Oh lordy, what a wine! With its alluring aromas of grilled grapefruit, roast peach, toasted almonds and a hint of smoke, I struggled to peel the glass away from my nose for long enough to actually put any in my gob! Thankfully I persisted, because it’s ultra-fresh, beautifully layered with banging citrus and succulent stonefruit … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Wine Column for Week beginning Sat 29 July 2017
I think anybody can become a great wine taster with training, but some people will always have a very distinct advantage. I’m talking about the people who always stop to sniff the flowers and taste everything put in front of them. Adventurous people who are naturally tuned into their senses, will always find it easier … Read More
Silver Wing Waipara Pinot Noir 2013 $36 (4.5 stars)
Crafted with wild yeasts and as little preservative as possible, this pinot has an earthy, smoky note from being aged in French oak barrels for 19 months, 15% of which were brand new. Chock full of cocoa, red cherry and rhubarb, it’s got real pluck and power behind it, making it a seriously tasty product … Read More
Momo Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $24 (4.5 stars)
Just becaue it’s not bright and glossy-looking, don’t let that stop you from leaping into this gorgeous wine. It’s simply un-fined and unfiltered and made as naturally as you can. Aromatically it heaves with hibiscus rosehip, cherry and cranberry, while on the palate it’s a tsunami of taste. Mixed spices, cocoa, raspberry and silky saturation … Read More
Mahana Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 $39.50 (4.5 stars)
Certified organic and produced biodynamically, this pinot has a cloudy appearance due to it not being filtered or fined therefore it’s filled with flavour, the whole flavour and nothing but the flavour. Soft, elegant, truffle-edged and earthy, I love the baked cherry and raspberry layers – fine-grained tannins and fluttery length. It’s got gravitas for … Read More
Flying Sheep Hawke’s Bay Sangiovese 2013 $35 (4 stars)
Crafted by the clever kids over at Osawa Wines in Hawke’s Bay’s Maraekakaho district, this is a lithe, lovely, local example of an Italian classic, which boasts buckets of red cherry, redcurrant and raspberry, all wrapped up in an earthy, suede-like texture on the finish. Juicy, yet dry and smoky, it’s maturing nicely and just … Read More
Beach House Gimblett Gravels Reserve Merlot 2014 $25
If you’re like me and have moments where you could absolutely murder a glass of merlot, then this little lovely will make all your wildest dreams come true. Plump, plush and packed solid with plum and black forest flavours, chocolate, sweet smoke notes and a pillowy, perfectly poised texture lead to a long, fleshy finish. … Read More
Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 $48
In 2010 Trevor Shepherd talked his way into a job at Linden, where for four years he toiled (unpaid mostly) to restore the vines and get the decrepit, but legendary winery back up to scratch. It’s clearly worked. There’s a bold, buxom, plum and cocoa character to this wine, complete with grippy tannins, smoky warmth … Read More
Canvas column Sat Aug 5 2017
There’s something about Merlot… Here are two truths. 1. I am unashamedly a merlotphile. 2. I have never watched Game of Thrones. OK now you can judge me… Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 $48 In 2010 Trevor Shepherd talked his way into a job at Linden, where for four years he toiled (unpaid … Read More
Hãhã Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 $16
Berries? Check. Plum? Check. Truckloads of spices? Check. Ribsticking length of flavour? That’s a check by heck. Basically it’s a warming, cuddly, fabulously tongue-fuzzing, multi-tasking merlot that’ll please the crowds and win friends and influence people. Your wallet will remain calm and zen too. Sip with: slivers of prosciutto www.pointwines.co.nz www.yvonnelorkin.com