Alpha Domus First Solo Chardonnay 2013

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Alpha Domus First Solo Chardonnay 2013 $26 ★★★★ A waft of grilled pineapple and peach is what immediately impressed me with this wine, and the fact that it boasts tight acidity, delicious toasty spice notes, loads of citrus and has a zesty, clean finish was all a lovely bonus really.  Superb with a steaming bowl … Read More

Alpha Domus The Navigator 2013

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Alpha Domus The Navigator 2013 $30 ★★★★½ Blackberry, boysenberry, dark quava and intensely aromatic spice notes burst from the glass. Comprised of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot, this classic Bordeaux blend displays a delicious vein of dried herb and cocoa buoyed by fresh juicy acidity and good grip on the finish. … Read More

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2013

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2013 $72 ★★★★★ 2013 heralds the Aviator’s ninth vintage and it’s got real style. Bright, glossy, juniper berry colour in the glass and scented with red rose, pepper and dusty oak complexity. In the mouth it’s saturated with fleshy black fruits, fresh spice and smoke flavours, edged with elegant acidity … Read More

Herve Kerlann Aligoté 2013

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Herve Kerlann Aligoté 2013 $23.50 ★★★★ From France’s Côte-d’Or comes this deliciously dry, chalky, oyster-shell scented white, which is so crunchy and cleansing to drink, it’s practically an oral exfoliant.  White florals, lime and quartz-like, mineral complexity make this a must-sip for those that like their wines so dry they’re almost skeletal. For info on … Read More

Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2013

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2013 $28 ★★★★ Mandarin pith, zesty pear and green apple vibe, honeysuckle and complex juicyness and depth in the palate. Impressive spine and elongated texture and length. Lovely.

Sam Hunt Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Sam Hunt Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $24 ★★★★ Our favourite bard of the black jeans and shaggy hair has collaborated with some bright young things to create a range of his own wines and this is the southernmost example.  Beautifully aromatic, it shows red rose, wild thyme, black cherry, berries and sweet tea up … Read More

Panhead Hardtail Henry Oaked Stout

16 November 2015By Yvonne

Panhead Hardtail Henry Oaked Stout 8% 440ml can Big, bold and chocolatey – this will absolutely put hairs on ya chest. Rocking roasty notes, spice and cocoa – long on flavour.  Huge Stout!

Relax with a chardonnay

14 November 2015By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 14 Nov 2015   I don’t know about you, but I’ve just had one of those weeks where anxiety rendered my shoulders permanently riveted up around my earlobes, my lips were locked in a pinched, “be careful Yvonne, don’t-speak-or-something-ridiculous-will-fall-out” expression and my breath seemed to live in this dry, ever-tightening … Read More

Lessons from a wine column

14 November 2015By Yvonne

  Published NZ Herald Sat 14 Nov 2015   Hobby horses, Austrian natives and the dangers of ride-on lawnmowers – don’t say you’ll never learn anything from a wine column…   Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise Shiraz Cabernet Petit Verdot 2013 $18 When the Rugby World Cup final was broadcast, there’s a high chance the crew … Read More

Three drops to begin November

7 November 2015By Yvonne

  Published NZ Herald Sat 7 Nov 2015   “Whaat?  Is it November already?”  I shrieked at my 15 year old.  “Yip. For realz” she mumbled from the couch.  “Really?” I said. “Legit as” was her reply.  “Forget November I sighed, I need a good wine with which to grieve the English language…”   Brancott … Read More