If you’re looking for a bouncy, vivacious riesling that zings with flavour, you’ve come to the right spot because this new release from Hunter’s is so incredibly clean, fresh and limey. With its snappy citrus and crushed shell notes, crunchy green apple and hints of honeysuckle, it’ll make any recipe featuring ginger, chilli, garlic and … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Unison Gimblett Gravels Reserve Merlot 2012 $30 (4stars)
I used to work on a raspberry farm when I was in high school (loved it btw) and every time I sniff this wine it takes me back to those days of repeatedly sticking my face inside a leafy, fruit-scented canopy to harvest those plump, juicy berries. Fresh, spicy, with layers of plum-rubbed leather and … Read More
Sottano Reserva de Familia Malbec 2012 $43 (4 stars)
Dense inky, muscular and shows a strong core of dark boysenberry, blackcurrant leaf, charred capsicum, and sensational smoky, meaty layers. The texture of the tannins is chewy and deliciously drying, while a strong current of pepper and cocoa carry through to a long, persistent finish. Enjoy with blackened lamb shoulder and pomegranate glaze. For info … Read More
Cantine Riondo Castelforte Veneto Valpolicella Superiore 2013 $19 (3.5 stars)
The Valpolicella Blend is based on three indigenous red-wine grape varieties grown in the Veneto region in Italy’s northeast. Corvina, Rondinella and Molinara are the trio primarily involved in the Valpolicella DOC, Corvina plays the starring role in Valpolicella (up to 75 percent) and is regarded as the blend’s lynchpin. Known more for its acidity … Read More
Villa Pisoni Chianti Riserva 2013 $25.99 (4 stars)
Long gone are the days of your Chianti coming complete with a wicker basket wrapped around the bottle (they’re called ‘fiascoe’s’ btw) Thankfully today Chianti is much classier. Crafted from 100% sangiovese fruit, this light, supple, cherry and berry bang of a wine has powdery, clinging tannins and an earthy undercurrent that I really like. … Read More
Wine column week commencing 29th April, 2017
It’s that time again. Menfolk of all ages and stages have been fervently cleaning their weaponry, dusting the spiderwebs and cockroach carcasses out of their favourite SwanDri’s and oilskin coats, queuing up to renew their hunting licenses, buying new decoys, camo netting and carting trailer loads of ‘supplies’ to out to rickety maimais in the … Read More
Akarua RUA Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $25
Hugely spicy on the nose and palate, this shiny new southern star is heaving with hedgerow fruits, ripe cherry and berry notes, layers of leaf litter and sweet, succulent raspberry tea flavours. Soft, sandy tannins add extra complexity. Sip with: Shredded Duck Burgers www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Canvas column week commencing 6th May, 2017
Schist Happens… This first weekend in May means two things. 1. For the next three months it’ll suck to be a duck, and 2. It’ll be a non-stop Central Otago pinot noir party… Akarua RUA Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $25 Hugely spicy on the nose and palate, this shiny new southern star is heaving … Read More
Byrne Vineyard Te Puna Syrah 2015 $42
Sourced from a tiny patch of land overlooking the jawdroppingly picturesque Te Puna inlet, this smooth, inky-maroon, unfiltered syrah just bursts with fresh berries, subtle cocoa and plucky pepper characters. 10% whole bunch fermented, 50% of which was aged in new French oak, this is fleshy, earthy fabulousness in a bottle. Sip with: Classic beef … Read More
Byrne Vineyard Waingaro Syrah 2015 $32
Ben’s original syrah, sourced from 5 clones grown on his tiny, north-facing block overlooking Lake Waingaro, Kerikeri’s main water supply, is 30% whole bunch fermented with a splash of viogier and some extra viognier skins to boost the aromatic lift. Glossy, gorgeous and perfumed with pepper, violets, bay, cocoa and a hint of apricot kernel, … Read More