Mas Buscados Tempranillo Petit Verdot 2013 $16.95 ★★★½ The grapes are grown by three hombres called ‘Paco’ and the winemaker is Brent King, a gringo kiwi. With a grippy, grizzly mouthfeel awash with cherry, berry and pepper flavours, make sure you feed it with meat. For stockists contact importer Bennett & Deller 09 3789463 info@bdwine.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Valtier Reserva Tempranillo Bobal 2007
Valtier Reserva Tempranillo Bobal 2007 $17.95 ★★★★ Bobal is a Spanish native, which makes up 50% of this deliciously mature, Valencia-grown blend. It’s a smooth, vanilla-dusted red, oozing liquorice, cedar and dark fruit. Superb value. www.lacantina.co.nz
Beso de Vino Seleccion 2011
Beso de Vino Seleccion 2011 $15.95 ★★★½ ‘Beso de Vino’ translates to “kiss of wine” and this blend of syrah and garnacha is basically the full pash. Sweet mocha, anise, pepper and berries make this a plush, cuddly sip. www.thegoodwine.co.nz
Marqués de Riscal Proximo 2011
Marqués de Riscal Proximo 2011 $21 ★★★½ With flavours reminiscent of dust and dubbin on an old leather boot, with hints of berries in the background, this earthy wine has soft, stretchy tannins and a gentle finish. www.stvincentscave.com
Sunshine Brewery Powercut Mild Dark Ale
Sunshine Brewery Powercut Mild Dark Ale 330ml $26 per doz. “There’s only one power feed into Gisborne and it died on the day of the brew” says the notes with this beer. “The brew got dumped after Richard Mulligan, our brewer proclaimed “there’s no alcohol in that” but the name Powercut stuck and was given … Read More
Selaks Reserve Marlborough/Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
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
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