Diegale Rossoscuro Rosso Toscana IGT 2015 $31 This blend of 70% Sangiovese, 15% Syrah and 15% Grenache unleashes a smoky, savoury impression, with white pepper, a whisper of Brettanomyces funk that cloaks prune and baked cherry notes. The acidity is fresh and feisty, the tannins powdery and the finish is long and persistent. CSI Wines
Author: Yvonne
Zurbal Rioja Blanco 2020
Zurbal Rioja Blanco 2020 $23.10 Crafted from 100% viura grapes, this attractively straw-coloured white from Briones is lusciously lemony and loaded with personality. Briones is a walled, medieval town located atop a hill at an altitude of 500 metres above sea level and situated in the centre of La Rioja. It’s clean and bright and … Read More
Zorzettig Friuli Merlot 2019
Zorzettig Friuli Merlot 2019 $26.10 Italian merlot is not a common thing, but after tasting this, I wish it was! Juicy and cherry-driven, its a gentle, berry and plum-packed example with mid-palate smoothness and sweetness, a spicy edge and softly structured length of flavour. CSI Wines NZ
Kokako Farms Ohiti Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014
Kokako Farms Ohiti Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $30 While Hawke’s Bay syrah fans are geeking out over the Gimblett Gravels, I’m quietly having an Ohiti house party over here in Lorkinland. Winegrower Bruce Nimon is obsessed with finding great soils, and in between a cow paddock and an old stockman’s station is a little … Read More
Te Kano Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019
Te Kano Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 $49 Paired with: Slow Baked Mushrooms by Annabel Langbein in Canvas Magazine NZ Herald July 16 2022 I’ll be honest. There are some weeks when I’m literally just a slow-baked mushroom away from performing seppuku on myself over the state of things. Yet what soothes my … Read More
Ant Moore Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Ant Moore Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $22 Basil, lemongrass, elderflower, lemon verbena and punchy passionfruit make this wine a characterful sauvignon blanc indeed. Crafted from fruit grown in the Wairau and Waihopai Valley’s, it’s bright, crunchy, refreshing and rolling across the tongue and gums nicely. Bright, citrus-led and rather lovely. Ant Moore Wines
Te Kano Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Te Kano Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $36 Crafted from fruit grown in three organically-farmed vineyards across Central Otago’s subregions comes this elderflower, lemon and peach-stacked sauvignon that has richness, presence and excellent palate persistence. Juicy, softly structured and satisfying, it’s a gently plush, stylish sip from the deep south that I really like. Te … Read More
Pepperjack Mendoza Malbec 2019
Pepperjack Mendoza Malbec 2019 $23 Aussie icons Saltram wines have fallen head over tacones for Argentinean malbec to the point where they just had to find their own fruit and have a crack at it themselves. The result is a black fruit-centric, chocolate and liquorice layered wine that has an instant warming, comforting mouthfeel, juicy, … Read More
99 Rows Te Muna Road Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018
99 Rows Te Muna Road Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018 $28 Grown high up on the Te Muna Terraces, the pinot noir that comes from Julicher Estate has its own personality and huge florality (definitely a word). Gentle tannins are the cushion for its bright cherry, damson plum, raspberry, and redcurrant razziness (another good word). Plus … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 $24 The team at Trinity were clearly having an excellent time in 2021 with chardonnay at all levels just roaring out of the gate with flavour and personality. This vintage erupts with peachy punch and citrus complexity, ferociously fresh acidity, a deliciously defined, creamy mid-palate, a toasty lacing of … Read More