The Clare Valley in South Australia is considered a cool-climate area and that’s why the folks at Taylors were quick to snap up the historic St Andrews vineyard and revitalised the old chardonnay vines. Luscious grapefruit and poached apricot add to its peachy complexity. Succulent and even a teensy bit spicy with a slick of … Read More
Cicada Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015 $25 (4 stars)
Crafted by Kevin Courtney and his team at Riverby Estate in Marlborough, this is a hot blooded, power gewürztraminer. There’s nothing blousy here, just a magic melange of lychee, ginger, grain spirit and a flinty, dry-as-dry texture. If you’ve been hesitant to venture back to gewürztraminer because of sickly sweet memories from decades ago then … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 14 October 2017
When it comes to glassware, to bring out the best in my wine I’m a bit of a nut. It’s got to be a good glass, and by good, I don’t mean expensive. It just has to have a decent bowl at the bottom so I can swirl the wine properly, I should be able … Read More
Bodegas Olivares Dulce Monastrell 2013 500ml $63
Looking for the ultimate sweet red wine? Deep in the heart of Jumilla in Spain grows a patch of ancient, ungrafted, monastrell vines owned by Bodegas Olivares. The bunches are left on the vine long into the autumn to naturally begin to raisin. This concentrates the blackcurrant intensity and spicy, caramelized characters, resulting in a … Read More
Neudorf Tom’s Block Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 $33
Opting to preserve every smidge of natural purity of flavour that viticulturist Richard Flatman has managed to coax into the pinot noir from Tom’s Block, winemaker Todd Stevens has bottled this wine without fining or filtration. It’s paid off in that it’s bursting with black tea, wild raspberry and cherry layers that wrap around zesty … Read More
Domaine Servin Chablis 2015 $41.99
The Servin family has been crafting light and lovely, citrus-soaked Chablis since 1654. 1654! So they know a thing or three about growing great chardonnay and guess what. They’re French and they’re using screwcaps! Chablis is a style of chardonnay where oak is downplayed or not used at all. Fresh as a daisy and erupting … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column Sat Oct 14th 2017
Red, white and sweet – it’s a smorgasbord of treats this weekend! Domaine Servin Chablis 2015 $41.99 The Servin family has been crafting light and lovely, citrus-soaked Chablis since 1654. 1654! So they know a thing or three about growing great chardonnay and guess what. They’re French and they’re using screwcaps! Chablis is a style … Read More
Bellbird Spring Home Block White 2015 $32 (4.5 stars)
Guy Porter has blended together an eyebrow-raising combo of riesling, muscat, gewürztraminer and pinot gris from his family vineyard on Georges Road, Waipara to create a wine redolent of yellow roses and grandma’s overnight bag – perfumed and sweet on the nose. In the mouth it has juicy white peach and persimmon notes, refreshing creamy … Read More
Hawkes Ridge Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2013 $30 (4 stars)
One thing the RD9 district does supremely well, is grow great pinot noir. It’s where a large chunk of pinot is grown for some of New Zealand’s most famed sparkling wine bases. Julie and Douglas Haines have created a HUGE pinot noir here, with more meat on its bones than is typical, but it’s a … Read More
The Family Company ‘Cosmos’ Methode Traditionelle $25 (3.5 stars)
“All life begins with a bang” says winemaker John Thorpe of his fun, Gisborne-grown sparkler. Cosmos is made from 100% Chardonnay aged for just over two years in bottle before being released, it’s scented with lemon, breadcrust and yellow plum, and also boasts tangy citrus pith, nutty notes and creamy complexity on the finish. www.gisbornegourmet.com