Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday 8th September 2018 It’s Saturday, time to get fizzicle… Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Blanc de Blancs Methode Traditionnelle 2013 $75 Normally when I sip a bit of sparkling I’m all laughter, smiles, clinking my glass and yet as soon as I’d wrapped my lips around this new release, I … Read More
Current Columns
Baby Doll Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 $18.99
Named after a breed of miniature sheep designed to keep his vineyards nicely manicured in the manner of living lawnmowers, Peter Yealands’ winemaking team has crafted a simple pinot noir that’s spicy upfront, holds some pleasant-enough fruit and has a smooth, refreshing finish. Uncomplicated easiness. Sip with: Red onion, pumpkin and feta tart. www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Misha’s Vineyard Cantata Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $30
A ‘cantata’ is a word for a vocal piece accompanied by an instrumental. A song basically. But this Olly Masters-made pinot noir from the vertigo-inducing slopes of Bendigo is definitely singing a more complex tune. Pale berry-coloured and scented with baked cherry and wild strawberries, it’s a fresh, frisky, spice-laced sip with grippy tannins and … Read More
Urbn Vino Reserve ‘The Writers Block’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $50
Brendan Seal first heard of urban wineries whilst working as a winemaker in the USA and he immediately thought Dunedin would be a cracker of a location to do it himself. Making wine in the central city might seem like a logistical nightmare to some, yet for Brendan it’s a dream come true. Sourced from … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for August 18 2018
Pinot noir can be indulgent, spicy or just plain simple – just like my choice of frock of a weekend actually… Urbn Vino Reserve ‘The Writers Block’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $50 Brendan Seal first heard of urban wineries whilst working as a winemaker in the USA and he immediately thought Dunedin would be … Read More
Riverby Estate Marlborough Noble Riesling 2014 (5 stars) $34
Fresh, frisky and overflowing with flavour. This Blue Gold and Top 100 winner at the Sydney International Wine Competition is an absolute firecracker of a dessert wine. Sweet and indulgent, yet super-tangy and energizing, it has candyfloss and toffee aromas, alongside caramelised mango and pineapple pluckiness on the palate. Gorgeous. Email: kevin@riverbyestate.com to buy.
Riverby Estate Marlborough Noble Riesling 2013 (5 stars) $34
It’s easy to see how this wine scooped a Gold medal at the NZ International Wine Show, (New Zealand’s biggest annual wine show) because it is so irresistibly unctuous and toffee-centric. Carrying concentrated mandarin and caramelized apricot and gorgeous honeyed flavours. Email: kevin@riverbyestate.com to buy
Riverby Estate Marlborough Noble Riesling 2012 (5 stars) $34
This citrus-stacked Trophy winner at the 2013 Air NZ Awards is, six years down the track, still carrying gorgeous acidity, caramelized tropical fruit, hints of honey and succulent textures. It’s an intensely delicious sweet treat that’s aging gracefully and exotically. Email: kevin@riverbyestate.com to buy
Massena The Surly Muse Barossa Valley Viognier Marsanne 2017 $41.90 (5 stars)
If your muse is all ‘treat em mean, keep em keen’ then they’d best stay surly because this wine is ridiculously grin-inducing. The winemaking team at Massena are mad as cut snakes when it comes to creating crazy-good blends and this South Australian version of Rhone-style classic just explodes with happiness. Yellow-diamond in the glass, … Read More
Manincor Réserve della Contessa Terlano 2016 $40 (5 stars)
Imported by Oh So Pretty wines, here’s a beautifully dry and delicious blend of 60% pinot blanc, 30% chardonnay combined with 10% sauvignon blanc sourced mainly from Manincor’s vineyards in Terlan, with a teensy splash of fruit from Kaltern. Both of these areas are in Südtirol, Northern Italy, and it’s like you can taste the … Read More