Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $36

25 February 2018By Yvonne

There’s some serious floral intensity going on in this succulent syrah, it’s like florals pashing peppercorns boysenberries, cherries and liquorice. Philip Barber is the winemaking talent behind this inky-purple, Esk Valley-based brand and he’s a fan of elegance and soft, peppery persistence of flavour in his syrah – and so am I. Sip with: sizzling … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column Feb 24 2018

25 February 2018By Yvonne

Never seen the word ‘pashing’ in a wine review? Oh it’ll happen. Sooner rather than later… Hopes Grove Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $45 If you’re looking for a violet and bay leaf fest on the nose then you’ve come to the right place. Grown in the limestone-laden soils of Hawke’s Bay’s lesser-known sub-region of … Read More

Loveblock Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014 $21.99 (4.5 stars)

25 February 2018By Yvonne

I love the burst of lychee and honeysuckle and sweet citrus you get as soon as you drop your nose into the glass. Crafted by Kim and Erica Crawford from fruit grown with buckets of love in the middle of the Awatere Valley, this certified organic wine is absolutely heaving with luscious stonefruit and magical, … Read More

Alpha Domus Aviatrix Sparkling Cuvée NV $20 (4 stars)

25 February 2018By Yvonne

I first tasted this deliciously unusual, sparkling semillon outdoors on the Alpha Domus lawn, on a scorchingly hot Saturday during the Bridge Pa Triangle Wine Festival. The brainchild of owner Paul Ham’s daughter Beatrix, I was wowed by the aromas of barleygrass, dried lucerne, citrus and biscuit dough. On the palate it is bracingly fresh, … Read More

Elephant In the Room Palatial Pinot Noir 2017 $17.99 (3.5 stars)

24 February 2018By Yvonne

Crafted from fruit sourced from South Australia, this is a slippery, spicy and seriously succulent little pinot noir with buckets of berry notes that literally leap up the nasal passages and leaves masses of cherry and truffle flavours plunging across the palate. Sweetly-styled and slippery. Widely available.

Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 24th Feb 2018

24 February 2018By Yvonne

As I type this column, the ferocity of Ex-Cyclone Gita is about bearing down on Marlborough, the engine room of our wine economy. In fact Marlborough grows the fuel which drives our industry, turning out 77% of New Zealand’s total wine production. Yet across New Zealand, tropical cyclones seem to have become all the more … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for week beginning Sat Feb 3 2018

22 February 2018By Yvonne

Cast your minds back if you will to the mid 1980s. Apple Computers released the first Macintosh, John McEnroe was tantrumming his butt off on the tennis court, Michael Jackson did a commercial for Pepsi and his hair caught fire, thought-provoking tunes such as Wake Me Up Before You Go Go were rocketing up the … Read More

Askerne Hawke’s Bay Dessert Cabernet 2015 $22.90 375ml (3.5 stars)

22 February 2018By Yvonne

Made from 100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes grown in the sandy soils of their lower terrace, and fortified to 16.5%alc, this is a whopper of a wine. Scented with blackberry, bay leaf, pepper and dark cocoa, then chock full of spice and sweet, dried herb and nutty notes on the palate, it’s a wine with grip … Read More

Palliser Estate Martinborough Noble Riesling 2016 $29 375ml (4.5 stars)

22 February 2018By Yvonne

I was completely seduced by the sexy, orange-gold liquid that slinks into the glass, so to then be met by gorgeous, citrus-toffee notes, caramelized stonefruit and peach compote characters – just sent me into swoon territory. Fresh, zesty acidity perks up a hefty 70g/l of natural residual sugar and makes this a beautifully balanced sweet … Read More