Steady yourself for some serious citrus intensity here from the very first sip. Freshly-juiced lime, bashed lemongrass and passionfruit compete for attention on the nose, while layers of lemon and green apple wash across the palate. Piercing acidity, a squeak of white pepper and a strong, mineral spine, make this a must-feature in your fridge … Read More
Current Columns
Hãhã Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $27.99 (3.5 stars)
If you’re all about juiciness in your wine, then this is the sip for you. Soft tamarillo, cherry and rhubarb flavours combine to create a spicy, fruit-fest in your mouth. Savoury elements add a hint of earthy complexity to the wine, and fine-grained tannins give a hint of chew to the finish. www.hahawine.co.nz
Tohu Rewa Marlborough Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blanc 2014 $29 (4 stars)
With its pale, lemon-gold colour, sexy, meringue-like mousse and finely-tuned, tiny beads, this wine looks like money in the glass. It stacks up in the taste stakes too. Soft lemon and panetone loaf aromas, biscuity boldness and its fresh, creamy finish make this chardonnaycentric fizz one of my favourites. www.glengarrywines.co.nz
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for week beginning Sat Jan 6 2018
It’s hardly going to rip anyone’s knickers when I say that one man’s nectar is another man’s engine cleaner and a wine that has you spiralling into nirvana with every sip, might very well send your neighbour speeding to the spittoon. Even bottles featuring masses of shiny gold medals may only taste good to those … Read More
The Family Company Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2017 $25
This wine erupts with lychee, mandarin, ginger and buckets of stonefruit on the nose and palate. It’s juicy, spicy and has a luxurious unctuosity about it. Gisborne is essentially the spiritual home of gewürztraminer in this country and this is testament to that. Stunning stuff indeed. Sip with: Pork, coriander and ginger pot stickers. www.thefamilywines.com … Read More
Mahi Marlborough Rosé 2017 $22
In Māori, ‘mahi’ means many things. It can mean ‘to ferment’ (verb) or (noun) ‘an abundance of’, it can even mean the ‘mast’ of a ship, but I prefer the multipurpose nounverb ‘work’. As in “You do the ‘mahi’, you get the treats” because that’s exactly what you get with this wine. Treats galore. Delicate … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column Jan 6th 2018
For those a tad bereft at the thought of starting work again on Monday, these wines are here to help… Arthur Metz Steinklotz Alsace Grand Cru Pinot Gris 2013 $40 It’s not an easy thing to find Grand Cru Pinot Gris here in Godzone, but this one was well worth hunting for. Steinklotz translates to … Read More
Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $24.95 (3.5 stars)
Crafted from fruit sourced from Crownthorpe (or as the locals call it “the RD9”) this sauvignon has gentle lemongrass and basil and peach aromatics followed by soft tropical layers on the palate. Freshly herbaceous and a winner with beer battered terakihi. www.millsreef.co.nz
Le Bessole Valpolicella Classico Superiore 2015 $39.90 (5 stars)
Here’s a cheek-slappingly gorgeous blend of Corvina Veronese, Corvinone, Rondinella and Rossignola from the good fold at Igino Accordini in Verona. Inky-dark and glossy in the glass, it’s perfumed with plum, red apple, earthy, caramelised oak and dusted with a smorgasbord of spices. Fresh and frisky and chock full of black cherries on the finish, … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Riesling 2016 $25 (3.5 stars)
There’s something about the subtle, apple blossom, lime and floral notes that’ll hook you immediately. Here’s a wine with rich, dry, minerally layers which are a hallmark of the vineyards growing on the terraces of Martinborough’s Ruamahanga River. The team at Gladstone are rowdy riesling fans, and as their vineyards are now certified organic, you … Read More