Central Otago cherries are one of my favourite fruits and that they’re now being made into wine puts me in my happy place. It’s no tricked up, sugar-soaked, fortified, fruit wine either – rather it’s incredibly pure, clean and elegantly structured. The cherry flavours are natural, plus the soft spices, berry notes and fresh acidity … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Bald Hills Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 $28 ★★★★★
How clean, light, tangy and terrific is this wine? I’ll tell you. It’s darn excellent ok. It’s so good it’ll turn even the most hard-boiled pinot gris Grinch. Bursting with ripe pear, peach, quince and yummy yuzu flavours, it’s delicious on every level. Central Otago has real talent for this variety. Sip with: smoked chicken … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 6th August, 2016
Give yourself a slap in the chops with flavours that’ll have you dreaming of Spring… Bald Hills Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 $28 ★★★★★ How clean, light, tangy and terrific is this wine? I’ll tell you. It’s darn excellent ok. It’s so good it’ll turn even the most hard-boiled pinot gris Grinch. Bursting with ripe … Read More
Blank Canvas Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $45 ★★★★
Impenetrably inky in the glass, with a super-sexy sheen, I just wanted to devour it regardless of how it stacks up in the aroma and taste stakes. Often, to give syrah an aromatic boost, a splash of viognier is added to syrah (a la Côte Rôtie). However this peppery upstart has had 7.5% gruner veltliner … Read More
Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $26 ★★★★★
One sip and I punched both fists in the air and yelled out “Jane Cooper is a genius!” Jane’s been creating award winning wines at Matahiwi since 2002 and when it comes to making darn glorious sauvignon, she’s a master. I love the intense nectarine, fresh mango and lime flavours that smash across the palate. … Read More
Fontanafredda Asti DOCG NV $29 ★★★½
With its pillowy mousse, sweet, musky, candied aromas edged with spice and lemon; it’s a tropical treat from Italy that’ll have your mouth watering in no time. A positively demure 7% alc means you can treat yourself to a couple of glasses over lunch without being sent sideways. Sip with: Pear, blue cheese, candied walnut … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 14th August, 2016
May I present three wines to get you through the last week of the Olympics. Fontanafredda Asti DOCG NV $29 ★★★½ With its pillowy mousse, sweet, musky, candied aromas edged with spice and lemon; it’s a tropical treat from Italy that’ll have your mouth watering in no time. A positively demure 7% alc means you … Read More
Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir
Rock Ferry Brut Non-Vintage Chardonnay Pinot Noir $35 Made from organic vineyards owned by the Hutchison family, this blend of 60% Marlborough chardonnay and 40% Central Otago pinot noir is a rich, nutty, citrus-edged sparkling that has beautiful, biscuity complexity on the finish. Fine and elegantly structured, it’s a magic méthode that tastes as it … Read More
Ernesto Catena Padrillos Malbec 2014 $24
A label shouldn’t sway one, but merry-go-round ponies scampering on a pale blue background? Who can resist? ‘Padrillos’ means ‘stallion’ in Spanish, named after the wild herds that appeared in the dreams of Argentine winemaker Ernesto Catena. Grown under the searing Mendoza sun, this Malbec oozes fresh plum, intense blackberry and lavender alongside concentrated, ripe … Read More
Earthkeepers Otiake Blend #1 2013 $30
Here’s a gorgeously floral, delicately structured blend of pinot gris, riesling and gewürztraminer grown in the Waitaki Valley, one of the most unforgiving wine regions in the country. Aromas of crushed shells, lemon pith, nashi pear, lychee, guava and white peach all lead to a juicy, spice-driven, richly textured and rather moody, magical wine. It … Read More