Giesen ‘The Brothers’ Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014

February 1, 2016By Yvonne

Giesen ‘The Brothers’ Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2014 $29.80 ★★★★ An explosion of lychee and ginger, peach and plush, musky sweetness is going to hit you in this ripe, rumpty gewürztraminer that’ll have you asking for another glass pronto.  If the tropical, spicy, juicy flavours don’t wow you, then the pure, refreshing, finish definitely will.  While it’s … Read More

Don’t slip into a rut

January 30, 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 30 Jan 2016   Well that’s it then.  January’s over, the kids head back to school next week and routine will reign again.  But this is no time to get all normal when it comes to your wine however.  Push the boat out with these babies…   Champagne Lanson Black Label … Read More

Tropical tang for sipping

January 26, 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Papers Tue 26 Jan 2016   It’s a rare thing, (seeing as the modern New Zealand wine industry is still so very young in the bigger scheme of things) that anyone gets to sit down, taste wine and chat with a person whose been making wine at the same company for over … Read More

A white flight

January 23, 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 23 Jan 2016   During these summer days it’s okay to be a bit of a white wine snob — but be warned, overchill and you’ll kill the aromas, dull the flavours and ruin everything.   Mahurangi River Estate Albarino 2015 $28 I’m really excited about Albarino and the potential it … Read More

Orlandi Contucci Rubiolo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2013

January 20, 2016By Yvonne

Orlandi Contucci Rubiolo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2013 $24 ★★★½ I LOVE that this Italian wine smells like Christmas cake, all cloves, mixed peel, allspice and cranberry.  In the mouth it is savoury, smooth, juicy and ultra-earthy, with hints of leather and pepper.  Light & fleshy. For stockists near you contact Macvine International 09 5797451

Banfi Col Di Sasso Toscana Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2013

January 20, 2016By Yvonne

Banfi Col Di Sasso Toscana Sangiovese Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $16 ★★★ The words ‘Col Di Sasso’ translate to ‘Stony Hill’, which describes the site of the steep, rocky slope in which the fruit for this wine grows in the Montalcino region of Italy.  It’s like someone took a handful of ripe, squishy raspberries, rubbed them … Read More

Bladen Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013

January 20, 2016By Yvonne

Bladen Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $33 ★★★½ A very light coloured pinot, that has a soft raspberry and cherry lift, tannins with powdery grip in the mouth and a long, medicinally-spicy finish.  If you like your pinot smooth, easy, light and juicy, then this is for you.  www.bladen.co.nz

Big Sky Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2012

January 20, 2016By Yvonne

Big Sky Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2012 $40 ★★★★ Katherine Jacobs and Jeremy Corban are the couple behind this rising star Martinborough brand.  The ancient Te Muna terraces provide deep, mineral-driven texture to the pinots which grown on its soils and this is no exception.  A dusty, musky mouthfeel cloaks earthy cherry and cocoa … Read More

Amisfield RKV Reserve Pinot Noir 2012

January 20, 2016By Yvonne

Amisfield RKV Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 $120 ★★★★★ This is one of those wines that I want to get all Spinal Tap on it by saying “but this one goes up to eleven”.  If I could give it eleven stars I would. RKV stands for Rocky Knoll Vineyard, the jewel in Amisfield’s crown and vineyard … Read More

Punch of a boxer in a ballgown

January 19, 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 19 Jan 2016   Love me tender?  Hardly… They say trying to buy houses is one of the most stressful things for any relationship.  I would go further and say that trying to buy a house via ‘tender’ is actually THE most stressful thing.  The sheer, bewildering, ambiguity of being … Read More