Wild River Dry Pinot Gris 2011 $14.99 ★★★½ Made by Mt. Brown Vineyards in Waipara, this is a crunchy, dry white with clean pear and apple skin characters and some interesting spicy flavours and a mineral-driven finish. Available from www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 $80 ★★★★★ Deep and brooding in the glass, it oozes sweet black tea, black cherry and spice while in the mouth it reveals a peacocks-tail of flavours redolent of dried herbs, succulent plum and cocoa characters. It’s a masculine yet elegant wine with real finesse, tension and a … Read More
Pinot at Cloudy Bay and Pinot to Ponder…
After more than ten years of trying without success to get a seat at the annual Pinot at Cloudy Bay event I was beginning to think it was just my destiny to forever fail. The first year I was about to pop my cheque in the post when the phone rang. “Congratulations, you’re pregnant,” announced … Read More
Try a kiwi version of a Spanish classic with Rick Stein’s Stew…
Rick Stein’s Spain on FoodTV (new to food tv) TUESDAYS 12.30pm, 4.30pm & 8.30pm Much as I love my father and my stepfather, for years I’ve harboured hope that one day my mother would marry Rick Stein. His manner is always so warm and effortlessly cheerful and there’s just something about him that makes you … Read More
Saint Clair Premium Marlborough Merlot 2010
Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Merlot 2010 $21 ★★★½ This has such a gorgeous aroma, boysenberry, plum with a waft of espresso – while in the mouth it is ripe, juicy and very very drinkable. Merlot from Marlborough is looking rather marvelous indeed! www.saintclair.co.nz
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2011
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2011 $43 ★★★★ Sourced from one of the most spectacularly scenic vineyards in the Martinborough region comes this shiny new pinot which is already showing excellent depth of flavour for one so young. Sexy and fragrant with hints of mace, truffle, hedgerow fruits and cherry while in the … Read More
Mills Reef Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2011
Mills Reef Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2011 $18 ★★★★ This is an absolute plum and spice fest in a glass. Loaded with bright berry fruit and yet it’s also very smooth, chocolatey, with a hint of liquorice which is followed by a warming, meaty mouthfeel. Great value. www.millsreef.co.nz
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2007
2007 Te Mata Cape Crest $30 (★★★★★) is sublime and then some. Delicious toasty notes on the nose combine with elderflower, freshly milled timber and crushed herb characters all followed by a burst of white peach and lime and finished with harmonious, honeysuckle-like loveliness. Delicate and minerally with a seam of coconut and lime pannacotta running … Read More
Sauvignon Fans Ahoy!
If you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last week or so would you have missed the news that The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2011 by Marisco Vineyards won the International Trophy for ‘Best in Show Sauvignon Blanc Under £10’ at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London. This is good news for two reasons, … Read More
Invercargill Brewery Pitch Black Imperial Stout
Invercargill Brewery Pitch Black Imperial Stout 9% 330ml $8 If you’re a fan of their 4.5% Pitch Black stout then you’ll no doubt be crowing “Amazeballs!” from the rooftops when you try this re-worked, double strength version. They’ve doubled the original recipe and halved the water which meant the mash got stuck and then after the … Read More