19 Crimes Snoop Dogg Cali Rośe 2020 $20 I love how it’s presented in smoked glass. Of course, it is. We are talking about Snoopy doopy after all. There’s not a lot of info on the back label about what grapes it’s made from or where exactly in California it’s made, but it is a … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Hastings Distillers Posy Pink Gin
Hastings Distillers Posy Pink Gin 700ml $75 I love the little picture of a posy (or tussie-mussie as my mate Kim calls them) of flowers on the label. I also love the font. Which, yes, exposes me for being firmly in the ‘appearances matter’ camp, but I do not care. Morganite-pink and diamond-bright, this organic … Read More
Pinot Brothers Gold Label Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019
Pinot Brothers Gold Label Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019 $49 Ben Dugdale and his daughter Rose are the talent behind Pinot Brothers (or should that be Pinot Parent and Progeny? or Pinot Dad and Daughter?) Anyhoo, they’ve done an excellent job of capturing the classic Martinborough florals and cherry intensity on the nose and palate. Lifted … Read More
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2022 $24 Bright pear and green apple aromas combine with a tweak of nutmeg and yellow plum on the nose and palate. The acidity is fresh and peaky which accentuates its dry finish. 2022 was a challenging vintage and this is a solid effort.
Domain Road Bannockburn Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Domain Road Bannockburn Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $24 This is, I think, the 8th vintage of Domain Road sauvignon that I’ve tasted and its fair to say that it’s morphing into its own style and groove. Showing heightened jalapeno, lemongrass, basil, preserved lemon and lime layers, it’s definitely one for the herbaceously inclined. Owners … Read More
Domain Road The Water Race Bannockburn Central Otago Dry Riesling 2020
Domain Road The Water Race Bannockburn Central Otago Dry Riesling 2020 $27 I’ve said it many times, great dry riesling should have an immediate flinty, limey, green apple impact on the nose and a tidal wave of crunchy, zesty acidity and lemony layers for days. Graeme and Gillian Crosbie are responsible for this bony and … Read More
Carrick Organic Bannockburn Riesling 2020
Organic Bannockburn Riesling 2020 $27 Strap yourself in for an avalanche of apple and lime in every sniff and sip of this new release by winemaker Rosie Menzies. Beautifully balanced and unashamedly citrus-centric, it shows attractive texture and tension in the mouth, meaning it’s an energy injection for even the most jaded of tastebuds. Chill … Read More
A Little Maison Noire Magic – BayBuzz Magazine Christmas Issue 2022
Santé to Maison Noire by Yvonne LorkinNovember 29, 2022 Photo: Florence Charvin “My perfect Christmas present?” asks artist Esther Smith. “Easy. A trailer load of mulch.” Not exactly what I was expecting when asking Esther and her husband, winemaker Guillaume Thomas of Maison Noire wines, what their Christmas wishes were for 2022. But as I quickly … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec 2021
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec 2021 $25 One thing will become super-obvious when inhaling the scent of this Bordeaux blend from Hawke’s Bay’s famous Gimblett Gravels region. Meatiness. It’s rich, savoury and roaring with roasting pan juices on the nose. Combine that with dark blueberry, plum, pepper and bay leaf layers, black olive … Read More
Pask Gimblett Gravels CMMF 2019
Pask Gimblett Gravels CMMF 2019 $22 Holy berries Batman! Those Paskers really know how to blend. This absolutely champion combination of Cabernet Sauvignon 43.8% Malbec 18.8%, Merlot 16%, Cabernet Franc 6.8% is super-stylish, spice-dusted and saturated with ripe plums, leather and cocoa layers and a dusting of liquorice. 2019 was a sensational vintage for Hawke’s … Read More