That delicious, chalky, limestone & crushed oyster shell character merges with lemon pith, white pepper, green apple and a faint touch of almond to produce a really pretty chardonnay that’s light yet beautifully structured in the mouth. Waves of white florals and spice lull you into thinking it’s going to be a gentle ride until … Read More
2016 Archived Columns
Champagne Cristian Senez Cuvee Renoir Brut $45 (4 stars)
Where has this champagne been all my life? With its pale gold hue, ultra-fine bead, pillowy, creamy mousse and enticing aromas of milk chocolate, lemon, fresh rising dough and delicately toasted almonds, it’s swoon-inducing from the first sip. It may rock an old-school label, but it’s a fresh, 50:50 pinot noir/chardonnay blend with vibrant acidity, … Read More
Pask Declaration Gimblett Gravels Declaration Chardonnay 2014 $50 (5 stars)
Chardonnay lovers have I got a bottle of ‘batta bing, batta bing’ for you! Crafted by the seriously talented team at Pask, (where it’s compulsory to adore chardonnay) here’s a grapefruit and peach-packed wine stitched together with butterscotch, custard crème, tweaks of cinnamon and a long, juicy finish. As soon as you sip, your palate … Read More
Ruby Bay Jewel Methode Traditionelle NV $38 (5 stars)
Where has this fizz been all my life? With ultra-fine beading and plucky, persistent mousse in the glass, it just looks like money. Thankfully it more than measures up in the mouth. Subtle and beautifully structured, it oozes almond and brioche aromas, raspberry shortbread and shows a creamy, full-bodied yeasty, biscuity backbone. Vibrant, rich and … Read More
The Natural Wine Co. Gisborne Pinot Gris 2016 $19.95 (4.5 stars)
How’s this for hands-off winemaking. Organic fruit harvested a little later than normal to enhance the fruit sweetness and then the juice is left to soak overnight with the skins to extract a little more texture and complexity. Extended lees stirring during a ferment kickstarted with wild yeasts from the vineyard itself has added layers … Read More
Cliffhanger Mosel Riesling 2015 $24 (4 stars)
Now why would you make it easy on yourself by planting your vineyard on nice, even, flat land, when you can pop your plants on rough, rocky cliffs overlooking the banks of the Mosel River. But it’s these extremes creating the eruption of green apple intensity, honeysuckle, lime and lipsmacking, tropical acidity. This German riesling … Read More
Sacred Hill HALO Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 $28 (4.5 stars)
Holy hand harvest batman! What a wine! It’s tricky to even start explaining how glorious this wine smells – but I’ll do my best for you. Vanilla, soft boysenberry, cocoa, caramelised walnuts and smoked plums – how does that sound? To drink, it’s fresh, vibrant, woven together with muscular tannins and extended with a marathon-like … Read More
Wine column for week beginning Sat Nov 5th, 2016
Auction Stations! If you’re serious about collecting wines of rarity and significance then you could well do worse than cast your eye over the offerings at the 25th Annual Hawke’s Bay Wine Auction. Saturday November 12th 2016 will see fourty two exceptional, one-off lots go under the hammer. These rare wine lots are sourced … Read More
Soho White Label Marlborough Rose 2016 $20 (4 stars)
Quite the prettiest rose I’ve seen in a long time, candy floss, raspberry, watermelon and classic, mouthfilling fruity clean notes burst from this gold medal winning pinky. Winemaker Dave Clouston has crafted a rich, robust little rose despite its pale, ballet-shoe colour. Delicate to look at – deadly tasty to drink. There’s a classic, creaming … Read More
Howard Park Leston Shiraz 2012 $43 (4.5 stars)
When wines like this arrive at the Lorkin office, I do my happy dance. I’d never make the cast of Limbs, or be given a place in Parris Goebel’s Royal Family, but my enthusiasm more than makes up for the lack of coordination. This shiraz absolutely bursts with clean, peppery spices. It’s also awash with … Read More