Twenty minutes from Christchurch on the West Coast Road (SH73) is a leafy locale known as West Melton, home to a plucky community of winegrowers, including Philip Caunter, a million-miles-an-hour man who doubles as ‘software entrepreneur’ and ‘ardent fan of the West Melton RFC’. His vines grow on free-draining, greywacke-littered soils gifted by ancient braided … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Canvas column week commencing 29th July, 2017
Thankfully, Christchurch’s liquefaction has all but disappeared, but in Canterbury’s outer winescape, there’s some serious liquid action going on. See what I did there? Liquifaction – liquid-action? OK, back to your smashed avocado then… Melton Estate Canterbury Pinot Gris 2013 $23 Twenty minutes from Christchurch on the West Coast Road (SH73) is a leafy locale … Read More
Wine column week commencing 22nd July, 2017
Fifty Shades of Pink. One thing is for certain, this is not a sexy winter. But there’s something about a glass of gorgeously pink rose that lifts my mood even when it’s murky outdoors. And yet it’s this pinkish hue, which unfortunately demotes it to the “don’t go there” list for many people. Ok, by … Read More
Tua Marina Marlborough Arneis 2015 $28
How brilliant to finally find an Arneis specialist here in New Zealand. Franzi Grab is obsessed with this tricky little Italian number that has the nickname ‘Little Rascal’ due to it regularly having hissy fits in the vineyard and not playing by the rules. Franzi’s version is chalky, bone dry and limey on both the … Read More
Tyrell’s Single Vineyard Steven’s Hunter Semillon 2009 $45
Aged semillon from the Hunter Valley is one of the world’s greatest things in my opinion. I love the straw, watercress, pepper, lemongrass, almond and biscotti aromatics which combine with nougat and summer flowers, green melon, baked apple, dried basil and almonds in this awesome 8 year old example. Extra for experts: The Tyrell’s can … Read More
Huia Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015 $32
This is a wine that I hanker for each year. Apart from being one of Marlborough’s most dedicated pioneers of organic and biodynamic winegrowing, Mike and Claire Allan of Huia Vineyards are gewürztraminer nuts, which means they’re my kind of people. With lashings of white pepper, lychee, musky, honeysuckle notes and gingery goodness on the … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 22nd July, 2017
These not-so-normal bottles of niceness will have you pushing the envelope right out of the CBD… Huia Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015 $32 This is a wine that I hanker for each year. Apart from being one of Marlborough’s most dedicated pioneers of organic and biodynamic winegrowing, Mike and Claire Allan of Huia Vineyards are gewürztraminer … Read More
Villa Maria Reserve Library Release Gimblett Gravels Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $69.99 (5 stars)
Impenetrably inky in the glass, brooding and stormy and saturated with tobacco leaf, sandalwood, Christmas cake spices and cocoa, this is my favourite of the Library Release wines. The mouthfeel is elegant, slippery and edged with an earthy grip around a core of dark berryfruit. Love it! www.villamaria.co.nz
Villa Maria Reserve Library Release Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $69.99 (5stars)
Eight years on from harvest and this straight cabernet still bright, buoyant and incredibly fresh. I love how plucky and precise the fruit is, the berry and plum definition is just lovely and an injection of smoky cedar really fleshes out this delicious experience. This is great kiwi cabernet right here and it’s a treat … Read More
Villa Maria Reserve Library Release Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009 $69.99 (4.5 stars)
Purple-black and gorgeously glossy in the glass, this is a deliciously dense, berry-saturated cabernet blend edged with bouquet garni herbs and cocoa characters. Softly peppered, fleshy and plump in the mouth and boasting a line of black olive, bay and smoke, it’s a big blend with real pluck and personality. www.villamaria.co.nz