This little cracker from the sunshine capital is maturing into a bit of a spice-fest indeed. Edged with rhubarb, tamarillo and masses of cherry, it’s a lovely, tangy pinot noir with freshness and friskiness. Email: info@rubybayvineyard.co.nz to buy.
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Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $30 (4.5 stars)
With syrah vineyards in Hawke’s Bay’s key regions, the winemaking team at Leveret can pick and choose where to source the best fruit. 2014 was a cracker for syrah, it was slightly cooler, meaning the wines were less bolshy, more elegant, stylish, self assured and good to go for years and years. Clean, precise dark … Read More
Lake Hayes Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $24 (4.5 stars)
This is a definite new favourite for me because I love the pure pear, apple and cleansing, quince-like characters in this wine. Produced by the talented team at Amisfield, it’s a bracingly fresh, fruit-focused gris that pops with personality and brightness. There’s a twang of natural sweetness upfront, yet it finishes refreshingly dry and zesty. … Read More
La Marca Prosecco D.O.C $24-$27
How stylish is this bottle? It shouldn’t matter I know, but it helps if it looks like money on the table right. Unlike many Prosecco’s on the market, it’s not sweet. In fact it’s deliciously dry, snappy-fresh, citrus-driven and has a light, ‘frizzante’ texture, so it doesn’t erupt in your mouth like a fizz-bomb. Instead … Read More
The Hunting Lodge Gisborne Marsanne Viognier 2016 $25
This is a classic Rhone blend of two key varieties that are very tricky to get right, yet the Hunting Lodge kids have cracked it. Incredibly tasty and a total floral-fest on the nose, I love its apricot and jasmine notes, mandarin pith and lemony loveliness. Zesty acidity, incredible texture and deliciously pure, white fruits … Read More
Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2016 $39.95
2016 was an absolute screamer of a vintage for the Matahiwi team, and there was absolutely no question that they’d be making a ‘Holly’ pinot that year. It went on to score a Gold medal at the 2017 London International Wine Competition and as soon as you sip it you’ll see why. Huge flavours here, … Read More
YVONNE LORKIN CANVAS COLUMN FOR SAT DEC 16 2017
Matahiwi Holly Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2016 $39.95 2016 was an absolute screamer of a vintage for the Matahiwi team, and there was absolutely no question that they’d be making a ‘Holly’ pinot that year. It went on to score a Gold medal at the 2017 London International Wine Competition and as soon as you sip … Read More
Moana Park Hawke’s Bay Merlot Malbec 2016 $25 (3.5 stars)
Here’s a vegan-friendly red that has masses of blackcurrant, violet, dried herb and pepper notes on the nose and has black tea, cherry, red fruits and spicy notes on the palate. Fresh acidity, grippy tannins and good length make this a great BBQ sipper with tender, roasted mushroom and eggplant stacks. www.moanapark.co.nz
Momo Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $19 (4 stars)
Crafted by the talented team at Seresin Estate, this organic, biodynamically-grown glass of gorgeous is sauvignon but not as you’d normally know it. With its smoked passionfruit, bruised lemongrass and elderflower perfume it’s rather seductive and smooth. Peach and lime layers linger around a creamy core (gathered from 6 months lees aging) to leave a … Read More
Millton Te Arai Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2016 $29 (4 stars)
Glossy and golden in the glass, this organic, biodynamically produced chenin blanc has late summer afternoons written all over it. With its perfume of apple leather, nana’s talc and musky magic, it’s aromatically intriguing, yet on the palate it delivers a whoomph (technical term there) of racy acidity, crunchy apple, pear and citrus pith on … Read More