Occasionally, if I happen to be in Auckland, and it happens to be a slow news week, I’ll be asked to scoot over to the TV3 building with a couple of bottles of something tasty and talk about them with Paul Henry live on his show. The Paul Henry Show is a dual-purpose telly and … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Mt Maude Central Otago Dry Riesling 2015 $25 ★★★★½
If you were to meet winemaker Sarah-Kate Dineen whilst sipping this wine, you’d be struck by a sudden urge to shout, “Wow! If this wine were a person, it’d totally be her!” Crisp, vivacious, toothsome and tangy, it bounces around with incredible intensity, presence and depth. The hand-picked, foot-stomped fruit for this citrus-soaked riesling, comes … Read More
Bernard Schurr Organic Cote du Rhone Villages 2014 $30 ★★★½
Bernard Schurr’s wines are now made at his friend Laurent Delaunay’s estate, Domaine de Lambisque, in the northern reaches of the Cotes du Rhone appellation. This softly spiced, earthy red is a blend of 50:50 Grenache and Syrah, aged for 9 months in large, seasoned oak vessels. It’s got a lovely forest-floor character alongside fragrant, … Read More
Howard Park Margaret River Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $30 ★★★★
An instant hit of crushed blackberry and blackcurrant that’s edged with rooibos tea and hints of tobacco means it’s clearly an overachiever in the aroma stakes. It ranks up with the prefects in palate-weight too with dark, elegantly structured , smoky, cedary oak, chewy cabernet tannins and a choco-spice finish. ‘Miamup road’ runs between Cowaramup and Wilyabrup, … Read More
Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $32 ★★★★½
Straight away you’ll be struck by the stunning ruby-garnet colour of this Bendigo-grown pinot – but despite the prettiness of the colour, this wine is quick to grip you around the gumline and shake you into submission. Exotic rosehip, cherry and smoked sandalwood aromas lead to a palate packed with rhubarb, cranberry, black tea and … Read More
Reynella Basket Press McLaren Vale Shiraz 2014 $40 ★★★★
Alongside the bog standard technical stuff written on the notes that accompanied my sample of this bottle (things like acidity, alcohol, pH etc…) the winemaker has added ‘Occasion = Late Night’. I concur. Dark chocolate, seasoned leather, cigar box and blackcurrant compote notes followed by cockle-warming, juicy, spiciness on the finish, makes this the perfect … Read More
Wine column for week beginning 1st Oct, 2016
Last week I was very fortunate to judge the Bayley’s Hawke’s Bay A&P Wine Awards. I love working at this event for three reasons, firstly there’s always excellent camaraderie and jolly japery amongst the judges who come from local climes and overseas. Secondly, it get’s me out of the house and out of the clutches … Read More
Crafters Union Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2016 $21 ★★★½
Ultra-pretty and bright like a pink diamond in the glass and shows fresh watermelon, light raspberry and soft peppercorn characters in the glass. Here’s a dry, crisp and refined Rosé that’ll have you singing in the summer in seconds flat. Sip with old fashioned curried sausages – yum! Available in supermarkets nationwide
Crafter’s Union Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $21 ★★★★½
I love the fact that on the outside the packaging is so whimsical, so extravagant, so wild, yet when you slip the bottle out, the labelling on the bottle is a simple white and silver crest. But it’s what’s inside that bottle that counts, and if you’re craving a hit of nettles, lime, passionfruit, pinprick … Read More
Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $20 ★★★½
Intense blueberry and bay leaf aromatics, stacks of peppercorn, cocoa and plummy notes. Warming and velvety in the mouth – plump and saucy yet elegantly poised. Baking spices and smoky, nutty notes on the finish. Give it a few minutes to open up in the glass and you’ll be rewarded for sure. www.redmetalvineyards.co.nz