Pinot blanc is such a rare thing in this country, but Duncan Forsyth and Anna Riederer are experts at crafting some of the best year after year. It’s a complex little number, with summer wild flowers, white peach, walnut flesh and soft, exotic spices alongside a squeak of honeysuckle which adds a frill to the … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Archangel Stephania Central Otago Riesling 2015 $25
Zenek Zurakowski has cleverly added the official International Riesling Foundation sweetness scale to his back label, clearly indicating this is definitely on the dry end of the spectrum. Lifted green apple and luscious lime aromas literally leap from the glass and then they rip across the tongue leaving a wake of wet stone and quartzy, … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for Week beginning Saturday 9th Sept 2017 – Vegan & Vege-friendly Vino
Vegan & Vege-friendly Vino In recent years there’s been an increase of requests from my readers for wines that fit the bill for vegan and vegetarian vino fans. Dan Barker, owner and winemaker at Moana Park wines in Puketapu is one of those championing that segment. “When I took over the winery in 2008, our … Read More
Opawa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $27 (4 stars)
This wine has those glorious, mysterious hedgerow and forest-floor type flavours that send me into a little swoon and yet, the wallet remains calm and happy. Opawa means ‘smoky river’ in Maori, and the vineyard is located in what was the riverbed of the old Opawa River. It’s crafted by Brett Birmingham and the talented … Read More
Homer Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $21.50 (3.5 stars)
Ultra-savoury, almost marmitey and meaty, this certified organic marlborough pinot noir has been shepherded into the bottle by winemaker Rebecca Salmond. Strong, muscular tannins give cheek-suckingly complex texture and add oomph to the shedload of spices already present. There’s a lot going on in this wine so make sure you’ve got some serious protein handy … Read More
Montana Winemakers Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $16.99 (3.5 stars)
Sick of sauvignon that’s all sweet passionfruit, armpit sweat and OTT with the capsicum and cats pee? Fret no longer, this puppy has a lift of white peach, lemongrass, basil and limey loveliness alongside a vein of quartzy minerality in the mouth. It’s lean, clean, tidy and darn tasty. Available in supermarkets.
Moana Park SVR Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $45 (4 stars)
If you’re a fan of violets with vavoom and buckets of black pepper, then it’s all here in this wine. Newly released, this syrah from New Zealand’s most famous red wine soils, is incredibly youthful and spicy, with a seam of sarsaparilla and soy sneaking through it also. The tannins have good chew and add … Read More
Moana Park SVR Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $45 (4 stars)
This is one of those pinot’s which oozes savoury, meaty, earthy aromas, yet as soon as it’s sipped, a tsunami of spice tends to drown the tastebuds in the nicest way of course. This is the first time I’ve tasted a Central Otago wine made by this vegan & vegetarian-friendly producer, and it’s a nicely … Read More
Man O’War Waiheke Cabernet Franc Merlot Malbec Petit Verdot 2014 $28 (4 stars)
Winemaker Duncan McTavish has stitched together a gorgeously bold blend of four Bordeaux varieties from their sun-baked vineyards overlooking Man O’War Bay. 18 months in oak has unleashed powerful aromas of blackcurrant, liquorice and spice that osmose into an invitingly soft palate packed with dark berries, bay leaf, chocolate and coffee and finishing with delicately … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Wine column for week beginning Sat 2nd Sept 2017
Ask not what your sauvignon can do for you, but what you can do for your sauvignon. That’s the question. I’m not a winemaker, I’m a wine drinker and I love sauvignon to distraction. I will drink it on a boat, in my coat, on a train, on a plane in the rain while travelling … Read More