Auction Stations! If you’re serious about collecting wines of rarity and significance then you could well do worse than cast your eye over the offerings at the 25th Annual Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction. Saturday November 12th 2016 will see fourty two exceptional, one-off lots go under the hammer. These rare wine lots are sourced … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Soho White Label Marlborough Rose 2016 $20 (4 stars)
Quite the prettiest rose I’ve seen in a long time, candy floss, raspberry, watermelon and classic, mouthfilling fruity clean notes burst from this gold medal winning pinky. Winemaker Dave Clouston has crafted a rich, robust little rose despite its pale, ballet-shoe colour. Delicate to look at – deadly tasty to drink. There’s a classic, creaming … Read More
Howard Park Leston Shiraz 2012 $43 (4.5 stars)
When wines like this arrive at the Lorkin office, I do my happy dance. I’d never make the cast of Limbs, or be given a place in Parris Goebel’s Royal Family, but my enthusiasm more than makes up for the lack of coordination. This shiraz absolutely bursts with clean, peppery spices. It’s also awash with … Read More
Black Estate Circuit Waipara Pinot Gris 2016 $24 (4 stars)
Tangy quince and japonica jelly notes on the nose lead to a fat, juicy, sassy apple and pear smashup in the mouth. It’s bursting with freshness, attitude and natural sweetness that’s balanced by racy, gum-numbing acidity. Thinking of demolishing some deliciously aged crumbly cheddar? This will be awesome. www.blackestate.co.nz
Millars Vineyard Syrah 2014 $25 (4.5 stars)
Take the little bendy track called Bush Lane above Mangawhai beach, and you’ll find the small but perfectly formed vineyard belonging to Ross Millar. He grows tiny amounts of darn lovely wine and this syrah is no exception. Ultra-pure peppercorn characters on the nose merge with lifted violet, dark cherry, blueberry and juicy, succulent fruit … Read More
Black Barn R&D Orange Wine 2016 $38 (4.5 stars)
Famed hither and thon for his tremendously golden chardonnays of all descriptions and deeply concentrated, saucy saturated reds, Dave McKee of Black Barn vineyards in Hawke’s Bay has taken a step sideways and released a shiny, new ‘orange’ wine. Inspired by a Georgian winery called Pheasant’s Tears, who ferment their wines with wild yeasts in … Read More
Wine column for week beginning Sat 12 Nov, 2016
I’m writing this column on Wednesday November 9th. Trying to write while the television screen is showing that the world will need to strap itself in for a Donald Trump presidency is nigh on impossible. Just typing the words “Donald Trump Presidency” makes the vomit rise in my oesophagus a little, which also makes wine … Read More
Unison Gimblett Gravels Rocky Red 2014 $22 (4 stars)
Phil and Terry Horn have absolutely immersed themselves in a Hawke’s Bay life in wine ever since taking ownership of the 6ha, Gimblett Gravels icon Unison Vineyard in 2008. With the help of expert winemaker Jenny Dobson, they have elevated the quality of their reds to stratospheric levels. This ‘Rocky’ merlot cabernet blend follows the … Read More
Pierre et Papa Rose 2015 $16.99 (4 stars)
This is an unusual rose made of 100% cinsault grapes grown on old vines snaking across the Languedoc in southern France. I love the juicy intensity of this wine, the raspberry, cherry and white pepper flavours and its pomegranate punch on the finish. It’s a rose that offers masses of character and a long, tangy … Read More
Karikari Esate Calypso Northland Merlot 2014 $27 (3.5stars)
If you were looking for New Zealand’s northernmost vineyard then you’ve come to the right place. The heat bakes those vines and the breezes which gust in from the coast directly below the peninsula keep the bunches dry and clean. Winemaker Alan Collinson uses wild, natural yeasts to ferment the juice, which adds to the … Read More