With a name taken from an old Sacred Hill vineyard known as ‘stoney broke’, the Brokenstone is now considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic merlot-based reds. The 2015 is a blend of merlot, malbec, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc and it’s absolutely sensational. Matured for 19 months in French oak, layers of cedar, … Read More
Current Columns
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for week beginning Sat 2nd Dec 2017
Get yourself a gravelly gift… For the last eight years, the members of Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels Winegrowers Association have submitted their wines to an internationally respected Master of Wine to be assessed. The aim is to find, on a vintage by vintage basis, the wines which best represent a given year. Only twelve can … Read More
Rockburn Tigermoth Central Otago Riesling 2015 $33
This wine tastes like it was hurtling to earth inside a meteorite because of the way it explodes into a million parts on your palate. Crammed with crunchy-sweet, granny smith apple, Tahitian lime and buckets of quartzy minerality in every sip, this vegan-friendly riesling absolutely soars across your tastebuds. Mandarin and yuzu-soaked yumminess. More please! … Read More
Porters Kereru Martinborough Pinot Gris 2015 $30
I’ve lost count of how many lawyers I’ve met who tell me they have a vineyard and make wine, when they actually pay a consultant to come down and get their hands dirty instead. John Porter is not one of those lawyers. He’s been a hands-on winegrower and winemaker, since planting his vineyard in 1992. … Read More
Church Road TOM Chardonnay 2014 $150 (5 stars)
Winemaker Chris Scott chose fruit from Church Road’s Tuki Tuki Valley block to fashion into what should (if I had my way) be a national treasure. Expertly crafted and scented with grilled grapefruit, seasoned popcorn, ground almonds and roast stonefruit. Its personality draws you in, it almost glows. It’s got gorgeous tension in the mouth, … Read More
Church Road TOM Syrah 2014 $200 (5 stars)
That’s correct. Two. Hundred. Dollars. But think about the last thing you spent $200 on and I guarantee it won’t be anywhere near as satisfying and succulent as this wine. The syrah fruit was sourced from Bridge Pa (just sublime syrah dirt there) and immediately you’re hit with the most exotic, alluring perfume of soft … Read More
Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $45 (5 stars)
New favourite alert! Chris Scott and his team have crafted a seriously delicious, rich, complex sauvignon from fruit grown in their Redstone vineyard in the Bridge Pa Triangle. 100% wild fermented and matured in older oak, it shows soft herbaceous, lemongrassy notes combined with nutty layers and a mineral-driven spine. Finely-tuned and incredibly fresh, it’s … Read More
Three Miners Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $38 (4 stars)
The tiny sub-region of Earnscleugh (between Alexandra and Clyde, on the Clutha River) is where Three Miners is located and where their magic is manifested. I love this pinot noir because it’s so bright and spicy. Soaked through with smoked strawberries, rhubarb, zesty, black tea and cherry flavours, it’s plush, perky and a fabulous example … Read More
Petane Station Hawke’s Bay Malbec Rosé 2017 $25 (5 stars)
Crafted from 100% Malbec, this is an incredibly juicy, mouthwatering rosé that smells like pomegranate, wild provençal herbs, redcurrant and a hint of pepper. Crisp, crunchy and darn gorgeous not only to sip, but the bottle looks like money right? I love how long this lingers on the palate – it’s a beautifully-made wine indeed. … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat Nov 25th 2017
The man with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the New Zealand wine industry, the man lovingly referred to as the high wizard of wine writing, the Gandalf of good grog-buying if you will, is Michael Cooper. And this week he’s released the 2018 Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines, the 25th edition. Twenty fifth! I think … Read More