Georgetown Vineyard Cental Otago Pinot Rosé 2017 $29 (5 stars)

February 15, 2018By Yvonne

Georgetown Vineyard Cental Otago Pinot Rosé 2017 $29 (5 stars) Wow! This wine is absolutely heaving with wild strawberries, creaming soda and watermelon-like wonder. So fresh and racy, yet showing incredible depth of flavour, it’s a stunner. Produced from a single vineyard at the eastern end of the Kawarau Gorge, this wine is elegant yet … Read More

Brennan Central Otago Chardonnay 2014 $33 (4 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

The whack of super-ultra-fresh acidity in this wine makes you think it could have been made yesterday! Bright nectarine and grapefruit notes on the nose lead to a creamy, biscuity mouthfeel and zesty length of flavour. It’s a medium weight chardonnay that’ll get the party started. www.brennanwines.com

Lime Rock Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2014 $24 (4 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Go for a hoon around Rosie Butler and Rodger Tynan’s vineyard located just outside of the tiny township of Tikokino (about 20 mins from Takapau and 10 mins from Onga Onga) and you’ll see incredible lumps of limestone rock puncturing the ridgelines. It’s this fossil-rich soil which gives this gris its classically crisp, cleansing, mineral-like … Read More

Stanley Estates Block 8 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 ($28) (4.5 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Such a deliciously earthy undercurrent sweeps across the nose and palate of this wine. Gold medal winner at last years Japan Wine Challenge, the Block 8 is a taut, tamarillo-laden lovely that’s edged with spice, wild fruits, bold acidity and chewy tannins – this Awatere Valley-grown pinot noir is definitely one to watch. Actually don’t … Read More

River-T Estate Waitaki Pinot Gris 2017 $22 (4.5 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

It’s got to be the limestone-laced, river gravels that these vines grow in that makes the wine so bouncy-fresh in the mouth. Think tangy nectarine, quince and nashi notes combining with speed-racer acidity and a lengthy, fruit-soaked finish. Cleansing and crunchy – I love it! www.rivertestate.co.nz

Moutere Hills Nelson Pinot Gris 2016 $23 (4 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Nelson is known around the globe as a force to be reckoned with when it comes to turning out aromatic whites erupting with eye-poppingly pure, clean floral notes and crisp, stonefruit and apple characters. Produced by Rusty Rayne and Lisa Goodson, this pinot gris hits that zingy, spicy spot that sneaks through the dry, pear … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 10th Feb

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

A couple of mornings ago I got out of bed at sparrows to catch a 6am flight. I had a quick rinse under the shower, threw some clothes on by the light of my cellphone torch so as not to disturb the slumbering husband and then I tore through my makeup and hair at warp … Read More

Corofin Settlement Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $49.90 (5 star)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

With its ever-so-pale pink label of this Omaka Valley-grown pinot, you’d imagine it might be a lightweight, yet it’s as deeply complex and beguiling as a forbidden love. Un-fined and un-filtered, it boasts soft cherry and hedgerow fruits and smells like you’ve walked into a Chinese apothecary. Exotic, earthy and incredibly succulent to sip. Sip … Read More

Brookfields Indulgence Hawke’s Bay Botrytis Viognier 2016 $25 (5 stars)

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Viognier (vee-yon-yay) made into a dessert wine is rare occurrence, yet Peter Robertson at Brookfields is the master and commander of the style. Scented with jasmine and citrus oils, followed by toffee and marmalade intensity on the nose and palate, caramelized mixed peel flavours and the most luxuriously sweet, tangy finish, I give it 6 … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column Sat 10th February 2018

February 10, 2018By Yvonne

Valentines Day cometh, so get your skates on and woo up a storm with these three love potions… Brookfields Indulgence Hawke’s Bay Botrytis Viognier 2016 $25 (5 star) Viognier (vee-yon-yay) made into a dessert wine is rare occurrence, yet Peter Robertson at Brookfields is the master and commander of the style. Scented with jasmine and … Read More