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.
Author: Yvonne
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
Soho Stella Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
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
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
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