Parcelle Merlot 2011 $25 Between the Garonne and Dordogne rivers lies Bordeaux’s Entre-Deux-Mers region. The ancient Romans began crafting wine there over 2000 years ago – so it’s fair to say there’s much skill and experience at play in this part of the wine world. The vines here are trained low to absorb the heat … Read More
Uncategorized
Montsable Languedoc Chardonnay 2015
Montsable Languedoc Chardonnay 2015 $24.95 With its bright lemon-gold hue and lifted grapefruity fragrance, this gorgeous French chardonnay from the Languedoc (long-wah-dock) region had me doing a happy dance as soon as I popped the cork (got your corkscrew handy?). Pronounced ‘mon-sah-blur,’ it’s a gently juicy little beauty that shows pings of pineapple and peach … Read More
Bella Modella Extra Dry
Bella Modella Extra Dry NV $24.99 Some people see the word ‘prosecco’ and assume it’s always going to be on the sweet side, but that’s not the case with this little cracker. Crafted from ‘glera’ grapes grown in Veneto, Italy, it’s exactly my kind of prosecco: light, crunchy-crisp, refreshing, and zesty. It’s deliciously dry and … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column July 21 2018
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column July 21 2018 If the words ‘crazy whites’ conjures up Trumpy connotations, quickly rejig the phrase to ‘crazy good whites’ and you’ll calmly enter the world of this weeks’ wines… Obsidian Reserve Waiheke Island Viognier 2015 $48 I first sipped this wine while listening to the album Raising Sand, by Robert … Read More
Milcrest Estate Nelson Syrah 2014 $40
Milcrest Estate Nelson Syrah 2014 $40 Give that glass a good swirl to inject a whoomph (technical term there) of oxygen and warmth into the wine to release the bright boysenberry, intense florals, peppercorn and tobacco characters. The acidity is juicy-fresh and feisty, the tannins are prickly and chewy and there’s a squeak of smoke … Read More
Taiao Estate Reserve Late Harvest Semillon Viognier 2015 $ tbc
Taiao Estate Reserve Late Harvest Semillon Viognier 2015 Prepare for a burst of caramelised mandarin, honey, beeswax, fresh citrus and tangy tangerine notes. A whiff of toffee and white pepper and marmalade. Luxurious and yet tangy and refreshing – it’s a sign of what’s to come from this brand new, Bridge Pa-based producer. Exciting times! … Read More
Astrolabe ‘Valleys’ Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $24
Astrolabe ‘Valleys’ Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $24 Simon Waghorn has crafted a capsicum and lemongrass-laden lovely that if you’re lucky enough to still see this on the shelf, then you should definitely buy it and buy large. The bruised basil and lime notes merge with green nectarine, peach and passionfruit to create a brisk, … Read More
Chard Farm Sur Lie Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $27
Chard Farm Sur Lie Central Otago Pinot Gris 2017 $27 Rob Hay and his Gibbston-based team at Chard Farm aren’t afraid to push the envelope or pash the antelope where pinot gris production is concerned. Extra time lying on its bed of lees has amplified the creamy texture and boosted the bright pear, nashi, … Read More
Sign up for this incredible Vintage 2000 Kiwi vs Bordeaux Tasting!
Hosted by Geoff KellyTHE 2000 VINTAGE IN BORDEAUX, HAWKES BAY … AND NEARBY … Date: Friday 15 June, 2018, 6:30pm start Place: Kidnappers Cliffs Room, Te Awa Winery, 2375 State Highway 50 Cost: $85 per person Bookings: www.fawc.co.nz Limit: 19-only places Contact person at Te Awa Winery: Lisa Chambers, mobile 027 910 0019, email: lisac@teawa.com Booking Conditions / Waiting-LIst: There are no refunds … Read More
Le Pont Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $39.99 4.5 stars
Le Pont Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $39.99 (4.5 stars) Old school chardonnay fans ahoy! Named in Tribute to the pioneering Irwin family who bought the first Mendoza clone chardonnay to Gisborne in the 1970’s, they went on to found a French restaurant called Le Pont. A combination of French and American oak barrels has injected a … Read More