There’s a group of villages in the Rhone that when joined together look like an arc – and this wine comes from the most famous cru at the southern tip of that arc, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Three grapes, grenache noir, syrah and carignan have created an earthy, savoury, tobacco and dark fruited style that, seven years … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat 11 Aug 2018
Arc du Rhone Chateauneuf-du-Pape 2013 $46 There’s a group of villages in the Rhone that when joined together look like an arc – and this wine comes from the most famous cru at the southern tip of that arc, the Chateauneuf-du-Pape. Three grapes, grenache noir, syrah and carignan have created an earthy, savoury, tobacco and … Read More
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago ‘Shady Lady’ Rosé 2018
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago ‘Shady Lady’ Rosé 2018 $23 While I’m not a fan of the cartoony labels on the Lazy Dog wines, the actual wines inside the bottle are pretty darn stylish. This rosé is shiny new and showing hints of creaming soda, raspberry, a nudge of nougat and some dried herbs … Read More
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago Sweet On Chenin 2018
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago Sweet On Chenin 2018 A blend of late-picked Chenin Blanc and Gewurztraminer by Jeff Sinnott, at 70g/l residual sugar it’s definitely sweet, but it’s tangy fresh and balanced. I like the toffee apple and honey notes that combine with musky spices, lychee and grilled peach flavours on the finish. … Read More
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago Chenin Blanc 2017
The Lazy Dog Queensberry Central Otago Chenin Blanc 2017 $23 Crafted by winemaker Jeff Sinnott from Diana and Dean Harker from chenin blanc vines they’ve been growing since 2008. This is a dry, elegant style, packed to the eyeballs with lime and green apple, a hint (just a skerrick) of honeysuckle and loads and loads … Read More
Matahiwi Holly South Series Chardonnay 2017
Matahiwi Holly South Series Chardonnay 2017 $33 The Holly South Series Chardonnay is from the southern Chardonnay planting in the ‘home’ vineyard at Matahiwi, just outside of Masterton. The vines were planted back in 2013 but it took 3 years before they were ready to produce enough fruit to make into a wine. So this … Read More
Anchorage Nelson Riesling 2015
Anchorage Nelson Riesling 2015 $18 This wine is definitely on the dry side. In fact it’s so dry it’s practically skeletal if you like that sort of thing. I like the lime intensity on the nose, however the palate is just too mean and skinny for me personally. If you prefer your rieslings to exfoliate … Read More
Milcrest Estate Nelson Pinot Noir 2013 $41 (4 stars)
If you’re looking for a ripe, voluptuous, vanilla-and-spice style then you’ve come to the right cul-de-sac. Saturated with concentrated cherry, raspberry and redcurrant characters, the 11 months its spent in oak has given it a slightly smoky edge and buckets of smooth generous goodness in the mouth. Ripe, fleshy and feisty after 5 years, it’s … Read More
Porters Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $45 (4.5 stars)
It’s hard not to fall hard for Martinborough. Such a quaint, pretty little village surrounded by row upon row of vineyards – yet don’t be lulled into thinking there’s anyting quaint about it’s style of pinot noir. It’s all about impression, big impression and that’s what this wine delivers in spades. Made by proprietor John … Read More
Jackson Estate Somerset Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $48 (5 stars)
Whenever the team at Jackson Estate choose to release a Somerset, I get very excited. Having slept quietly in the bottle for the last few years, the 2013 is now ready to rock and it’s a beautiful thing. Sourced from old, gnarly vines growing in unirrigated, clay-stacked soils in the Waihopai Valley, the wine shines … Read More