That delicious, chalky, limestone & crushed oyster shell character merges with lemon pith, white pepper, green apple and a faint touch of almond to produce a really pretty chardonnay that’s light yet beautifully structured in the mouth. Waves of white florals and spice lull you into thinking it’s going to be a gentle ride until … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Champagne Cristian Senez Cuvee Renoir Brut $45 (4 stars)
Where has this champagne been all my life? With its pale gold hue, ultra-fine bead, pillowy, creamy mousse and enticing aromas of milk chocolate, lemon, fresh rising dough and delicately toasted almonds, it’s swoon-inducing from the first sip. It may rock an old-school label, but it’s a fresh, 50:50 pinot noir/chardonnay blend with vibrant acidity, … Read More
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Declaration Chardonnay 2014 $50 (5 stars)
Chardonnay lovers have I got a bottle of ‘batta bing, batta bing’ for you! Crafted by the seriously talented team at Pask, (where it’s compulsory to adore chardonnay) here’s a grapefruit and peach-packed wine stitched together with butterscotch, custard crème, tweaks of cinnamon and a long, juicy finish. As soon as you sip, your palate … Read More
Ruby Bay Jewel Methode Traditionelle NV $38 (5 stars)
Where has this fizz been all my life? With ultra-fine beading and plucky, persistent mousse in the glass, it just looks like money. Thankfully it more than measures up in the mouth. Subtle and beautifully structured, it oozes almond and brioche aromas, raspberry shortbread and shows a creamy, full-bodied yeasty, biscuity backbone. Vibrant, rich and … Read More
Neudorf Nelson Pinot Rose 2016 $25 (4 stars)
Isn’t it just the prettiest trout pink colour in the glass? The pinot noir for this dry and seriously spry rosé is grown on Moutere Clay soils (which produce wines with real spark and spice). Once a little squeak of colour from the skins is bled through the juice, 10% is fermented with indigenous yeasts … Read More
Wine column for week beginning Sat 29 Oct, 2016
Uses for leftover wine… It’s been bought to my attention that some people have been cursed with an affliction known as ‘leftover wine’ – and they don’t know what to do with it. This is something which to be honest, I’m not an authority on as it never happens in my house. But as wine … Read More
The Natural Wine Co. Gisborne Pinot Gris 2016 $19.95 (4.5 stars)
How’s this for hands-off winemaking. Organic fruit harvested a little later than normal to enhance the fruit sweetness and then the juice is left to soak overnight with the skins to extract a little more texture and complexity. Extended lees stirring during a ferment kickstarted with wild yeasts from the vineyard itself has added layers … Read More
Cliffhanger Mosel Riesling 2015 $24 (4 stars)
Now why would you make it easy on yourself by planting your vineyard on nice, even, flat land, when you can pop your plants on rough, rocky cliffs overlooking the banks of the Mosel River. But it’s these extremes creating the eruption of green apple intensity, honeysuckle, lime and lipsmacking, tropical acidity. This German riesling … Read More
Crafters Union Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $22 (3.5 stars)
So this wine may come in a decidedly non-pinot noir shaped bottle, we here at WineFriend are happy to encourage a little disruption in tradition, especially when it looks so darn cool. Here’s a lighter style with hints of leather and dusty berry and cherry notes on the nose and palate. Fresh and slightly grippy … Read More
Sacred Hill HALO Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 $28 (4.5 stars)
Holy hand harvest batman! What a wine! It’s tricky to even start explaining how glorious this wine smells – but I’ll do my best for you. Vanilla, soft boysenberry, cocoa, caramelised walnuts and smoked plums – how does that sound? To drink, it’s fresh, vibrant, woven together with muscular tannins and extended with a marathon-like … Read More