glass of goodness as soon as you uncap this wine. Terrific with creamy smoked chicken and … Read More
Ash Ridge Doppio MS & Chave Bridge Pa Syrah 2014 $150 (twin pack)
I’ve never featured two wines in the same review before, but it’s the only way to tackle these bottles of salubrious syrah from Bridge Pa, in what I think is a first for New Zealand. Dubbed ‘Doppio’ after the Italian word for ‘double’, Ash Ridge have opted to keep their two clones of syrah separate … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 20 Jan 2018
Take it to the Bridge… When I was really little we had cousins, who had grandparents who lived in Bridge Pa, a tiny (and I mean tiny), sleepy, little settlement just a few minutes southwest of Hastings. I remember going to stay with them at the grandparents’ house sometimes. It was a house where every … Read More
Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $14.95
With aromas of marshmallow, nougat, nectarine and a squeak of butterscotch, this is a rather tasty, tropically-inclined chardonnay that’s edged with grapefruit on the finish. Balanced, tangy, toasty and fresh, it’s a good, all-purpose, crowd-pleaser. Sip with: Hot roasted salmon. www.moorewilsons.co.nz
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat Jan 13 2018
Babich Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $14.95 With aromas of marshmallow, nougat, nectarine and a squeak of butterscotch, this is a rather tasty, tropically-inclined chardonnay that’s edged with grapefruit on the finish. Balanced, tangy, toasty and fresh, it’s a good, all-purpose, crowd-pleaser. Sip with: Hot roasted salmon. www.moorewilsons.co.nz Mud House Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 $18.99 Sourced from … Read More
Mud House Marlborough Chardonnay 2016 $18.99
Sourced from Marlborough’s Omaka sub-region, this chardonnay has creamy cashew and roast peach characters, layers of citrus and spicy, caramelized oak and buttered crumpet notes. There’s a hint of textural ‘chew’ to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to the finish as well. Sip with: gurnard and macadamia nut burned butter. www.blackmarket.co.nz
Easthope Family Winegrowers Skeetfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 $39
Sourced from Denis and Sally Gunn’s legendary vineyard, Rod Easthope has crafted a beautifully complex, whole-bunch-pressed (yes it makes a difference) chardonnay, fermented with wild yeasts in French oak, and it’s scented with a twang of smoke. Sip with: crayfish burgers. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz