This wine smells just like you’ve walked into an orchard growing lemons on one side and apples on the other. So intense yet so delicate and the palate reflects exactly that. But I’d expect nothing less however from Simon Waghorn, winemaker extraordinaire and all-round riesling rockstar. Crafted from his home farm vineyard in Marlborough’s Grovetown … Read More
Columns
Erben Bürgermeister Lauer Mosel-Saar-Ruwer 1996 Riesling Spätlese Neumagener Rosengärtchen ($57) 4 stars
Yes it’s on the pricey side, but it’s worth every cent and besides, when was the last time you tasted a 21-yearold riesling? Some assume that the word ‘spatlese’ is going to mean the wine will be really sweet. Yet this incredibly fresh riesling from the famous Neumagener Rosengärtchen vineyard is beautifully balanced. Scented with … Read More
Black Estate Damsteep North Canterbury Riesling 2016 ($27) 4.5 stars
This is a really unusual, spicy, punchy riesling from their clay and limestone-laden Damsteep vineyard located at the foot of the Omihi Saddle. Grown biodynamically and 2 years into their organic certification, these 17 year-old vines are really hitting their straps. Matured in 3-10yr old barrels, followed by malolactic fermentation gives gorgeous, creamy complexity to … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin CANVAS column for Sat 16 Sept 2017
Central Otago might reside at the bottom of the world, but its aromatic whites are interstellar… Archangel Stephania Central Otago Riesling 2015 $25 Zenek Zurakowski has cleverly added the official International Riesling Foundation sweetness scale to his back label, clearly indicating this is definitely on the dry end of the spectrum. Lifted green apple and … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for Week beginning Saturday 9th Sept 2017 – Vegan & Vege-friendly Vino
Vegan & Vege-friendly Vino In recent years there’s been an increase of requests from my readers for wines that fit the bill for vegan and vegetarian vino fans. Dan Barker, owner and winemaker at Moana Park wines in Puketapu is one of those championing that segment. “When I took over the winery in 2008, our … Read More
Opawa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $27 (4 stars)
This wine has those glorious, mysterious hedgerow and forest-floor type flavours that send me into a little swoon and yet, the wallet remains calm and happy. Opawa means ‘smoky river’ in Maori, and the vineyard is located in what was the riverbed of the old Opawa River. It’s crafted by Brett Birmingham and the talented … Read More
Homer Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $21.50 (3.5 stars)
Ultra-savoury, almost marmitey and meaty, this certified organic marlborough pinot noir has been shepherded into the bottle by winemaker Rebecca Salmond. Strong, muscular tannins give cheek-suckingly complex texture and add oomph to the shedload of spices already present. There’s a lot going on in this wine so make sure you’ve got some serious protein handy … Read More
Montana Winemakers Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $16.99 (3.5 stars)
Sick of sauvignon that’s all sweet passionfruit, armpit sweat and OTT with the capsicum and cats pee? Fret no longer, this puppy has a lift of white peach, lemongrass, basil and limey loveliness alongside a vein of quartzy minerality in the mouth. It’s lean, clean, tidy and darn tasty. Available in supermarkets.
Moana Park SVR Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 $45 (4 stars)
If you’re a fan of violets with vavoom and buckets of black pepper, then it’s all here in this wine. Newly released, this syrah from New Zealand’s most famous red wine soils, is incredibly youthful and spicy, with a seam of sarsaparilla and soy sneaking through it also. The tannins have good chew and add … Read More
Moana Park SVR Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $45 (4 stars)
This is one of those pinot’s which oozes savoury, meaty, earthy aromas, yet as soon as it’s sipped, a tsunami of spice tends to drown the tastebuds in the nicest way of course. This is the first time I’ve tasted a Central Otago wine made by this vegan & vegetarian-friendly producer, and it’s a nicely … Read More