Here’s a vegan-friendly red that has masses of blackcurrant, violet, dried herb and pepper notes on the nose and has black tea, cherry, red fruits and spicy notes on the palate. Fresh acidity, grippy tannins and good length make this a great BBQ sipper with tender, roasted mushroom and eggplant stacks. www.moanapark.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Momo Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $19 (4 stars)
Crafted by the talented team at Seresin Estate, this organic, biodynamically-grown glass of gorgeous is sauvignon but not as you’d normally know it. With its smoked passionfruit, bruised lemongrass and elderflower perfume it’s rather seductive and smooth. Peach and lime layers linger around a creamy core (gathered from 6 months lees aging) to leave a … Read More
Millton Te Arai Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2016 $29 (4 stars)
Glossy and golden in the glass, this organic, biodynamically produced chenin blanc has late summer afternoons written all over it. With its perfume of apple leather, nana’s talc and musky magic, it’s aromatically intriguing, yet on the palate it delivers a whoomph (technical term there) of racy acidity, crunchy apple, pear and citrus pith on … Read More
Astoria Butterfly Treviso Prosecco 2016 $19 (4.5 stars)
Been avoiding prosecco because you think it’ll be too sweet? Well, fret no more, because here’s a crisp, citrus-laced spritz-fest in a bottle. This tangy example from Treviso shows lovely tension in the glass with a subtle lick of green apple and honey. At a positively demure 11% alcohol, it definitely won’t send you sideways … Read More
Moet & Chandon Ice Imperial Champagne $69.99 (4 stars)
Here’s the opposite of what Moet used to be all about. Lean, dry and minerally, this is not. Fat, tropical tones, peach and sweet, musky layers that cry out to be poured over ice and sprinkled with mint or flecks of dried berries. Apricot, caramelised characters and a rich, luxurious sweetness wash across the palate … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for week beginning Sat 9th Dec 2017
As I write this, a clutch of businesses on the street where my office is located, are preparing for our annual street Christmas party. Five bucks and BYO nibbles is all we needed to bring apparently. Due to this column deadline, I have not had time to go out and get ‘nibbly-fied’ – so to … Read More
Heron’s Flight Matakana Amphora Sangiovese 2016 $120
Tiny amounts of handpicked sangiovese were fermented wild on their skins inside 500 litre clay amphorae for six months then rested another 6 months in traditional terracotta vessels before being transferred to this gorgeous wax-sealed bottle. Naturally handled with no additional sulphites, it’s exceptionally delicious. Bright, vibrant, dark fruit, floral intensity and buckets of pepper, … Read More
Silver Wing Nada Preservative Free Waipara Syrah Rosé 2017 $27
Here’s a rosé made from 100% handpicked, whole bunch pressed syrah from Andrew Fox’s vineyard, where it’s fermented with wild yeasts and spends 5 months in barrel to introduce extra complexity. A portion of original juice was snap-frozen at pressing and then added back to the wine at bottling to kickstart a second ferment in … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat Dec 9 2017
You make me feel like a natural woman… Silver Wing Nada Preservative Free Waipara Syrah Rosé 2017 $27 Here’s a rosé made from 100% handpicked, whole bunch pressed syrah from Andrew Fox’s vineyard, where it’s fermented with wild yeasts and spends 5 months in barrel to introduce extra complexity. A portion of original juice was … Read More
Clos Marguerite Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 $46 (4 stars)
Perfumed with baked plum and cherry notes, it also boasts soft, savoury, creamy layers on the palate. Named after Marguerite, winemaker Jean-Charles’ wife, this pinot noir is much like her, complex, delicate and yet boasts lovely depth of character. It’s a lovely example that’s maturing nicely and would be amazing with spicy, red curry duck. … Read More