A classic-yet-powerful Veronese blend of 80% corvina, 10% sangiovese, and 5% each of syrah and cabernet sauvignon, this is a monster-good wine. It’s a new arrival and there’s precious little available, so you’ll need to jump quick. Bursting with violet, cranberry, pomegranate, and cherry aromatics, plus redcurrant, cedar and a snifter of cola on the … Read More
Current Columns
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday March 10th 2018
No, today is not World Glaucoma Awareness Day. That’s on Monday 12th. Red wine helps maintain good eyesight, so try these lovelies and never cock up your calendar again. Matané Primitivo Puglia IGT 2015 $21.99 If you thought all primitivo was in the ‘big gun’ class, then here’s your happy place because this slippery, spicy … Read More
Bosco del Grillo Governo All’Uso Toscana IGT 2015 $22
Even though it’s basically a Chianti at 80% sangiovese, because the Bosco team blended in 10% merlot, 5% cabernet sauvignon and 5% colorino grapes means the wine has to slap on the IGT tag instead. But they ain’t ‘bovvered,’ and I couldn’t be happier. It’s an elegant, generous wine with lashings of violets, spice, and … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning March 10 2018
Several years ago I was fortunate enough to be invited by a group of Nelson wine producers to spend a couple of days in the region. I’d be meeting the local winemakers and generally triptrapping around, admiring the incredible land and seascape and soaking up the wine stories of a region that for whatever reason, … Read More
Kina Beach Vineyard Reserve Chardonnay 2015 $36 (5 stars)
Prepare for a big, grapefruity, toasty, roasty, caramelised and smoky glass of awesome right here. Deeply complex and richly textured, this is a classic, creamy, multi-layered chardonnay that will definitely win friends and influence people. Love it! www.kinabeach.co.nz
Kina Beach Vineyard Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 $30 (3.5 stars)
Here’s a lovely, bright, fruit saturated pinot that’s packed with spice and personality. Lifted and light on the palate, there’s a saucy, strawberries-and-cream character to round out the lengthy finish. It’s a crowd-pleaser pinot that’ll lend itself to any occasion. Nicely made. www.kinabeach.co.nz
Oak Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 $23 (4.5 stars)
Scented with boysenberry, bay leaf, blueberries, pepper and leather, there’s also a lick of vanilla which wraps itself around big, muscular, pumping tannins, making this a definite new favourite in my house! Dry, yet curvy and complex, it’s a merlot with excellent concentration and sippability. Try it before it disappears! www.oakestatewines.co.nz
Perelada Jardins Blended Red 2015 $19.99
Named in homage to the beautifully perfumed gardens (jardins) that legendary Parisienne landscape designer Francois Duvilliers designed for Count Perelada’s Spanish castle in the mid 1800’s. This curious blend of Monastrell Grenache, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is a floral, spice-fest with an earthy, truffle-like, dried herb edge to the deep berry layers in the … Read More
JK.14 Nonno Mario Carmenere 2015 $19.99
This might be the very first Italian Carmenere I’ve ever tasted and I totally love it. Imported by ex-All Black John Kirwan and his daughter Francesca, here’s a highly fragrant example that’s beautifully floral on the nose, scented with roses and bouquet-garni herbs, blackberry and pepper. There’s a softness in the mid-palate, savoury notes, graphite, … Read More
Domaine de Pennautier Cabardès Viognier 2014 $21.99
The historic Château de Pennautier in the heart of the Carbardès appellation, was built by Bernard de Pennautier, Treasurer of the States of Languedoc under Louis XIII and has been in the Logeril family since 1620. This weighty yet fresh, citrus oil scented viognier is grown on the sun-soaked hillsides of the Montagne Noire which … Read More