Selaks Reserve Marlborough/Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 $22 ★★★½ Ruby/black in colour and rocking robust aromas of five-spice, black tea, clove and dark plum this dual-region combo works really well. The palate is sweetly fruited, bright and juicy and extremely easy to drink. Widely available. www.selaks.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Gibbston Valley Glenlee Pinot Noir 2014
Gibbston Valley Glenlee Pinot Noir 2014 $65 ★★★★¼ Sexy sweet fruit smashes its way out of the glass here. Pretty plum, berry and black cherry flavours merge with soft spices in a rich, generously juicy palate-punch. Very upfront and confident in its youth, it’ll reward another year or four. www.gibbstonvalley.com
Gibbston Valley Le Maitre Pinot Noir 2014
Gibbston Valley Le Maitre Pinot Noir 2014 $85 ★★★★★ This is such a young wine it almost seems like a crime to open it, but I’m a curious puppy and couldn’t help myself. Glossy magenta in the glass and oozing juicy cherry and plum characters, it’s the dusting of dried herb, tea leaf and truffle … Read More
Champagne de Castelnau Brut Réserve Édition 2015
Champagne de Castelnau Brut Réserve Édition 2015 $59.95 ★★★★½ This sparkler seriously over-delivers for the price. Created by long-time winemaker Elizabeth Sarcelet to commemorate the 102nd anniversary of the Tour de France, it will definitely appeal to those who like creamy, cashew and soft, lemony notes in their champagne. Delicate biscuit characters combine with clean … Read More
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 $47 ★★★★ The clay-based, alluvial gravels of Marlborough’s southern valleys provide the fuel for the vines charged with producing this powerhouse pinot. It bursts with black cherry, plum, black tea and smoky spices on the nose, followed by a saucy, fruit-soaked palate and a long, lingering finish. It’s youthful, … Read More
Sips and Pips
It’s been a whopper of a week in terms of wine tasting – so why waste time with faff and paff, let’s just get straight to what’s important. This is what I reckon you should be seeking out to sip (and possibly what to avoid) this week: Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($34) ★★★★½ … Read More
Paritua 21.12 vertical tasting
PARITUA 21.12 VERTICAL TASTING 24TH FEBRUARY 2015 Back in February I was lucky enough to secure a seat at the very first vertical assessment of Paritua’s flagship red, the 21.12 over its five vintage history. Only 5 versions have been made, because not every year will offer the correct conditions for winemaker Jason Stent and … Read More
Twenty Five Years for Alpha Domus
Happy Birthday Alpha Domus “It’s a great time to celebrate 25 years of being in the wine trade,” says a clearly chuffed Paul Ham of Alpha Domus as he introduced a room full of hospitality professionals in Wellington recently. “It’s also the perfect time to introduce you all to the 2013 Aviator and 2013 Navigator. … Read More
Boutique Fests and Biodynamic Events
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 13 Jun 2015 I’ve said before in this very paper, that I’m a sucker for a good wine festival; and coming up over the next few weeks are two real goodies. The first is just days away on June 14th, so if you’re anywhere near Auckland I suggest you scuttle … Read More
Fuedo Zirtari Nero d’Avola Syrah 2011
Fuedo Zirtari Nero d’Avola Syrah 2011 $20 ★★★½ This is a super-savoury little Italian sipper, loaded with liquorice, pepper and leather notes, meaty, black olive and prune layers and rich, roasting pan juices flavour on the finish. Velvety, smooth and dangerously easy to drink. www.winesale.co.nz