Crafted from fruit sourced from Crownthorpe (or as the locals call it “the RD9”) this sauvignon has gentle lemongrass and basil and peach aromatics followed by soft tropical layers on the palate. Freshly herbaceous and a winner with beer battered terakihi. www.millsreef.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Le Bessole Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2015 $39.90 (5 stars)
Here’s a cheek-slappingly gorgeous blend of Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and Rossignola from the good fold at Igino Accordini in Verona. Inky-dark and glossy in the glass, it’s perfumed with plum, red apple, earthy, caramelised oak and dusted with a smorgasbord of spices. Fresh and frisky and chock full of black cherries on the finish, … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Riesling 2016 $25 (3.5 stars)
There’s something about the subtle, apple blossom, lime and floral notes that’ll hook you immediately. Here’s a wine with rich, dry, minerally layers which are a hallmark of the vineyards growing on the terraces of Martinborough’s Ruamahanga River. The team at Gladstone are rowdy riesling fans, and as their vineyards are now certified organic, you … Read More
Urlar Gladstone Riesling 2016 $25 (4 stars)
Angus and Davina Thomson sold up everything they owned in Scotland back in the early 2000’s to find themselves some prime vineyard land, grow grapes, make organic, biodynamically crafted wine, have a tribe of children and live happily ever after on the other side of the world. Urlar is Gaelic for ‘The Earth’ and yet … Read More
Johner Estate Wairarapa Riesling 2016 $20 (4 stars)
Karl Heinz Johner makes wine in opposite hemispheres, with family estates in Baden, (in Germany’s Kaiserstuhl region) AND in Martinborough’s Gladstone sub-region. Riesling is a hero grape for him and he loves the crunchy green acidity, pear notes, baked pipfruit, lime zest and honey characters that Martinborough grapes give. So much so that he’s decided … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat Dec 30 2017
The day I wrote this column everything went wrong. That morning, in a rare moment of Nigella Lawson domestic goddessness, I decided to make a cake. I’d creamed my free-range eggs, sugar and butter, had my organic oranges, lemons and sour cream on standby, and I’d even greased the tin. Then I picked up the … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column Dec 23rd 2017
Panicking about not having bought me a Christmas present yet? Fret not. I’ll be quite happy with either of these before New Year thanks… Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough ‘Ranu’ 2017 $28 Named after the Maori verb meaning ‘to mix’, a single bin each of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer was hand harvested on April 11th … Read More
Lawson’s Dry Hills Marlborough ‘Ranu’ 2017 $28
Named after the Maori verb meaning ‘to mix’, a single bin each of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer was hand harvested on April 11th from different blocks, blended and fermented wild, to create a wine that commemorates Lawson’s 25th anniversary. It’s a glorious, gussy-up of citrus, peach and musky magic. Juicy and succulent, it’s the … Read More
Moët & Chandon Imperial Golden Sparkle Limited Edition NV $69
I love the aromas of rising dough, biscuity notes, and almond meal drizzled with lemon and a touch of tropical fruit in this festive fizz. On the palate it’s zesty and dry, full, yeasty and edged with a squeak of citrus to elongate the flavour layers. The bead is delicate, it looks and tastes like … Read More
Amisfield RKV Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $120
When winemaker Dr Stephanie Lambert decides to take a batch of fruit from Amisfield’s lean, bony, loessial Rocky Knoll Vineyard to create a wine she feels is exceptional, then you should take notice. The RKV was created in 2007 and now it’s a Central Otago icon. Wild strawberry, cherry, dried thyme and tea-like aromas lead … Read More