Heaving with black tea, soused cherries, tamarillo and truffle, this is a flavour-laden, silky-textured and seductive southern star. Beautifully juicy and edged with allspice, it’s a generously proportioned yet totally sophisticated performer; Adele in a bottle if you will. Sip with: pork and plum casserole. www.bannockbrae.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Charles Smith Boom Boom Washington State Syrah 2015 $23.74
Made in mighty Mattawa city, Washington, this is a syrah that’ll definitely appeal to those who love a hefty lick of liquorice in their reds. Loaded with buckets of spice which cuddles up to dark berries and soft cocoa notes. Explosive? I’d say it’s more touchy-feely, but darn tasty nonetheless. Sip with: Allyson Gofton’s Winemakers … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for week beginning Sat 27 Jan 2018
I’ve made a horrifying discovery in recent months. Actually it’s more like I’m making a horrifying admission. To set the scene I’ll admit that I’m still old-school in that I write most of my wine tasting notes by hand, in a notebook. Then I type them up and post them on my website or pop … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 $22 (3.5 stars)
Using a parcel of fruit they’ve sourced from Hawke’s Bay, these skilled, Wairarapa-based producers have created a wine bursting with classic grilled grapefruit and lemony, smoked pineapple flavours. It’s toasty and roasty and yet really fresh, plus it has a solid citrus backbone and a nutty core. I think it’s a winner with chicken schnitzel … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Col Jan 20 2018
Who says you need a special occasion to drink fine fizz? You’re alive and that’s reason enough… R.H Coutier A Ambonnay Grand Cru Champagne NV $75 The Coutier family has been in Ambonnay since 1619. 1619! So they know a thing or three about growing great grapes. This champagne is such a pretty wine in … Read More
R.H Coutier A Ambonnay Grand Cru Champagne NV $75
The Coutier family has been in Ambonnay since 1619. 1619! So they know a thing or three about growing great grapes. This champagne is such a pretty wine in the glass, with tiny, delicate beads of bubbles, this fizz boasts caramel and fresh-baked breakfast bun and hints of walnut on the nose and soft, nutty, … Read More
Champagne Jean Josselin Audace Rosé NV $57
This deliciously dry, melon and raspberry-licked lovely is an exercise in elegance combined with fulsome generosity. A delicate line of cherry zips through the mid-palate and merges with creamy, cashew and yeasty complexity combined with berry brioche bodaciousness. It’s an extremely sexy champagne indeed. Sip with: Oysters Charantaise www.threefrenchvines.co.nz
Peregrine Central Otago Methode Traditionnelle NV $50
Frustratingly small amounts are made of this blissfully good blend of 58% pinot noir and 42% chardonnay, but it’s one that any lover of fine fizz should seek out immediately. Crafted by Nadine Cross, it boasts soft, lemon shortbread and rising dough aromas, finely tuned acidity and a rich, creamy, textural finish. Sip with: a … Read More
Paritua Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $42 (5 stars)
Winemaker Jason Stent 2014 vintage of this Bridge Pa-grown beauty is elegant, creamy, peach-and macadamia-crumble of a wine. Chock full of classic stonefruit and pineapple notes on the nose and palate, it’s refreshing, soulful and seriously satisfying, I absolutely love it. www.paritua.com
Waimea Nelson Gewurztraminer 2016 $23 (4 stars)
Winemaker Hamish Kempthorne has crammed a cruise-ship sized chunk of creamy florals, luscious lychee, peach and ginger-dusted, musky notes into this bottle. Waimea produce crisp, satisfying, richly flavoured aromatic whites that, if I had my way, would be less of a secret and more of a ‘mustsip’. Try this with your next Thai green chicken … Read More