House of Ball Waipara Pinot Noir 2014 $41 Crafted by the husband and wife team of Julian and Lynda Ball, just 200 bottles were made of this bright, spicy, classic North Canterbury pinot noir. Most of it is soaked up by their lucky B&B Guests, but if you contact them quick you could be in … Read More
House of Ball Romping Waipara Rosé 2017
House of Ball Romping Waipara Rosé 2017 $32 House of Ball is a vineyard and luxury B&B property owned by Julian and Lynda Ball on Mackenzies Road in North Canterbury. Lynda is the instigator of rosé because she was a fan of the style and wanted one of her own. Julian, good man, obliged and … Read More
Matawhero First Sun Gisborne Rosé 2018 $39.95 (3.5 stars)
What’s better than a bottle of crisp, snappy, fruit-soaked rosé? An even bigger bottle that’s what! Now it might be the middle of winter, but the team at Matawhero reckon it’s time they release their tribute to growing grapes in the first place that sees the sun each day. Made from merlot grapes, this has … Read More
Anciano Old Vines 35yo Garnacha 2015
Anciano Old Vines 35yo Garnacha 2015 $19.99 Here’s a comfortingly rich, round and rumpty Spanish Garnacha made from 35 y.o. vines from Calatayud. Made by Norrel Robertson MW, it’s scented with cough drop characters, Irish Moss, anise, dutch cocoa and hints of saddle leather – all of which saturate onto the palate. The acidity is fresh, finely tuned … Read More
Matahiwi Estate Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2018 $22.90 (4.5 stars)
I am head over heels with this wine. Not because I naturally have the hand-eye coordination of a one legged pirate with glaucoma and a bad case of OOS, but because the exotic, pear strudel and apple pie richness of this gris has seriously got me in its grip. White peach, soft spices and a … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin NZME Regionals Column for Week beginning Sat Aug 4th 2018
This week’s bought a smorgasbord of treats on the wine front. It’s as if with the arrival of August, everyone’s pulled on their positive pants and decided that they’re on the home stretch out of this wet and weird winter. Most of the wines I’ve seen have been really fresh, exciting and really good examples … Read More
Sons of Eden Freya Eden Valley Riesling 2017 $35
‘Freya’ is an ancient euro-nordic goddess famous for her fondness of love, fertility, beauty, and fabulous things – and, because of these predilections, she’s considered to be something of a party girl. Each sip will have you thinking your Christmases’ have come at once. Lifted florals, lovely lime, ripe apple, honeysuckle, deep minerality and a … Read More
Rolly Gassmann Vin D’Alsace Pinot Gris 2012 $39
The Gassmann’s have been winegrowers since 1611. 1611! That’s like when the King James Bible was first published and when Gallileo discovered sunspots on the sun. Modern life has this pinot gris maturing deliciously. Packed with punchy yellow plum, quince, poached pear and caramelised spices, the flavours are glorious, the acidity is succulent and refreshing, … Read More
Avelada Reserva da Familia Minho Alvarinho 2016 $36
While most imported albariño we see in NZ comes from Spain’s Rias Baixas region, fans of the grape will be chuffed to know that there are some right rumpty Portuguese versions around also. Using fruit from Minho, in the Vinho Verde region, Aveleda ferment it in a combo of large oak barrels and stainless steel … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Sat Aug 4th 2018
Month 8! Celebrate the Augustness of having made it to two thirds of the way through 2018 with three superb sips… Avelada Reserva da Familia Minho Alvarinho 2016 $36 While most imported albariño we see in NZ comes from Spain’s Rias Baixas region, fans of the grape will be chuffed to know that there are … Read More