Folding Hill Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $35 ★★★★ ‘Ballasalla’ is the name of the village on the Isle of Man where owner Tim Kerruish grew up. It’s appropriate, as the wine has a ‘homely’ feel to it, immediately comforting and approachable. Attractive red rose, red cherry, tea, black guava and bouquet garni herbs … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Pask Gimblett Road Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2013
Pask Gimblett Road Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2013 $22 ★★★★ Brace yourself for pepper, leather, plum, fresh boysenberry and leafy aromatics which lead to a palate loaded with red berries, cranberry, pomegranate, dried sage and a dusting of dark cocoa powder. Super-fresh, youthful acidity combined with attractive grip on the finish makes this an affordable wine … Read More
Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Fairbourne Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014 ($34) ★★★★½ Intensely fruity on the nose, with lime, lemongrass, passionfruit and white peach all flooding through onto the palate as well. I love the bruised basil and lemon verbena notes that are carried along by ultra-tangy acidity and a solid, succulent spine. Lovely stuff from winemaker Sarah Inkersell. www.fairbourne.co.nz
Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
Burn Cottage Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $60 ★★★★½ True to their biodynamic philosophies, Ted Lemon and Clair Mulholland conduct all their winemaking work in accordance with lunar and celestial rhythms. They use naturally-occurring, wild yeasts, minimize their sulphur use and avoid using additives or filters. If you want a definition of complexity, this pinot … Read More
Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2014
Richmond Plains Nelson Chardonnay 2014 $25 ★★★½ The team at Richmond Plains has been quietly bottling rather lovely, fully certified organic, biodynamically produced wines for ages – and this is a darn drinkable example. Expect apple, peach stone and citrus flavours followed by a dry, mineral-rich, palate-cleansing finish. www.organicwines.co.nz
Quest Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014
Quest Farm Central Otago Pinot Gris 2014 $24 ★★★★½ What started out as a mistake (growing a small amount of pinot gris to co-ferment with pinot noir) ended up being an exciting solo project for Mark (Mack) Mason and Michelle Crawford. Fresh quince and nashi characters are sliced through with samurai sword acidity, leaving a … Read More
Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014
Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Organic Sauvignon Blanc 2014 $19 ★★★★ Aromas of basil and lime, passionfruit, pepper and lemongrass lead to crisp, crunchy acidity, a burst of citrus and oodles of tropical tastiness on the finish. Sourced from an established, high quality vineyard block outside of Hastings, this is a snappy, succulent example of sauvignon … Read More
Money Wine and Whiskey
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 6 Jun 2015 I tend to daydream a lot about the things I’d do if I suddenly came into money. Overwhelmingly those things involve hiring people who are expert in their chosen fields to do all the hard work for me. I’d hire a cleaner, a gardener, a chef and … Read More
Crafting Genius
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 30 May 2015 I’m typing this whilst sitting at the hairdressers, chin-deep in a billowing black cape. I have a head covered in little tinfoil parcels containing chunks of hair that are slowly sautéing toward a lighter shade of something-or-rather. It’s hardly attractive. There’s something about hairdressers mirrors that make … Read More
The Philistines Wine Group
Published NZME Regional Newspapers Sat 23 May 2015 Once upon a time, back in 2006, four self-confessed “school dad’s from Napier hill” got together to form a club. “It was while we were celebrating my son Max’s 4th birthday,” says founding member Allister Bathgate. “The dads were relaxing on the lawn when the subject of … Read More