Generally speaking, PG indicates Parental Guidance is required to partake in the entertainment on offer. I’d definitely be inviting mum and dad over to supervise when sipping this tasty PG trio… Greystone Waipara Pinot Gris 2016 $25.90 If you’re a fan of pinot gris that feels luxuriously rich, plump and plush on the palate, yet … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Pa Road Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $16.99 (3.5 stars)
Here’s a great little introduction into Marlborough pinot noir, crafted by the McDonald family and the talented team at Te Pa Wines. It’s spicy, juicy, loaded with cherry and savoury, hedgerow fruits and has an earthy, slightly suede-like finish. Sip with classic, rosemary and garlic-studded roast lamb. www.thegoodwine.co.nz
La Valentina Colline Pescaresi Auha Fiano 2014 $39.50 (4 stars)
Gorgeously golden in the glass and bursting with daisy pollen and marzipan-like aromas, Fiano is an ancient grape that’s experiencing a modern renaissance. I love the light peach, soft almond notes, its bright, vibrant, mineral-driven mouthfeel and white pepper and freshly-baled hay layers on the finish. It’s an envelope-pusher of a white wine that’ll rock … Read More
Greenhough Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $20 (4 stars)
Nelson offers all sorts of niceness in a sauvignon blanc style that’s got a personality all of its own. Pretty, punchy and prickled with crushed nettles, bruised lemongrass and fresh passionfruit, this certified organic sauvignon erupts with zesty acidity, some sneaky oak notes and mountains of minerality on the finish. www.greenhough.co.nz
Brightwater Lord Rutherford Barrique Fermented Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $30 (4 star)
I’m on a crusade to convert more people over to the barrel fermented side of the sauvignon fence if it’s the last thing I do. Gary and Valley Neale are experts in this field and this eye-poppingly good example is now a firm favourite of mine. Toasty, macadamia, buttered crumpet and roast peach aromatics lead … Read More
Crazy By Nature Cosmo Red 2015 $26 (3.5 star)
Grown biodynamically by James Millton in Gisborne, this ‘field blend’ of Malbec, Syrah and a splash of Viognier is produced using special herbal, mineral and animal preparations and looking to the laws of nature. No herbicide, insecticide, systemic fungicide or soluble fertilizer was used, also no cultured yeasts or bacteria came within coo-ee of the … Read More
Wine column week commencing 3rd June, 2017
Lyrical Love “The thing about a challenging vintage” says James Millton of Gisborne’s Millton Vineyards, “is that regardless of weather, if the whole team picking grapes are happy and good and well organised and industrious then the whole thing just works like a hand in a glove”. He was talking about the ‘tricky’ harvest the … Read More
Kumeu River Kumeu Crémant NV $50 (4 star)
For aeons, Michael Brajkovich MW has turned out tasty pinot noir and jawdroppingly good chardonnay at every level. So it was only a matter of time before he opted to marry the two under holy methode traditionelle matrimony. A base of 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir were handpicked, whole bunch pressed and fermented with … Read More
Fairhall Downs Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $35 (5 stars)
New favourite alert! This pinot noir is absolutely heaving with ultra-juicy cherry boysenberry, raspberry and masses of spice. It’s generous, plush and silky-smooth to drink. Plus it’s got pluck and personality and that’s exactly why your glass will be almost impossible to put down. www.fairhalldowns.co.nz
Unison Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015 $55 (4.5stars)
This wine may be from a ‘monster’ vintage, a vintage you’d expect to produce exclusively big, alcoholic, over-extracted wines. Yet here we have elegance ‘wine-on-ified’. Fresh pepper and vibrant plum and boysenberry backstroke through waves of vanilla and dried herbs. The tannins are solid, yet stretchy and supple and it’s a wine that the team … Read More