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
Author: Yvonne
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
Sacred Hill Riflemans Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 $69.95
I’ve often said that when I die I want this wine piped into my veins instead of embalming fluid. I want to take it with me to the grave it’s that good. 2015 saw superb growing conditions in Hawke’s Bay, the third exceptional year in a row for this national treasure vineyard to shine. The … Read More
Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Coleraine 2015 $129
The March 1 release of Coleraine, New Zealand’s most famous red wine, marked its 35th anniversary. Designed to age not across years, but across generations, it’s an assemblage (‘assom-blarge’ if you’re struggling) of cabernet and merlot from Te Mata’s oldest vineyards in the Havelock North hills. Left for a minute or seven in the glass, … Read More
Canvas column week commencing 4th March, 2017
Yes it’s 2017, yet in wine land the big guns from 2015 are only just being got out. These three are at the top of the tree… Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Coleraine 2015 $129 The March 1 release of Coleraine, New Zealand’s most famous red wine, marked its 35th anniversary. Designed to age … Read More