Snapper Rock Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2013

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Snapper Rock Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2013 $16.95 ★★★★ Well I for one did a little dance after tasting this wine because not only is it bright and berry-stacked on the nose, but it’s loaded with plum, boysenberry and attractive vanilla, spice and smoky notes on the palate.  It’s a warm, cuddly, silky and slippery … Read More

Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘O’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Brancott Estate Letter Series ‘O’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 $34 ★★★★★ This wine smells like peach and almond crumble, caramelised citrus and has a delicious blend of spiciness and creaminess to add to its all-round yumminess.  There’s a lovely roasty, toasty layer and a buttery injection on the finish.  The ‘O’ stands for their Omaka vineyard.  … Read More

Château Rombeau Cuveé Elise Vieilles Vignes 2008

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Château Rombeau Cuveé Elise Vieilles Vignes 2008 $42.95 ★★★½ Hailing from the Cotes du Rousillon in the south of France, this eight year old blend of syrah, mourvedre and Grenache has a light, gently savoury plum and dried herb character on the nose followed by plush cherry and dark fruit notes in the mouth.  So … Read More

Caldora Sangiovese IGT

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Caldora Sangiovese IGT $25 ★★★★ As soon as you begin pouring this wine into your glass, you’ll find people across the room will lift their noses and begin floating in your direction.  The aromas are so powerfully sweet and spicy.  Ripe plums, black cherry, boysenberry, pepper and chocolate-covered liquorice – it’s all here.  Fresh and … Read More

Cheers to not poisoning you, my friend

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 22 Feb 2016   If you’re sitting at home or at the café or the hairdressers or possibly on a plane or a bus or at your computer reading this newspaper, then you’re possibly feeling that it’s all very well being kept up to date with the current affairs of … Read More

Mud House Dambuster Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Mud House Dambuster Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $39 ★★★★ This is the first single-vineyard release to come from the clay soils of their new ‘Woolshed’ vineyard located near the Delta Dam.  Originally an old RNZAF base on land deemed too crap for cropping, this patch of dirt is more than proving itself in vines if … Read More

Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $19 ★★★★½ Prepare yourself for a smash up of snappy, crunchy capsicum, crushed basil, lemon sorbet and all manner of tropical tangy-ness.  This is a seriously good sauvignon that’s clean, precise and pure and ticks all those boxes for stylish summer sipping.  Don’t serve it too cold though, otherwise all those … Read More

Ant MacKenzie ‘Toño’ Hawke’s Bay Rosado 2015

22 February 2016By Yvonne

Ant MacKenzie ‘Toño’ Hawke’s Bay Rosado 2015 $17.95 ★★★½ Rosado is Spanish for rosé and they’re typically dry and bright.  If you’re a rosé fan then you’ll love the forward and fruity aromas of creaming soda, raspberry coulis and watermelon in this fresh, juicy new release.  It’s one of those wines that has real personality … Read More

Three to satisfy urges

20 February 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 20 Feb 2016   If you feel the urge to adopt an organic edge, embrace the ANZAC spirit or immerse yourself in something unusual from Italy, I think I’ve got just what you’re looking for this week…   Richmond Plains Nelson Pinot Noir 2014 $27.99 Don’t be expecting to see a neatly … Read More

Terra Sancta Central Otago Mysterious White 2014

19 February 2016By Yvonne

Terra Sancta Central Otago Mysterious White 2014 $24 ★★★½ Well there’s nothing I love more than a good mystery, and this cheek-slappingly tasty blend of muscat, gewürztraminer, pinot gris and riesling has plenty of that.  With aroma of musk and apple skin, chalky mineral-like notes, powdery florals and punchy, white peach it’s a complex task … Read More