Wine column week beginning 17 Oct, 2016

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Allan Scott’s Central Otago ‘Scott Base’ vineyard is undertaking an important fundraising drive to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s iconic hut at Scott Base, Ross Island.  “Expedition South”, coordinated by the Antarctic Heritage Trust, will see three Massey Ferguson’s travel 2012 kilometres acros the country (the same distance covered by Sir Ed and his team when … Read More

Graham Beck The Game Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 $18 ★★★½

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Designed in homage to the super-shy, South African Cape Leopard, one of Africa’s big 5 (but rarely seen) predators.  The fruit for this tobacco, berry and cedar-driven cabernet is sourced from vineyard sites in Robertson, Firgrove, and Stellenbosch and in Groenekloof; vineyards that incorporate a Beck property game reserve on the slopes of Rooiberg Mountain. … Read More

Dunstan Road Central Otago Gewurztraminer 2015 $25 ★★★★

6 April 2017By Yvonne

What you’re holding in your hand came from just one single row of 184 vines which winemaker Marc Hatfield had crafted into a lovely, lychee, ginger and musky pot pourri-packed gewürztraminer that has masses of natural fruit sweetness and a smooth, velvety mouthfeel.  Peach, persimmon and punchy roast pear flavours make this one of those … Read More

Churton Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $27 ★★★★½

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Sauvignon blanc from Marlborough’s Waihopai Valley has its own personality, and when it’s given Sam Weaver’s organic, biodynamic treatment at Churton, you can expect something seriously special.  Soft basil, lime leaf, sweet pea and elderflower all jostle for attention on the nose, while the palate has an almost creamy, tropical character which comes from the … Read More

Cypress Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $22 ★★★½

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Violets? Check.  Peppercorns of all colours? Check. Blueberry? Check. Soft, meaty, gamey flavours make this a rather seductive and savoury syrah to be shared with all of your friends.  Preferably the ones that don’t arrive empty handed and instead arrive with armloads of cheese, pate and chocolate.  They are the people you should be sharing … Read More

I’ve been invited to a big party this week

6 April 2017By Yvonne

The largest international wine competition in the country has wrapped, the judging has been done and all the gold medal winners can be ogled at on www.nziws.co.nz/awards/2016.  What you’ll also see when you click onto the NZ International Wine Show site is a spot where you can purchase tickets for their “Pick The Trophies Challenge”.  … Read More

Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015 $27 ★★★★

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Great dry pinot gris isn’t the easiest thing to find here in NZ, yet Nadine Cross and her team at Peregrine have nailed it. The unusual thing here, is that while its dry, this wine (sourced from their vineyards in Bendigo and Pisa) also has a rich, creamy character from 3 months sitting on its … Read More

Peregrine Central Otago Chardonnay 2015 $37 ★★★★½

6 April 2017By Yvonne

I love that old-school, buttered crumpet and classic golden queen peach and grapefruity goodness in this chardonnay. Here’s an example of how you merge fresh fruit from across the tropical, citrus and stonefruit spectrum, with finely tuned French oak and a burst of buttery bliss. Nadine Cross is the winemaker at Peregrine and her skills … Read More

Peregrine Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $27 ★★★½

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Anyone thinking central otago was simply pinot noir country clearly hasn’t had the pleasure of sipping their sauvignon. Softer in style, with basil, peach and lemongrass characters that wash across the palate with the most subtle hit of white pepper and fresh passionfruit. Softly fruited and refreshing, this little gem from Gibbston will leave a … Read More