Here’s a barrel-fermented chardonnay that doesn’t feel like you’re licking a plank. Created from fruit sourced from different sites across Clarksburg, Lodi and Madera. The toastiness is there, yet it swings toward the creamy, buttery style while edged with white peach, hints of grapefruit, nutty nougat notes and caramelised characters. Made by Mark Rasmussen and … Read More
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Yvonne Lorkin Wine Column for Week beginning Sat 21 July 2018
It finally happened. I actually gave in and let my husband throw away the ever-increasing collection of blackened bananas in our freezer. Bananas that I’d been ferociously protecting “For when I make banana cake!” And that’s a big ‘when’. Some of those ropey, wrinkly, fossilised bananas had been there for two years. Two. Which is … Read More
Bannock Brae Goldfields Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $35
This new vintage is un-fined and unfiltered, so you’re simply getting pure flavours of cherry, baked strawberry, wild thyme, tamarillo and hedgerow fruit notes. Grown in the desert-scape of Bannockburn’s Cairnmuir Road, this is a gorgeously gamey, elegant pinot noir with soft, fruit leather layers and deserves to be consumed by pinot noir lovers across … Read More
Tony Bish Golden Egg Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 $40
Immediate creamy nougat notes waft up the nostrils, followed by cashew butter, roast peach and plucky, pineapple and citrus layers that all osmose onto the palate. Fresh, frisky yet smooth and silky to sip, it proves without shadow of doubt that Bish is basically the Gandalf of good stuff, the Tsar of taste, the Obi … Read More
Pukeora Estate Ruahine Range ‘The Benches’ 2013 $28
From what was heralded as the ‘vintage of the century’ comes this powerfully built blend of merlot, malbec, syrah and cabernet sauvignon from the limestone-laden hills of Central Hawke’s Bay. Sweet saddle-leather, pepper, mocha, hints of prune, liquorice and showing bold, juicy tannins – it’s a muscular, sinewy sip that has loads of life in … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat July 14 2018
In 2008 Sam Sparro released the banger ‘Black & Gold’. But these three wines rock those colours every year in spectacular fashion… Pukeora Estate Ruahine Range ‘The Benches’ 2013 $28 From what was heralded as the ‘vintage of the century’ comes this powerfully built blend of merlot, malbec, syrah and cabernet sauvignon from the limestone-laden … Read More
van Asch Pyro Central Otago Syrah 2009 $40 (3.5 stars)
Nine years on from harvest and this wine is a freak of nature for two reasons. The first being that it’s syrah grown in one of the southernmost winegrowing regions in the world (highly unusual) and when a fire ripped through the winery not long after vintage, just a couple of barrels of syrah were … Read More
Tahbilk One Million Cuttings South Australian Chardonnay 2016 $18 (3 stars)
This is a new brand to hit our shores from one of Australia’s iconic brands. If you’re looking for a tangy, lemony, grapefruity chardonnay with creamy, nutty and soft melon and guava flavours, then this will fit. It’s a touch broad, but fruity enough to give you a tropical kick for everyday quaffing. www.wineandmore.co.nz
Delibori Pinot Grigio delle Venezie 2016 $19.95 (4 stars)
Pinot gris Italian-style, is what we’ve got here and dang is it delicious! Delicate, fresh and frisky, it bursts with apple, lemon and fresh-cut pear notes combined with a hint of seabreeze and crushed shells on the finish. Mineral and white pepper characters make this a winner with seasoned sardines on toast. www.stvincentscave.com
Maui Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 $14.99 (3.5 stars)
Crafted by the team at Tiki Wines, this tight, slender, delicately dry pinot gris has subtle white peach, apple, yellow plum and white pepper aromas. Flavour-wise, expect a flash of dried herbs, a hint of honeysuckle and peach, followed by racy acidity and a round, powdery, textural finish. A good quaffer if you err on … Read More