Classic punchy passionfruit, crushed herbs, green capsicum and pea pod flavours are all crammed into this bottle alongside gum-numbing acidity and long, prickly-fresh length of flavour. A squeak of white pepper and a lick of lemongrass makes this a good little ‘after work’ quaffer. www.vineonline
Author: Yvonne
Framingham Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $21 (4 stars)
Tangy and seriously grassy, this sauvignon has buckets of basil, tomato leaf and capsicum characters all bouncing out of the glass. Herbaceous and heaving with tangy, lemongrass and lime layers. It’s less sweet and more along the zesty, white fruits spectrum than a lot of Marlborough sauvignon out there. I really like it. www.framingham.co.nz
Beach House Reserve Hawke’s Bay Wild Ferment Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $25 (4 stars)
If the thought of oak in your sauvignon blanc sends you into a spin, don’t fret. Chris Harrison at Hawke’s Bay’s Beach House wines has mastered the art of subtlety, so you get a whiff of freshly-baled hay and toast wrapping itself around white peach, lemongrass and lime loveliness. It’s ultra-long on flavour and a … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday 2nd August 2017
Looking for wines that’ll absolutely slay when the sun comes out? This triple-threat has Spring in its sights… Starborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $18.99 Incredibly juicy and tropical, this is a passionfruit and lime fest if ever I tasted one. But the other thing I love about this wine is that it’s SO textural. Produced … Read More
Graham Norton’s Own “Pink by DesiGN” New Zealand Rosé 2017 $18.99
Here’s a case of ‘norton hemisphere meets southern hemisphere’ where the eponymous Mr Norton has totally embraced the winemaking process AND agreed to pretty much every example of word play possible on the use of his initials. Crafted from pinot noir sourced from around the country, it’s been given just enough time on its skins … Read More
Matt Connell Rendition Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $44
Matt’s one of the region’s most highly awarded winemakers and this is his solo pinot project after tenure at Olssens and Akarua. Produced from fruit grown in Bendigo and Lowburn, it’s bottled with a label designed by Taranaki artist Andrew J Steel, whose depicted Matt’s ‘meaningful things’ (expect dogs, fish, goats, guns etc..) Oozing savoury … Read More
Starborough Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $18.99
Incredibly juicy and tropical, this is a passionfruit and lime fest if ever I tasted one. But the other thing I love about this wine is that it’s SO textural. Produced from two Awatere Valley vineyards (Starborough + Long Lane) and a Wairau site (O’Dwyers Farm) the result of the blend is a super-concentrated, lemongrass … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for week beginning Sat Aug 12 2017
It’s hardly going to rip anyone’s knickers when I say that one man’s nectar may very well be another man’s engine cleaner. The same wine that sends your tastebuds spiralling into something tantric, might very well send your neighbour speeding to the spittoon. Wine is all about personal taste, it’s such an individual thing. When … Read More
Sileni Estates Springstone Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2015 $35 (4 stars)
Here’s a bold, plump pinot noir weighing in at 14.5% alcohol (high for pinot noir), yet its super lithe, succulent and balanced that it maintains elegance and poise despite having broad shoulders. Classic cherry and spice characters wash with a hint of cola and cocoa and leave a long, fleshy finish. Nicely made and classy … Read More
Astrolabe Wrekin Vineyard Late Harvest Chenin Blanc 2013 375ml ($35) (4 stars)
Chenin blanc is a rare thing here in New Zealand in its normal form, so to come across a dessert version sent me straight to my happy place. Baked apples filled with buttery, boozy sultanas, spice and mixed peel all wash across the palate alongside a lick of manuka honey and sweet lime. Delish. www.astrolabewines.co.nz