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
Author: Yvonne
Orlandi Contucci Rubiolo Montepulciano D’Abruzzo 2013
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
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
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
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
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
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
Three ways to ease the speed of summer
Published NZ Herald Sat 16 Jan 2016 What? How did it suddenly become the middle of January already? To ease the shock I suggest reaching for some tastebud-distracting deliciousness that’ll send you back to September in seconds flat. Mansfield & Marsh Methode Traditionnelle Sparkling Wine NV $14.95 This is my new favourite bargain bubbly. … Read More
Two Paddocks Central Otago Riesling 2014
Two Paddocks Central Otago Riesling 2014 $32 ★★★★½ How winemaker Dean Shaw manages to stuff the equivalent of an entire citrus orchard into a 750ml bottle is beyond me, but if you’re a fan of anything resembling a crunchy-crisp, lime and apple smash up, that also manages to be stylish and elegantly put together, then … Read More
Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Noir 2013
Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Noir 2013 $30 ★★★★ The instant I stuck my nose inside the glass, I was met with a whoomph of cherry-chocolate, smoked coconut, dried herb and peppery plushness. It’s been sixteen years since Julie and Alistair Ashcroft purchased their 4.5 hectare block overlooking Tasman Bay and twelve years since the vines … Read More