St Laurent is an ancient grape very closely associated with pinot noir, one sip and you’ll see why. Judge Rock are absolute rock stars in that they’ve taken the signature red grape of Austria and given it a happy home on the sun-scorched slopes of Alexandra. Exotically scented with black tea, red fruits, dried herbs, … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Maison Noire Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2017 $21 (4 stars)
It’s a rare thing in NZ to find rosé made from 100% cabernet franc and this one is a real cracker. Pretty, trout-pink in the glass, it bursts with raspberry marshmallow, watermelon and hints of cherry on the nose. There’s even a touch of creaming soda and tamarillo in there too. Fresh, succulent, saucy and … Read More
Astrolabe Wrekin Vineyard Marlborough Chenin Blanc 2015 $25 (4.5 stars)
Simon Waghorn and his wife Jane Forrest-Waghorn set up Astrolabe in Marlborough back in 1996 after years of making wine in Australia and Gisborne. I love that they’ve taken a leap and planted chenin blanc because it produces an apple and honeysuckle-scented dry white wine that’s rarely seen in NZ. Zesty, fresh and feisty, it’s … Read More
Tinpot Hut Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $22 (4.5 stars)
Tinpot Hut’s owner and winemaker Fiona Turner began developing her vineyard in the Awatere Valley with husband Hamish back in 2005. At 12 years old, the vines are maturing nicely. Named after the historic landmark frequented by local high country, Marlborough musterers, this super-sippable wine has won more awards than you can sling a screwcap … Read More
Smoking Loon California Merlot 2014 $21.90 (4 stars)
The glittery cap immediately appeals to my wannabe glamazon, while the intricate silver, cigar-smoking loon bird motif is semi-hypnotic. On the nose it’s incredibly fruity, chocka with raspberry, red plum and ultra-easy spices, sweet fruit and chocolate. If you’re still reeling from Miles’ rant in the movie ‘Sideways’ where he announces “I’m leaving. I am … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat Feb 17
Wondering what to sip with all that Valentine’s Day chocolate you got last week? I absolutely adore a good, Aussie, sparkling Shiraz with anything remotely chocolatey. It’s a rich, robustly spicy, fizzy red wine; and while that may sound sickening to some, believe me when I’ve spent a hot, dusty day in the outback fending … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday 17th Feb 2018
Trigger an Italian stallion stampede with these exotic examples… Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Basilicata IGP Greco Fiano 2016 $20.21 Here’s a 60:40 blend of greco (gree-ko) and fiano (fee-ah-no) grapes from Acerenza in the Basilicata region of Italy. The greco is responsible for the lime and herbaceous layers while fiano adds white florals, white peach, … Read More
Vigneti del Vulture Pipoli Basilicata IGP Greco Fiano 2016 $20.21
Here’s a 60:40 blend of greco (gree-ko) and fiano (fee-ah-no) grapes from Acerenza in the Basilicata region of Italy. The greco is responsible for the lime and herbaceous layers while fiano adds white florals, white peach, yellow plum, and hints of white pepper. There are even beautiful guava and peachy layers that extend the ripe, … Read More
Montesole Vigna Vinieri Taurasi DOCG 2008 $48
Located on the volcanic hills bordering two Campania regions of Irpinnio and Sannio, the Montesole winery have created a Taurasi (made from 100% aglianico grapes) that’s deeply spicy and saturated with black guava, cherry, boysenberry characters and shows strong, stretchy, dusty tannins. It’s common for these wines to wait decades to be opened, so we’ve … Read More
Grati Chianti Riserva Rufina DOCG 2012 $26.60
With 90% sangiovese at play in this Tuscan treasure, it was always a given that it’d boast lashings of leathery loveliness on both the nose and palate. Boosted by regional natives canaiolo nero and colorino, this Chianti is interwoven with notes of cherry and black guava, then boasts muscular tannins and an ultra-long finish. Definitely … Read More