Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 $48

6 September 2017By Yvonne

In 2010 Trevor Shepherd talked his way into a job at Linden, where for four years he toiled (unpaid mostly) to restore the vines and get the decrepit, but legendary winery back up to scratch. It’s clearly worked. There’s a bold, buxom, plum and cocoa character to this wine, complete with grippy tannins, smoky warmth … Read More

Tony Bish Skeetfield Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 $56

26 June 2017By Yvonne

Prepare for heaping wads of hazelnut, citrus pith, white peach and nutmeg on the nose followed by gorgeous, grapefruit, smoked pineapple and waves of juiciness which flow constantly across the palate.  Crafted from old vine, dry farmed, Mendoza-clone chardonnay from a vineyard named after Brick Gunn, champion NZ Skeet Shooter, this wine is beautifully balanced … Read More

Wine column week commencing 15th April, 2017

10 May 2017By Yvonne

One of the bazillions of things that I love about wine, is that when I’m doing my tastings sure as eggs something’s going to surprise me.  Something will step up, stand out and shake the old foundations of what I think is stylistically ‘normal’.  I love that I’m seeing WAY more sauvignon blanc that’s been … Read More

Nikau Point Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 $15

2 May 2017By Yvonne

The fact that this is just $15 a bottle, absolutely blows my mind.  Cherry, black tea and attractive spices, alongside red fruits, raspberry and soft plummy characters make this an incredibly drinkable, excitingly affordable pinot noir.  A recent makeover of the label has given this extra table-appeal.  It looks like money.  It tastes like money. … Read More

Wine and food matching 2016

28 April 2017By Yvonne

Wine and food matching.  The fact that it’s even a thing is the relatively recent result of American neo-prohibitionists in1970’s demanding that if alcoholic beverages were to be served anywhere, then suitable food needed to be provided.  So canny restaurateurs clicked rather quickly that if you’re going to do it, do it well and put … Read More

Bodegas Gancedo Capricho Val de Paxarinas Godello 2014 $29 ★★★★½

18 April 2017By Yvonne

Godello (pronounced God-Ay-Yo) means “small indulgence”, and I for one am totally treating myself to more than one bottle of this.  Blended with a touch of Dona Blanca grapes, I love the aromas of apricot stone, lemon pith, crushed oyster shells and white peach.  Sourced from the region of Bierzo in Northwest Spain, the bursts … Read More

Wine column week commencing August 13th, 2016

11 April 2017By Yvonne

SPANISH DRINKSQUISITION… There’s not much we don’t grow in New Zealand, except maybe pineapples, proper bananas and predators that will poison or maim you in seconds flat.  Yet we have managed to grow into a lovely cultural crockpot, and in the last 20 years in particular, our vineyards have been helping foreigners put their roots … Read More

Stoneleigh Wild Valley Marlborough Chardonnay2015 $ ★★★★

11 April 2017By Yvonne

Here’s a saucy chardonnay bursting with smoked pineapple, roast peach, caramelised characters, anise and white pepper.  Using only ‘wild’ or indigenous yeasts in the ferment, can give a white wine more funk factor and greater complexity.  So in the mid-palate of this wine there’s added layers of fresh, juicy acidity, hint’s of smoke and spice … Read More

Wine column for week beginning 1st Oct, 2016

6 April 2017By Yvonne

Last week I was very fortunate to judge the Bayley’s Hawke’s Bay A&P Wine Awards.  I love working at this event for three reasons, firstly there’s always excellent camaraderie and jolly japery amongst the judges who come from local climes and overseas.  Secondly, it get’s me out of the house and out of the clutches … Read More