Mother’s Day tomorrow means spending money today and she loves wine. If you’re a day or so late with delivery don’t fret, but don’t skimp either… Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $22 You’ve heard the saying “You do the Mahi, you get the treats”, it’s totally true with wine too. Meaning ‘work’ in Maori, Mahi’s … Read More
Wild River North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $13.99 (4 stars)
2017 was a tricky vintage for Cantabrian wine producers, but Catherine Keith and Tony Rutherford made a cracking go of it to turn out tangy, lemony, passionfruity sauvignon blanc that will keep the crowds happy at that Spring wedding or for those family fish and chip Friday nights. www.centrecity.co.nz
Boekenhoutskloof The Wolftrap Franschhoek Viognier Chenin Blanc Grenache Blanc 2015 $22 (4 stars)
This is one of my go to wines of the moment and this blend of 48% viognier 41% Chenin Blanc and 11% grenache blanc should be on your shopping list too. Layers of white peach, apple, hints of citrus oil and jasmine and a mash-up of minerality on the finish make it a complex, juicy, … Read More
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $21.99 (4 stars)
The team at Richmond Plains produced New Zealand’s first vegan-friendly sauvignon blanc from fully-certified organic and biodynamic grapes years ago, and this new vintage could be their best one yet. Lemongrassy, lighty-structured and showing leafy, herbaceous notes alongside a hint of feijoa that stitches it all together. It’s a ripe, bouncy, citrus-stacked sauvignon blanc that … Read More
Obsidian Reserve Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2017 $48 (5 stars)
The stylish, chablis-like elegance of this wine made it an absolute showstopper for me. I love the purity of fruit, intense citrus and minerality on the mid-palate, its peachy backbone and the dusting of subtle nutty notes on the finish. It’s a beautifully balanced example that will leave you shaking your head in a state … 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
Te Kano Estate Central Otago Chardonnay 2017 $35 (5 stars)
Aroma-wise this wine absolutely rocks the house with grilled grapefruit, biscuity characters and beautiful creme caramel characters. Chock full of ripe stonefruit, yet it’s restrained, creamy and supremely elegant to drink. It’s an incredibly stylish wine, softly spiced and boasting cashew and brulee layers on the finish. Just gorgeous! www.tekanoestate.com
Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 $29 (4 stars)
Scooping silver at the NZ International Wine Competition is no mean feat, but this intensely cherry and berry-focused pinot noir hits all the sweet spots. Succulent, juicy mildly spiced and nicely balanced, there’s an earthy, generosity with this wine that I really like. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
Moët & Chandon Grand Vintage 2009 $100 (5 stars)
To clarify, Moët rhymes with ‘poet’. So from today. It’s not okay. To say ‘mow-way’. When the Chef de Cave (French for ‘Chief Winemaker’) Benoît Gouez declares a ‘vintage’ it’s something to notice because the quality doth skyrocket. This is the 73rd time in the history of Moët that it’s happened. Aged for 7 years … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning May 5 2018
I made the mistake of hauling the heavy wooden box holding all of our family photos down from the top shelf in my wardrobe right when I needed to be knuckling down to work. “I’ll just take a peek at one or two” I said to myself. One or two rapidly became an avalanche of … Read More