Angove Organic Shiraz Cabernet 2014

20 October 2015By Yvonne

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

20 October 2015By Yvonne

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

Soho Stella Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015

20 October 2015By Yvonne

Soho Stella Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $24 ★★★★½ Ahoy there sauvignon blanc fans!  You’ll be wanting to get your mits on this if you’re a fan of crunchy, crushed herbs, punchy passionfruit and peach flavours, sweetpea and lime in your wine.  It might be slick and stylish, but it definitely doesn’t just stand in the … Read More

Hãhã Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014

20 October 2015By Yvonne

Hãhã Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $19.99 ★★★½ Bright cherry, raspberry and spices waft from the glass and merge with gentle cola and cocoa notes in the mouth.  Youthful and fruity, it’s easy, fresh and silky to drink.  www.hahawine.co.nz

Wairau River Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015

20 October 2015By Yvonne

Wairau River Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $19.99 ★★★ This is a bright, shiny new pinot gris that has classic green apple, pear and squinty quince characters alongside lifted spicy notes and a seriously tangy finish.  The texture has a powdery, chalky feel to it which adds interest – but a few more months in the … Read More

Saint Clair Pioneer Block Cell Block Chardonnay 2013

20 October 2015By Yvonne

Saint Clair Pioneer Block Cell Block Chardonnay 2013 $32 ★★★★★ Sourced from the fantastic, free-draining Dillons Point dirt in Marlborough, this chardonnay just hammers home the message that our largest wine region is really on a roll churning out world class white Burgundy.  Saint Clair have never been slouches when it comes to creating great … Read More

Sparkling Spring

10 October 2015By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 10 Oct 2015   There’s something about the onset of Spring which sparks the desire for something well, sparkling. 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 … Read More

Cloudy Bay 30 Years 2015

10 October 2015By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 10 Oct 2015   In 1985 about this time, I was sitting in a movie theatre watching Michael J Fox as Marty McFly travel via his silver DeLorean thirty years into the future, to 2015. 1985 was when our family moved from Takapau to the big smoke of Hastings and … Read More

Wine Roulette

2 October 2015By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat Oct 3 2015 A text message arrives from my friend Jen.  She’s given up on trying to pin me down for coffee, or for a proper, well-behaved, big girls glass of wine at a reputable establishment to ‘catch up’.  To say I’ve had a busy two months is a bit … Read More

Northern Hemisphere Niceness

26 September 2015By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 26 Sep 2015 There’s a place in Italy called Salento.  It’s located in the Puglia peninsula region of southern Italy, the one that looks like the heel of a boot, and it’s exceptionally good at growing a red grape that I’m fast becoming a serious fan of.  That grape is … Read More