In 2008 Sam Sparro released the banger ‘Black & Gold’. But these three wines rock those colours every year in spectacular fashion… Pukeora Estate Ruahine Range ‘The Benches’ 2013 $28 From what was heralded as the ‘vintage of the century’ comes this powerfully built blend of merlot, malbec, syrah and cabernet sauvignon from the limestone-laden … Read More
Author: Yvonne
van Asch Pyro Central Otago Syrah 2009 $40 (3.5 stars)
Nine years on from harvest and this wine is a freak of nature for two reasons. The first being that it’s syrah grown in one of the southernmost winegrowing regions in the world (highly unusual) and when a fire ripped through the winery not long after vintage, just a couple of barrels of syrah were … Read More
Tahbilk One Million Cuttings South Australian Chardonnay 2016 $18 (3 stars)
This is a new brand to hit our shores from one of Australia’s iconic brands. If you’re looking for a tangy, lemony, grapefruity chardonnay with creamy, nutty and soft melon and guava flavours, then this will fit. It’s a touch broad, but fruity enough to give you a tropical kick for everyday quaffing. www.wineandmore.co.nz
Delibori Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2016 $19.95 (4 stars)
Pinot gris Italian-style, is what we’ve got here and dang is it delicious! Delicate, fresh and frisky, it bursts with apple, lemon and fresh-cut pear notes combined with a hint of seabreeze and crushed shells on the finish. Mineral and white pepper characters make this a winner with seasoned sardines on toast. www.stvincentscave.com
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column July 21 2018
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column July 21 2018 If the words ‘crazy whites’ conjures up Trumpy connotations, quickly rejig the phrase to ‘crazy good whites’ and you’ll calmly enter the world of this weeks’ wines… Obsidian Reserve Waiheke Island Viognier 2015 $48 I first sipped this wine while listening to the album Raising Sand, by Robert … Read More
Maui Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $14.99 (3.5 stars)
Crafted by the team at Tiki Wines, this tight, slender, delicately dry pinot gris has subtle white peach, apple, yellow plum and white pepper aromas. Flavour-wise, expect a flash of dried herbs, a hint of honeysuckle and peach, followed by racy acidity and a round, powdery, textural finish. A good quaffer if you err on … Read More
Ostler Lakeside Vines Waitaki Valley Pinot Gris 2017 $29.99 (4.5 stars)
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
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
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
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