The Home Vineyard sits 6 kilometres north east of the Waipara Junction, in the Omihi sub-district of North Canterbury’s Waipara Valley. The un-grafted, Mendoza-clone chardonnay vines this wine was made from were planted in 1994 and since 2010 have been grown using organic and biodynamic practices, resulting in a wine oozing grilled citrus, layers of … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Guido In Velvet Pants Huapai Montepulciano 2014 $26.60 (4.5 stars)
Dubbed ‘Guido’ after winemaker Simon Nunn’s work mate and super-cute Italian greyhound, whereas the ‘velvet pants’ bit has something to do with Carmelite nuns likening this smooth, ‘westie’ version of the famous Italian variety to a slippery son of God if you believe the rumours. With its intense berries, spice, liquorice layers and fuzzy, warming, … Read More
Pukeora Estate Ruahine Range Pinot Gris 2015/2016 $21 (4 stars)
It’s a rare thing to see these days, blending two vintages of a still wine together (multi-vintage blending is common in sparklings), yet winemaker Max Annabell has made this work. A tiny pinot gris harvest in 2015 meant the wine was kept aside and when an equally tiny (but delicious) vintage followed in 2016, he … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Jan 13 2018
Last week I received an email from a reader that had interesting points. It also had lots of exclamation marks and angry capital letters. Subject: Jules Taylor Sav Just read your review of this wine having tried it last night. I really enjoyed it and was seriously impressed by it. I thought it was fresh, … Read More
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2015 $22.70 (4 stars)
Fans of softly structured, fleshy, fabulous merlot-dominated reds can kick off their shoes, flick on the telly and pour a glass of this and be confident that it’ll deliver in every respect. Dark red fruits, peppery, cocoa and dried herb characters, deliciously dusty tannins and a long, fresh finish make this a must sip with … Read More
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2016 $25 (4 stars)
This is literally the only grenache being produced in New Zealand, so best you get amongst it before its all gone! Crafted from 16-year-old vines growing in the company’s Ngakirikiri Vineyard, it’s a heaving monster of a wine, rammed with floral intensity and spiced berry and cherry flavours. The alcohol is 14.5% and its heat … Read More
Sileni Estates Pacemaker Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2014 $40 (4 stars)
Prepare for a bevvy of blossoms, boisterous berry fruit and buckets of dried herbs and spices on the nose and palate of this intense cabernet franc. Bay leaf, liquorice, black tea and sou bois lushness are all jostling for attention in the glass so sit back and enjoy the battle. If this is your pacemaker … Read More
Stone Paddock Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $25 (3.5 stars)
With its attractive aromas of baked lemon cheesecake, creamy almonds and white peach, this is a delicate, focused chardonnay with a fine line of clean acidity and a long quartzy, citrussy finish. Get set for a zesty-fresh, Bridge Pa-grown glass of goodness as soon as you uncap this wine. Terrific with creamy smoked chicken and … Read More
Ash Ridge Doppio MS & Chave Bridge Pa Syrah 2014 $150 (twin pack)
I’ve never featured two wines in the same review before, but it’s the only way to tackle these bottles of salubrious syrah from Bridge Pa, in what I think is a first for New Zealand. Dubbed ‘Doppio’ after the Italian word for ‘double’, Ash Ridge have opted to keep their two clones of syrah separate … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 20 Jan 2018
Take it to the Bridge… When I was really little we had cousins, who had grandparents who lived in Bridge Pa, a tiny (and I mean tiny), sleepy, little settlement just a few minutes southwest of Hastings. I remember going to stay with them at the grandparents’ house sometimes. It was a house where every … Read More