Elderton Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2012 $31 ★★★★ It’s the perfume of this wine which won me over from the first sniff. Bay and dried, bouquet garni herbs weave through subtle eucalypt and sweet, ripe plum and blueberry notes. In the mouth it’s buoyant and fresh, yet velvety-smooth at the same time. The tannins are … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Three decadent dessert wines
Published NZ Herald Sat 9 Jan 2016 Just when you’re thinking about hauling your carcass into some active wear and going for a jog, wait, shuffle around the block; you see a wine column singing the praises of those luxuriously decadent dessert wines you love so much. Curses… Johanneshof Noble Late Harvest Marlborough … Read More
Masseria Altemura Sasseo Primitivo 2013
Masseria Altemura Sasseo Primitivo 2013 $19.99 ★★★★ Made from 100% Primitivo (otherwise known as Zinfandel), this is an instantly appealing Italian red that has become a new favourite of mine. With gently meaty, roasting-pan and pepper characters on the nose, followed by bayleaf, sweet boysenberry and complex, dusty tannins that are elastic yet grippy – … Read More
Carpineto Dogajolo Rosso Toscano 2011
Carpineto Dogajolo Rosso Toscano 2011 $22 ★★★ A lighter style of red that’ll appeal to those who like a soft, savoury edge to their reds, this Italian quaffer has a flick of dried herbs, gentle meaty notes and a smooth, easy-to-drink style. www.blackmarket.com
Artero Tempranillo 2014
Artero Tempranillo 2014 $14 ★★★★½ How crazy is it that a wine this cheap can scoop a gold medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards AND a gold medal at the NZ International Wine Awards. But it is absolutely deserving. This Spanish stunner has lovely, comforting aromas of blueberry, cherry and medicinal notes. Juicy and … Read More
Theory & Practice Gisborne Chardonnay 2014
Theory & Practice Gisborne Chardonnay 2014 $19.95 ★★★★ Crafted by Ant McKenzie, (wine consultant to the stars) and his viticulturist brother Bryce, this is a cracker of a chardonnay that’s jam-packed with juicy tropical fruit and grilled citrus notes alongside caramelised, toasty characters and edged with creamy, custard square pastry-like notes. Fresh and tangy. To … Read More
Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2014
Taylors Clare Valley Shiraz 2014 $18.50 ★★★★ Wow! Steady yourself for intense clove and Christmas cake spices on the nose alongside heady florals and sweet sandalwood notes. In the mouth it is smooth, fleshy and generously fruity, oozing berries and chocolate characters. It’s outstanding value and deeply satisfying. Widely available.
Codorniu Cuvée Barcelona 1872 NV
Codorniu Cuvée Barcelona 1872 NV $31 ★★★½ Soft, chalky, seashell-like aromas merge with lemon and white peach to make this a lovely example of Spanish cava which is super-delicate in the mouth. Made from macabeu, xarello and parellada grapes and weighing in at a demure 11.5% alc, it’s a lipsmackingly light and crisp sip that’s … Read More
Bellbird Spring Home Block White 2013
Bellbird Spring Home Block White 2013 $30 ★★★★ Guy Porter has blended together an eyebrow-raising combo of riesling, muscat, gewürztraminer and pinot gris from his family vineyard on Georges Road, Waipara to create a wine redolent of yellow roses and grandma’s overnight bag – perfumed and sweet on the nose. In the mouth it has … Read More
Marisco Pride and Glory Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Marisco Pride and Glory Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $65 ★★★★★ Yes, you saw it correctly, a four year old sauvignon blanc that’s a new release! For Brent Marris and his team this has been a special project to produce a sassily complex sauvignon sourced from the Waihopai Valley that oozes white peach, lemon verbena, creamy … Read More