Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015 $25 ★★★★½ Who’d have thought we’d be growing this snappy Spanish white way down in Marlborough AND doing a great job of it? Well, the Rose family at Wairau River are doing just that. Beautiful aromas of citrus blossom, white peach and summer flowers tease the nose before an onslaught … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Dunes & Greene Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV
Dunes & Greene Chardonnay Pinot Noir NV $19 ★★★ A creamy, peach & lemony sparkler from Angaston in South Australia crafted by winemaker Teresa Heuzenroeder that will please the crowds if served super chilled. There’s a hint of musky spice on the finish which I think would make it a winner with soft, creamy cheeses. … Read More
Georges Michel Methode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs NV
Georges Michel Methode Traditionelle Blanc de Blancs NV $25 ★★★½ If you’re new to the whole idea of sparkling sauvignon blanc – or if you’ve found many to be too sweet then fret not because Georges Michel is here to help. This is a blend of semillon and sauvignon blanc that’s scented with cut grass, … Read More
Mimi Sparkling Pink
Mimi Sparkling Pink $13.99 ★★★½ Aromas of delicate strawberry shortcake and cranberry cashew trail mix lead the way to soft cherry, breadcrust and biscuit flavours. It’s fresh, smooth, lengthy and the mind boggles as to how they make this wine at such a low price? Serve chilled and with salmon blinis. Widely available.
Astrolabe Vineyards Sleepers Vineyard Albarino 2013
Astrolabe Vineyards Sleepers Vineyard Albarino 2013 $25 ★★★½ Albarino has made itself well and truly at home here in the Antipodes, far from its Spanish home. Simon Waghorn has crafted a white wine that’s lifted, dry and has a whiff of oyster shell, lime and flint. It’s a lightly structured style that’s bony, tangy and … Read More
St John’s Road Motley Bunch Barossa Valley GSM 2013
St John’s Road Motley Bunch Barossa Valley GSM 2013 $20 ★★★★ Loving this blend of Grenache, Shiraz and Mataro which is made by Phil Lehmann, son of Peter Lehmann who is a Barossa Valley legend. It boasts vanilla, spiced plums and cherry notes, smoke, bright berries and stacks of fresh acidity. It’s a lovely, layered … Read More
Maretti Barbera & Nebbiolo 2013
Maretti Barbera & Nebbiolo 2013 $30 ★★★½ This is a classic spicy red with bounce and buoyancy from Piedmont in Italy’s north-east, Barbera is famous for intense acidity and freshness, while Nebbiolo steadies the blend with it’s sold structure and length. I like the toasty, leather, spiced plum and bright berry flavours alongside the tangy, … Read More
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $35 ★★★★ If you close your eyes and someone pours this into a glass there’s no way you could mistake the “Marlboroughness” of it. Soft grassy goodness, sweet basil, red capsicum, sugar-snap pea and lemongrass saturate the nose and osmose through onto the palate. This 2015 vintage is softer … Read More
Angove Organic Shiraz Cabernet 2014
Angove Organic Shiraz Cabernet 2014 $18.99 ★★★½ A really interesting series of flavours here, caramelised plum, super-ripe berry and cherry notes all bounce around in the glass. There’s a soft, meaty character in the mid-palate that extends to the finish. Smooth, easy and super-sippable. www.villagewinery.co.nz
Amisfield Pinot Noir Rosé 2015
Amisfield Pinot Noir Rosé 2015 $30 ★★★★ This is such a pretty wine in the glass – and it gets better as soon as you sniff. Aromas of candy floss, cherry, soft raspberry and melon meet a beautifully balanced burst of fresh berries, a squeak of spice and plush, tangy acidity adds delicious zing to the … Read More