Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Les Arbes Gisborne Viognier 2009 $58 Yes it’s pricey but it’s oh so nicey! Mandarin and tangelo notes with classic apricot kernel and cheek-tingling texture and orange oil unctuosity. Delicious stuff from one of this country’s viognier pioneers, plus it’s organic and biodynamically produced so no doubt you’ll have … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Tui Blond ‘Vortex’ 330ml
Tui Blond Continental Lager 330ml $18 per 12pk. Clearly winning ‘Best New Zealand Premium Lager’ at the 2010 BrewNZ Awards then Gold at the Monde Selection awards in Belgium this year wasn’t enough because the Tui folk felt it needed some appearance medicine. Initially sceptical of the new ‘vortex’ longneck, I had to admit that … Read More
Kate Radburnd Vine Velvet Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2009
Kate Radburnd Vine Velvet Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2009 $19 Ultra-fruity aromas of raspberry, cherry and liquorice while on the palate it is lush and beautifully ripe; the finish is warm, smooth and super-satisfying. Fantastic value for money and an absolute winner with roast lamb studded with garlic and rosemary. www.kateradburnd.co.nz
Yealands Full Circle Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2008
Yealands Full Circle Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2008 $17 “What goes around comes around” states the label on this plastic bottle. Produced by carbon-zero certified Yealands Estate this 100% recyclable is highly fruity on the nose and in the mouth it’s harmless, easy to drink but just a smidge boring if I’m being totally honest. www.yealands.com
Yealand’s Full Circle Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Yealands Full Circle Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $17 It’s a bonus this sauvignon comes in a lightweight plastic bottle because I suspect I’ll be throwing a few into my recycling bin especially come summer. Tomato stalk, fresh herbs, luscious lawn-clippings on the nose combine with ripe passionfruit, citrus and eye-watering acidity on the palate. Good … Read More
Te Mania Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2009
Te Mania Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2009 $35 Classic Burgundian colour and heady, intoxicating, cherry, chocolate and hedgerow aromas. In the mouth it has upfront savoury spices, flavoursome rhubarb and plum flavours which pave the way for silky, textural length of flavour that lasts and lasts. Lovely stuff. www.temaniawines.co.nz
Babich Headwaters Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Babich ‘Headwaters’ Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $25 Aromatically it’s definitely on the herbaceous, slightly vegetal end of the spectrum and in the mouth it has a sharp, gooseberry and greengage flavour, however it’s a little disjointed on the finish.
Godelia Bierzo Godello 2009
Godelia Bierzo Godello 2009 $25 Scenic Cellars in Taupo have just taken possession of an exciting new wine made by Godelia from little-known variety Godello located in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo. Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn. The DO covers 23 … Read More
Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008
Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008 $28 This is the first time I’ve tried a wine made from the Mencia grape and I was quite taken with it. Grown in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn. Scarlet-black, this Mencia has … Read More
Alluviale Gimblett Road Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
ALLUVIALE GIMBLETT ROAD MERLOT CABERNET FRANC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 $30 A cracker of a red created by sickeningly handsome winemaking couple, Kate Galloway and David Ramonteau – this wine has beautifully fragrant rosemary, roast beef, dark chocolate, espresso, plum, berry and molasses characters. I love the texture of this wine in the mouth with finely-grained … Read More