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

Taiao Estate Reserve Late Harvest Semillon Viognier 2015 $ tbc

3 July 2018By Yvonne

Taiao Estate Reserve Late Harvest Semillon Viognier 2015 Prepare for a burst of caramelised mandarin, honey, beeswax, fresh citrus and tangy tangerine notes.  A whiff of toffee and white pepper and marmalade.  Luxurious and yet tangy and refreshing – it’s a sign of what’s to come from this brand new, Bridge Pa-based producer.  Exciting times! … Read More

Urlar ‘The Mediator’ Gladstone Pinot Noir 2016 $32.50 (4 stars)

2 July 2018By Yvonne

I love that the back label of this wine says to ‘put away until the cosmos tells you to enjoy it’ although I think it’s one to definitely be enjoyed now. Produced organically and biodynamically by Angus Thomson and their talented team, this is a bright-as-a-button pinot noir, bursting with cherry, raspberry and rosehip tea … Read More

Escarpment ‘Noir’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017 $30 (3 stars)

2 July 2018By Yvonne

This is Larry McKenna’s (or Larry McPinot as he’s affectionately known) first foray into organic, minimal intervention, ‘natural’ winemaking and its, it’s ok. Unfined, unfiltered and minus any additions like sulphur (to prevent premature oxidation), this wine was fermented in a clay amphorae and left on its skins for around 9 months before being pressed … Read More

Brodie Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2011 $27.50 (4 stars)

2 July 2018By Yvonne

Seven years on from vintage and this wine is at peak. The great thing is that it’s beautifully made and at under $30 is a bargain. Seriously juicy and woven through with wild strawberry, cherry and hints of pepper, it’s also got black tea and cranberry characters which lead to a long, tangy, spicy finish. … Read More