We make bonza Bordeaux blends Down Under, but if you want to spend 10 days touring the real place with me in May, visit www.worldexpeditions.co.nz, use keyword search ‘Yvonne’ et voilà! Esk Valley The Hillside Hawke’s Bay Malbec Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010 $69 Esk Valley’s ‘The Terraces’ is a magical blend of fruit grown in … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Escarpment Nina Rosé 2016 $24
Larry McKenna is the high priest of pinot noir and every iteration he turns his hand to tends to err on the excellent side. This is the first time he and his team have crafted a rosé and it’s darn lovely, especially if you’re driving down the dry end of the road. Boasting gumtingling acidity, … Read More
Château Riotor Rosé 2015 $19.99
If you prefer your rosé with a bit of meat on its bones, this is your thing Chandler Bing. Château Riotor is located in the heart of the Massif des Maures region in Provence and this spicy, earthy rosé is crafted from a blend of Grenache, Cinsault and Syrah. Cranberry, redcurrant, juicy plum and hints … Read More
La Prima Vita Rosé 2015 $18
You know that classic flavour of biting into a strawberry that’s juuuuuust on the cusp of ripeness – that’s exactly what you’ll get in your first sip. Ballet-shoe pink and packed with basil and blackcurrant leaf loveliness, it’s dry, snappy and supple on the finish. Cinsault and Grenache-based, it’s classy-cool, like Madonna’s ‘Vogue’ routine running … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 18th February, 2017
“It’s too hot outside and I’ve run out of Rosé!” screamed my friend via text recently. “Don’t fret” I replied, “these three bottles will be with you pronto!” La Prima Vita Rosé 2015 $18 You know that classic flavour of biting into a strawberry that’s juuuuuust on the cusp of ripeness – that’s exactly what … Read More
Jip Jip Rocks Sparkling Shiraz NV $30
Serve chilled to enhance the sexy cherry, blackcurrant and deeply plummy flavours, this spicy, sweetly peppered sparkler is seriously seductive. Rich, indulgent and supremely textural, now is the time to give up your sparkling shiraz virginity. Sip with: Chocolate anything… www.unitedcellars.co.nz
Champagne Collet Brut Art Deco NV $85
If this doesn’t get your Great Gatsby going then I don’t know what will. One of my favourite champagnes, this exceptionally stylish fizz from the Aÿ region has butterscotch and brioche, shortbread and crushed cashew characters on the nose, followed by crisp, lemony layers on the palate, all clad in a cloud of freshly rising … Read More
Sileni Estate’s Art Deco Sparkling NV $32
Created in homage to the rebuild of Napier and Hastings cities after the devastating 7.8 1931 earthquake, this fizz was served last week at Hawke’s Bay’s Tremains Art Deco Festival and went down a treat. I’m not usually a huge sparkling pinot gris fan, however this is dry, clean, perfumed with nashi pear and crushed … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 25th February, 2017
Our first two wines celebrate the collision of simplicity of design and a modern culture of extravagance in the Art Deco years. The third’s a little Aussie cracker for those who like a fizzy red mate! Sileni Estate’s Art Deco Sparkling NV $32 Created in homage to the rebuild of Napier and Hastings cities after … Read More
Clearview Enigma 2015 $55
I’m not one to tease, but in this case I kind of have to because if I don’t give you a heads-up on how good it is, then when it’s released in a couple of months you may miss out, and the wine will remain, an enigma. With its glossy, inky, crimson-black colour, seductive perfume … Read More