Famille Hugel Classic Pinot Gris 2015 $41 (4 stars)

6 November 2017By Yvonne

The immediate punch-in-the-face of pear, green apple, quince paste in this brand new release of an Alsace icon will be something you’ll relish.  Luscious and exotically spicy, with honeysuckle, fabulous fruit weight and delicious drive across the palate.  100% pinot gris grown in the Riquewihr district has produced a lovely example, which may have tiny … Read More

Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $70 (4.5 stars)

6 November 2017By Yvonne

The thing that I love about Riflemans chardonnay is that it doesn’t follow any model, any recipe.  It’s simply the absolute best example that Sacred Hill can possibly produce, from the fruit sourced from the tiny, heritage, own-rooted Mendoza block high up on the chalky terraces of the Dartmoor Valley.  Clean, precise grapefruit pith layers … Read More

Anthony Joseph Vidal 1888 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $120 (5 stars)

6 November 2017By Yvonne

The rumours were out that winemaker Hugh Crichton was planning to release something epic in the Vidal chardonnay stakes, and lordy, they were right.  From the most glorious chardonnay vintage Hawke’s Bay has seen in a stretch, comes a formidably gorgeous wine scented with popcorn, gunflint and grilled grapefruit and offering gracefully ripe, roasted stonefruit, … Read More

Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat Nov 4 2017

6 November 2017By Yvonne

Almost on the daily I’m asked about whether I think chardonnay is making a comeback.  To which I usually snort, roll my eyes and spit “Comeback?  Comeback?  It never went away!”  However that’s because I’m irrationally defensive about chardonnay, I love it so much. The versions of chardonnay that are on trend at any given … Read More

Mud House Woolshed Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $22

6 November 2017By Yvonne

Mud House’s winemaker Cleighten Cornelius is obsessed with the fruit from their Woolshed vineyard, one sip of this and you’ll see why.  Planted 15 years ago in the Southern Valleys by Nev Gane (great name), the resulting sauvignon is packed with punchy passionfruit and lime, boasts a deliciously fleshy texture and bursts with buckets of … Read More

Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $32

6 November 2017By Yvonne

Lucky Aucklanders can sip this snazzy new release at the Cloudy Bay ‘Sail Away’ pop-up dining experience at Prego during November.  Everyone else will have to trust me when I say that the CB crew have injected zesty herbaceousness, plucky passionfruit and citrus friskiness into this iconic sauvignon blanc.  Lime, basil and a squeak of … Read More

Dog Point Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $27

6 November 2017By Yvonne

Not a fan of masses of squinty acidity in your sauvignon?  Then fret no longer, this will keep you safe and sound.  Mellow in the mid palate, edged with soft passionfruit, lemongrass and limey notes, it’s got summer florals on the nose and a feisty finish. Sip with: Pea, mint and feta fritters. www.dogpoint.co.nz  

Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column November 4 2017

6 November 2017By Yvonne

“Sav me from myself” is a phrase I tend to utter repeatedly as the days stretch and the stress soaks in… Dog Point Vineyard Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $27 Not a fan of masses of squinty acidity in your sauvignon?  Then fret no longer, this will keep you safe and sound.  Mellow in the mid … Read More

Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2015 $40 (4.5 stars)

31 October 2017By Yvonne

Absolutely rocketing out of the gate from a standing start comes this shiny new chardonnay from one of Hawke’s Bay’s elite producers. Declaration wines are only produced in exceptional vintages and the 2014 won a trophy at the largest wine show in the world the 2017 IWSC and the 2015 will do great things too. … Read More