Ostler Lakeside Vines Waitaki Valley Pinot Gris 2017 $29.99 (4.5 stars)

9 July 2018By Yvonne

Jeff Sinnott is the winemaker at Ostler, and together with his brother-in-law Jim Jerram, they’ve snaffled fruit from Jeff’s father Paul Sinnot’s vineyard on the banks of Lake Waitaki to create a luscious, quince and apple-saturated gris that zings with freshness and roars with life. The vineyard sits on land once named ‘Lemon Springs.’ Lemon … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat July 7 2018

9 July 2018By Yvonne

Back in 2015 when I was filming my tv show Thirsty Work, we shot a story on New Zealand’s Poutama Cuisine Cluster, a collective of 30 award-winning food and beverage producers. What made them unique was that all the producers were Maori owned and operated. Amongst them they could cater for everything you could possibly … Read More

Earthkeepers Waitaki Otiake Blend #1 2016 $29

9 July 2018By Yvonne

Grant Taylor, one of my favourite winemakers has turned his hand to crafting this bracing, tangy, citrus and spice-fuelled blend of pinot gris, riesling and gewurztraminer – and it’s just sensational. From one of the harshest winegrowing regions in NZ comes this dynamite, zesty, threesome, boasting a chalky-dry texture and a green apple finish. It’s … Read More

Moutere Hills Nelson ‘Chendoza’ Chenin Blanc 2015 $34

9 July 2018By Yvonne

While it says ‘chenin blanc’ on the front label, this is actually a curious blend of chenin blanc and Mendoza-clone chardonnay, grown on the Moutere clay gravels of Rusty Rayne and Lisa Goodson’s Nelson vineyard. Toasty, apple-pie aromas merge with roast peach, almond meal and rich, grilled-grapefruit characters come from 11 months maturation in French … Read More

Rock Ferry Orchard Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris Pinot Blanc 2016

8 July 2018By Yvonne

Rock Ferry Orchard Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris Pinot Blanc 2016 $39 Here’s a certified organic blend of 75% pinot gris from Rock Ferry’s Winery Block & 25% pinot blanc from their Plum Tree Block, co-fermented on their skins with indigenous yeasts. After 30 days on skins, the wine was drained and pressed to 1 oak … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin canvas column for July 7th 2018

8 July 2018By Yvonne

Blended Families Pure breeds? Yeah nah. Sometimes a bit of mongrel is exactly what we need in a wine… Rockferry Orchard Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris Pinot Blanc 2016 $39 Here’s a certified organic blend of 75% pinot gris from Rockferry’s Winery Block & 25% pinot blanc from their Plum Tree Block, co-fermented on their skins … Read More

Milcrest Estate Nelson Syrah 2014 $40

5 July 2018By Yvonne

Milcrest Estate Nelson Syrah 2014 $40 Give that glass a good swirl to inject a whoomph (technical term there) of oxygen and warmth into the wine to release the bright boysenberry, intense florals, peppercorn and tobacco characters.  The acidity is juicy-fresh and feisty, the tannins are prickly and chewy and there’s a squeak of smoke … Read More

French Peak Banks Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016

4 July 2018By Yvonne

French Peak Banks Peninsula Pinot Noir 2016 $30  Beautifully aromatic, floral and perfumed with exotic spices and hints of wild game, cherry cola, juicy redcurrant and even has that flavour of those red, loveheart lollies that you buy in a classic pick n mix selection. Super-complex and ready to rumble! www.frenchpeakwines.com  

French Peak Canterbury Pinot Gris 2017

4 July 2018By Yvonne

French Peak Canterbury Pinot Gris 2017 $30 Golden in the glass and powdery complexity and quincey characters, fresh apple and intensely dry.  Edged with white pepper and minerally, licking wet stones texture to it.  Bracing and bouncy, but seriously dry – so it’ll appeal to those who like wines that rip across the gums and … Read More