Bellbird Spring ‘Block Eight’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010 ($31) Beautifully aromatic, showing soft, finely tuned oak influence, elderflower, white peach and lemony characters. It’s a stunning exercise in restraint with all the flavours and textures working in harmony, finishing with complex minerality and excellent persistence of flavour. www.bellbirdspring.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Sherwood Estate Laverique 2008
As far as sparkling wines go, the Sherwood Estate 2008 Laverique ($30) is now a new favourite. A 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, its lean, lemony aromas and elegant, minerally mouthfeel made it lovely to drink. Rich, toasty and fresh, it has personality, poise and fantastic length of flavour. www.sherwood.co.nz. I have to be honest and … Read More
Waipara? Why Not!
Waipara’s where your wildest dreams come true… Fourty minutes drive north of Christchurch central and you’re in Waipara, which is (after an incredibly generous spring) an absolutely stunning looking, heaving mass of lush, green grapevines. Until relocating to Canterbury back in January, I’m embarrassed to say that I’d only ever visited the region once; even … Read More
Black Estate Omihi Series Chardonnay 2010
Black Estate Omihi Series Waipara Chardonnay 2010 $31 If this is the standard of chardonnay Waipara is capable of then that makes me a very excited girl indeed. I love the way it smells like fresh peach and pineapple spread on a buttered crumpet. In the mouth it’s vibrant, concentrated and creamy, with silky … Read More
Tukipo River Estate Fat Duck Pinot Noir 2009
Tukipo River Estate Fat Duck Pinot Noir 2009 $48 In a word, jaw-dropping. Roland Norman has created a wine exotically perfumed with cherrywood smoke, hedgerow fruits, lush, forest leaf litter and japonica. I love the wild strawberry and rhubarb flavours and its silky, slippery mouthfeel. It’s an absolutely sensational example and one I desperately wish … Read More
Babich Hawke’s Bay Irongate Chardonnay 2008
Babich Hawke’s Bay Irongate Chardonnay 2008 $35 “Babich’s flagship Chardonnay is a power-packed whopper of a wine bursting with juicy peach and grapefruit flavours while showing taut acidity, elegant oak and sublime, mouthfilling, textural length of flavour. I’m certain it will cellar comfortably until 2014 and it’s a no-brainer as to how this came to … Read More
Register for Burgundy Tasting at Pinot Celebration 2012
BURGUNDY TASTING TO EXPLORE THE ‘CRU’ QUESTION Pinot Noir – that wonderful heady variety generates such passion in people – it inevitably leads to posing more questions than it does answers. The 2012 Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration – being held in Queenstown 26-28th January not only includes tastings of Central Otago pinot noir, Winery … Read More
Kim Crawford First Pick Lo-Cal Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Kim Crawford First Pick Lo-Cal Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $17 I can see this being a sure-fire hit for summer with its delicate aromas of white peach, elderflower and soft citrus. At only 9% alc and with 25% less calories than it’s classic First Pick cousin it’s extremely crisp, clean and lightweight but has a delicious … Read More
te Pa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
te Pā Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 $19 This debut sauvignon from the MacDonald family is a little cracker. Aromatic green herbs and soft, limey notes are punctured by passionfruit and followed by grassy, tangy tropical fruit and lingering minerality on the finish. Fabulous with steamed Cloudy Bay clams. For where to buy email scott@tepawines.com te Pa … Read More
Yealands Marlborough Pinot Noir Rose 2011
Yealands Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2011 $19 Soft strawberry and redcurrant aromas open the door to a crisp, rhubarb-like tang on the tongue and a long, slightly herbaceous finish. Available from www.yealands.com Yealands Pinot Noir Rose 2011