Crafted from fruit grown in the iron-rich, red soils of the Bridge Pa Triangle, this is a gentle, easy-like-Sunday-morning red wine showing attractive red berry aromatics, a dusting of cocoa, plum and bay leaf. It’s a soft, quaffable blend that’ll please the crowds. Need a red wine for that wedding coming up? This could be … Read More
Current Columns
Yvonne Lorkin Wine column for week beginning Sat 7th April 2018
Let’s say you’re a talented winemaker and you’ve got access to some really fantastic grapes but you just don’t have the resources to build your own winery? You could fight for some space in a large cooperative facility, however that situation is hardly ideal, especially if you want to make your wines ‘organically’ or naturally. … Read More
Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Saint John Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2013 $26.60 (5 stars)
Named after Mr St. John York, the original owner of the Bridge Pa vineyard where the fruit was sourced, this malbec went on to scoop the Championship trophy at the Bragato Wine Awards in 2016. Fleshy and full to the brim with aromas of roasting pan juices, dark berryfruit, red apple leather and Christmas pudding … Read More
Vinteloper Urban Project Red 2016 $39.90 (4.5 stars)
I LOVED the bottle so much that no sooner was it empty than I bunged a candle down it’s spout and popped it on the mantlepiece. Art right there. Shiraz and Malbec are an unusual twosome, but this blend by the unconventional coterie of Vinteloper kids works on so many levels. Aromas of plum, raspberry, … Read More
Sacred Hill Hawke’s Bay Helmsman 2015 $80 (5 stars)
My first taste of this wine was a few years before the millennium and back then I was told the name represented something that led the way that stood ahead of the pack and steered you in the right direction. This new vintage lives up to its reputation of focus and drive. A Helmsman is … Read More
Vinetti De Fiorini Chianti Superiore DOCG 2014 $25
Grapes for a Superiore can come from any of the sub-regions within the region of Chianti. Superiore wines must be aged for at least nine months before release and must be approved by the Official DOCG Commission. Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes have been crafted into a super-smooth, savoury red, edged with wild … Read More
Fattoria Di Basciano Chianti Rùfina DOCG 2015 $25.80
Located in the foothills of the Apennine’s, Rùfina is the smallest subregion of Chianti but also on of the most well-known. This Basciano is heaving with succulent red fruits, dried herbs and liquorice layers. It is velvety, sexy, savoury and I love it! Fact: Chianti Rùfina can’t be released for 12 months after harvest, six … Read More
Grati Chianti Rùfina DOCG 2015 $22.80
This blend of 90% Sangiovese, 7% Canaiolo Nero and 3% Colorino is a lightly-styled, spicy red that will clear the nose and soothe the throat on the first smiff and sip. Wild strawberry, cherry and peppery notes on the nose lead to a soft, fruit-saturated mouthfeel and a suede-like finish. Sip with: Minestrone with prosciutto … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column Saturday 31st March 2018
True fact. A “fiasco” is name of the raffia basket found attached to the base of old-school Chianti bottles. Take that to your next pub quiz… Vinetti De Fiorini Chianti Superiore DOCG 2014 $25 Grapes for a Superiore can come from any of the sub-regions within the region of Chianti. Superiore wines must be aged … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat March 31 2018
Fans of the fizz will have noticed in recent years, a wave of new and highly affordable sparkles flooding into New Zealand from the likes of Spain and Italy. Us New Zealanders, we love our sparkling wine and have always ranked highly on the ‘bubbles consumption per capita’ stakes. I’m not sure why that is, … Read More