Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2016 $19.66

21 October 2017By Yvonne

The soft, spicy apple and lime aromas of this beautifully bone-dry riesling really appeal.  Immediately zesty and gum-tingling on the palate, boatloads of mandarin, lemon, and grapefruity goodness abound on the finish. Sip with: parsley and panko crusted fish fillets. www.tohuwines.co.nz  

Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat Oct 21 2017

21 October 2017By Yvonne

Labour Weekend.  That means it’s time for your annual momentary lapse of riesling… Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Riesling 2016 $19.66 The soft, spicy apple and lime aromas of this beautifully bone-dry riesling really appeal.  Immediately zesty and gum-tingling on the palate, boatloads of mandarin, lemon, and grapefruity goodness abound on the finish. Sip with: parsley … Read More

Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $14.99 (4 stars)

14 October 2017By Yvonne

Sourced from Tohu’s Awatere Valley vineyard, this bright young thing goes large on the lemon verbena, lime leaf, red capsicum and crunchy citrus characters.  Bursting with sweet, cut-grass and fresh herbs, this is a terrifically textural, perfectly perky sauvignon blanc. www.glengarrywines.co.nz  

Amisfield Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $25 (4 stars)

14 October 2017By Yvonne

Most people don’t realise that some of New Zealands best sauvignon blanc can be found the further south you go.  Dr Stephanie Lambert and her team at Amisfield, near Lake Hayes have created a classic example oozing green bean, green capsicum, green herbs, sweet pea and serious amounts of citrus.  Full, fat and firing on … Read More

Mud House Rapaura Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $19.99 (4.5 stars)

14 October 2017By Yvonne

Wow!  The second you pour this wine, people on the other side of the room will start sniffing the air and rising like the undead to follow where the scent is coming from.  Powerful passionfruit, lemongrass, lime juice and bruised basil characters abound on the nose and palate, stitched together by solid acidity and extend … Read More

Taylors St Andrews Clare Valley Chardonnay 2014 $44.99 (5 stars)

14 October 2017By Yvonne

The Clare Valley in South Australia is considered a cool-climate area and that’s why the folks at Taylors were quick to snap up the historic St Andrews vineyard and revitalised the old chardonnay vines. Luscious grapefruit and poached apricot add to its peachy complexity. Succulent and even a teensy bit spicy with a slick of … Read More

Cicada Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015 $25 (4 stars)

14 October 2017By Yvonne

Crafted by Kevin Courtney and his team at Riverby Estate in Marlborough, this is a hot blooded, power gewürztraminer.  There’s nothing blousy here, just a magic melange of lychee, ginger, grain spirit and a flinty, dry-as-dry texture. If you’ve been hesitant to venture back to gewürztraminer because of sickly sweet memories from decades ago then … Read More

Bodegas Olivares Dulce Monastrell 2013 500ml $63

14 October 2017By Yvonne

Looking for the ultimate sweet red wine?  Deep in the heart of Jumilla in Spain grows a patch of ancient, ungrafted, monastrell vines owned by Bodegas Olivares.  The bunches are left on the vine long into the autumn to naturally begin to raisin.  This concentrates the blackcurrant intensity and spicy, caramelized characters, resulting in a … Read More

Neudorf Tom’s Block Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 $33

14 October 2017By Yvonne

Opting to preserve every smidge of natural purity of flavour that viticulturist Richard Flatman has managed to coax into the pinot noir from Tom’s Block, winemaker Todd Stevens has bottled this wine without fining or filtration.  It’s paid off in that it’s bursting with black tea, wild raspberry and cherry layers that wrap around zesty … Read More