To clarify, Moët rhymes with ‘poet’. So from today. It’s not okay. To say ‘mow-way’. When the Chef de Cave (French for ‘Chief Winemaker’) Benoît Gouez declares a ‘vintage’ it’s something to notice because the quality doth skyrocket. This is the 73rd time in the history of Moët that it’s happened. Aged for 7 years … Read More
Current Columns
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning May 5 2018
I made the mistake of hauling the heavy wooden box holding all of our family photos down from the top shelf in my wardrobe right when I needed to be knuckling down to work. “I’ll just take a peek at one or two” I said to myself. One or two rapidly became an avalanche of … Read More
Badenhorst Secateurs Swartland Chenin Blanc 2017 $25.99
Hand harvested from nuggety old bushvines growing on grantite slopes, this Swartland chenin blanc is ultra-elegant and saturates the nose and palate with beautiful baked apple and spice, caramelised, creaminess, rich, generous and apple-pie like. The acidity is fresh and frisky and its seriously lovely to drink. South African chenin blanc is now a firm … Read More
Wet Jacket Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $39
Named by owner Greg Hay after Wet Jacket Arm in Fiordland National Park, it harks back to nature always having the upper hand. Well the grape gods were smiling on the fruit for this vintage, because its intensely luscious forest floor aromas burst out of the glass and do macarena with cherry, raspberry liquorice, redcurrant … Read More
Thomas Goss McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 $18.99
Boasting more bling on its grill than Lil Wayne or Lil Bow Wow, or in fact any of the “Lil’s”, this shiraz has clearly shown it’s at the top of its game as far as wine competitions are concerned. Inky dark, glossy in the glass and bursting with boysenberry and blackcurrant characters on the nose … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday May 5th 2018
Think of today as a Tri Nations taste-fest on the sideline of wine. Aussie shiraz, South African chenin and Central Otago pinot compete with bling, bushvines and bursts of flavour. Thomas Goss McLaren Vale Shiraz 2016 $18.99 Boasting more bling on its grill than Lil Wayne or Lil Bow Wow, or in fact any … Read More
Maison Saint AIX Vin de Provence 2017 $26.99 (5 stars)
Such a beautiful, ballet shoe pink colour, this is quite the most glorious rose I’ve tasted in ages. Classic crunchy-crisp and dry, it’s a true Provence style in that it’s beautifully aromatic, and saturated with cherry and raspberry notes, and spruiking loads of spice. It’s fresh, frisky and fabulous to drink. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
Summerhouse Marlborough Verdelho 2016 (4 stars)
Finding great verdelho is as awesome as finding cold chicken in the fridge. It’s a very satisfying thing, yet a very rare one here in NZ, with only 4 companies that I know of growing it. Historically verdelho was used to make Madeira, but it’s found a new talent as a table wine. Exotically perfumed … Read More
Renato Estate Nelson Pinot Noir 2016 $25.90 (4 stars)
The grape gods must have been smiling on Renat Nussbaumer and his tiny Nelson vineyard in 2016. The fruit ripened beautifully, giving wine that roars with spiciness and the acidity is zesty-fresh and feisty. I get some soy and black tea amongst the usual cherry-suspects. www.renatoestate.co.nz
Bald Hills Last Light Central Otago Riesling 2010 $28 (5 stars)
How awesome is this wine! I’ll tell you how. Maturing beautifully, this is a superb example of how dry riesling should be standing the test of time. Pure, precise citrus elements shine through creating an intensely clean wave of flavour across the palate and zingy acidity compliments the classic honeysuckle, hints of mandarin, racy lime … Read More