Oh wow! This is the kind of sauvignon blanc that gives me goosebumps. Absolutely heaving with herbaceous, lemongrassy lusciousness, passionfruit and sweaty, grassy goodness. Ripe, rich and rocking the lemonade and lime notes in every sip. Sourced from fruit grown in the confluence of the Wairau and Waihopai Rivers in Marlborough, it’s lifted and lovely … Read More
Author: Yvonne
My notes on Obsidian Waiheke Island new releases…
Obsidian Reserve Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2017 $48 The stylish, chablis-like elegance of this wine makes it a showstopper for me. I love the purity of fruit, intense citrus, and minerality on the mid-palate, peachy backbone and the dusting of subtle nutty notes on the finish. It’s a beautifully balanced example and I’m officially obsessed with … Read More
J. Riehl Vin D’Alsace Riesling 2015 $19.99 (3.5 stars)
Classic Germanic riesling style here, with loads of green apple and manuka honey notes, a layer of herbaceousness and white pepper and a long, tangy finish. It’s a great introduction to Alsatian riesling that’s on the crisp, dry scale of the spectrum and it’s a good choice to sip with chickpea and paneer korma. www.winedirect.co.nz
Supper Club Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $22.99 (3.5 stars)
If you’re looking for a lightly-styled, lush, plush pinot noir that’s sewn together with spice, and rosehip tea, then this may be for you. It’s slippery and soft, with an earthy undertone and decent length of flavour and if you’re magicking up some creamy mushroom pasta then here’s your match. For stockists near you phone … Read More
Young Estate Bettie Bubbles Methode Traditionelle NV $34 (3.5 stars)
Hayley Young is the talent behind this golden, Gisborne-grown fizz which has had a couple of years to develop in the bottle. Subtle aromas of crushed cashews and rising dough surrender to soft citrus and caramelized characters which follow through on the palate. It’s a lightly-styled sparkles that has notes of baked apple on the … Read More
Te Hera Reserve Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $42 (5 stars)
Prepare for a spice overload in this certified organic example from the lovely John Douglas at Te Hera. I say ‘lovely’ because he is quite possibly the smiliest man in all the Wairarapa. What he’s able to produce from his tiny Te Muna Terraces site is year-after-year is reliably delicious, like he’s some sort of … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 21 April 2018
I remember a decade ago watching a programme called ‘Full-On Food’ on Food TV. It was hosted by a flame-haired foodie of Australian extraction by the name of Roxy Beaujolais. She’d come from running the front desk at Ronnie Scotts, to cooking and then becoming the landlady of a spectacular pub called the Seven Stars … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas column for Sat 14 April 2018
There’s a reason why wine is needed this week. My teenage daughter is learning to drive. In my car. With me. It’s been emotional. Dominio de Heredia Rioja DOC 2015 $19.90 Super-smooth and masculine, like sniffing George Clooney after a wet shave, it’s all tobacco, man-sweat, saddle leather and desert dust. Wait. What was I … Read More
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2016 $25.90
At least once a week I must have Thai food and when I do, I must have a crisp glass of gewürztraminer to soothe its passage. I thought the 2014 vintage was unstoppable then the 2016 came along and wow! This musky-spiced style from Chris and Judy Simmonds block on Dog Point Road is a … Read More
Champagne Joseph Desruets Brut Special Cuvée Les Prémices NV $150
I LOVE learning about new champagne houses and Desruets is my new favourite. A 60/40 blend of pinot noir and chardonnay, it’s so incredibly fresh, pillowy and pure. I love the lacy citrus, cashew, bagel dough and shortbread characters on the palate, its harmonious texture, impeccable balance and lift – it’s an absolute aristocrat of … Read More