Wine Matching for Christmas Feasting So it’s Saturday 23rd and you’ve been nominated to host the main Christmas shindig. You bust a gut preparing the most impressive menu you can, yet experience has it that the guests will arrive bearing less than average wine that’d be more at home in the chilli bin at your … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Longbush Wines Gisborne Pinot Gris 2017 $13.95 (3 stars)
Here’s a bright, tangy, tropical crowd-pleaser of a pinot gris with good cause behind it. Designed to help fund the Longbush Eco-Sanctuary run by Anne and Jeremy Salmond, it aims to create a haven for endangered birds and plants on the banks of the Waimata River, 7kms from Gisborne. So you can enjoy your pear, … Read More
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $31 (4.5 stars)
This is my kind of chardonnay! With aromas of peachy nougat, a whiff of grapefruit and creamy, biscuity bonza-ness. On the palate it is developing a gorgeous, caramelised core of stonefruit and toasty, nutty oak. Old school chardonnay lovers will love this and new converts to chardonnay will love the freshness – it’s a really … Read More
Ruby Bay Vineyard Captain’s Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 $28 (4 stars)
This little cracker from the sunshine capital is maturing into a bit of a spice-fest indeed. Edged with rhubarb, tamarillo and masses of cherry, it’s a lovely, tangy pinot noir with freshness and friskiness. Email: info@rubybayvineyard.co.nz to buy.
Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $30 (4.5 stars)
With syrah vineyards in Hawke’s Bay’s key regions, the winemaking team at Leveret can pick and choose where to source the best fruit. 2014 was a cracker for syrah, it was slightly cooler, meaning the wines were less bolshy, more elegant, stylish, self assured and good to go for years and years. Clean, precise dark … Read More
Lake Hayes Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $24 (4.5 stars)
This is a definite new favourite for me because I love the pure pear, apple and cleansing, quince-like characters in this wine. Produced by the talented team at Amisfield, it’s a bracingly fresh, fruit-focused gris that pops with personality and brightness. There’s a twang of natural sweetness upfront, yet it finishes refreshingly dry and zesty. … Read More
La Marca Prosecco D.O.C $24-$27
How stylish is this bottle? It shouldn’t matter I know, but it helps if it looks like money on the table right. Unlike many Prosecco’s on the market, it’s not sweet. In fact it’s deliciously dry, snappy-fresh, citrus-driven and has a light, ‘frizzante’ texture, so it doesn’t erupt in your mouth like a fizz-bomb. Instead … Read More
The Hunting Lodge Gisborne Marsanne Viognier 2016 $25
This is a classic Rhone blend of two key varieties that are very tricky to get right, yet the Hunting Lodge kids have cracked it. Incredibly tasty and a total floral-fest on the nose, I love its apricot and jasmine notes, mandarin pith and lemony loveliness. Zesty acidity, incredible texture and deliciously pure, white fruits … Read More
Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2016 $39.95
2016 was an absolute screamer of a vintage for the Matahiwi team, and there was absolutely no question that they’d be making a ‘Holly’ pinot that year. It went on to score a Gold medal at the 2017 London International Wine Competition and as soon as you sip it you’ll see why. Huge flavours here, … Read More
YVONNE LORKIN CANVAS COLUMN FOR SAT DEC 16 2017
Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2016 $39.95 2016 was an absolute screamer of a vintage for the Matahiwi team, and there was absolutely no question that they’d be making a ‘Holly’ pinot that year. It went on to score a Gold medal at the 2017 London International Wine Competition and as soon as you sip … Read More