Brancott Estate Special Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2012

10 January 2013By Yvonne

Brancott Estate Special Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2012 $28 ★★★★ Wild passionfruit, elderflower, white peach, basil, white pepper, nectarine and lime – it’s all in here.  Brancott have been doing interesting things with sauvignon gris (a singular grape variety, not a blend of sauvignon blanc and pinot gris) recently and the results get better every … Read More

Gladstone Estate 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012

10 January 2013By Yvonne

Gladstone Vineyard 12,000 miles Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $19 ★★★½ A superb sauvignon showing peach fuzz, passionfruit and citrus aromas that lead to punchy, cheek-sucking acidity, blackcurrant leaf, pineapple and herbaceous flavours and an intense, lime-laden finish.  I’d love to taste this again in 12 months time when it’s had a chance to soften slightly.  … Read More

Isabel Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012

10 January 2013By Yvonne

Isabel Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris 2012 $22 ★★★★ This is one of my new favourite pinot gris styles because I love the juicy, marmalade, peach and quince flavours and the rich, deeply textural mouthfeel.  It hits that balance between mid-palate generosity and dryness, cleansing crispness and long, luxurious length of flavour.  www.glengarry.co.nz

Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009

10 January 2013By Yvonne

Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009 $72 ★★★★★ Absolutely gorgeous fresh berry aromatics combined with musky, perfumed, pot-pourri and rhubarb crumble characters in the mouth.  I love the luscious raspberry, 5-spice and cherry cola succulence.  It’s pricey, and higher in alcohol (14.5%) than most, but it’s sensational nonetheless.  www.finewinedelivery.co.nz

Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012

10 January 2013By Yvonne

Haha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $16 ★★★★★ Wow!  This is intense, concentrated stuff.  Each glass is packed with passionfruit, lime and blackcurrant leaf loveliness on the nose and palate.  Punchy and pungent, with a glorious, gum-tingling texture – it’s darn flash and should definitely be in your fridge this summer.  www.hahawine.com

SPEND MORE ON YOUR SANITY

10 January 2013By Yvonne

“Oh that’s such a cruisy job – wanna swap?” is something I hear regularly when I meet someone new and they find out what I do for a living.  They must think it’s all just wine tasting day in day out, making a telly show and going to the occasional flash party.  They don’t see … Read More

Positive Chi For Your Tastebuds

4 January 2013By Yvonne

One thing I’ve learned is to never drink wine whilst watching Embarrassing Bodies followed by Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.  There’s nothing like an unsightly pus-filled lump followed by another, well, slightly worse tempered, foul mouthed, pus-filled lump to put my palate up the Khyber.  For me, environment is everything. I’m no frilly hippy and I’m no … Read More