September 30th already? Sipping these will help me deal with that startling news… Ceres Black Rabbit Riesling 2017 $27.99 Holy apple sorbet Batman! This is one heck of a magnificent riesling from a stunning Central Otago site. True to its namesake, boy does this riesling have bounce! Crunchy green apple, ripe, juicy lime and truckloads … Read More
Black Stilt Waitaki Valley Riesling 2014 $25 (3.5 stars)
Waitaki sits on the border of North Otago and South Canterbury, and it’s one of the most remote and raw parts of the country. It has a kind of other-worldly feel to it, and the quality of the wines that come from the lime-laden soils of Richie McCaw country have power, purity and personality to … Read More
Veuve Laperrière Brut Rose NV $17 (4 stars)
If you prefer your rosé to froth and fizz, then this is going to seriously float your boat. Created in France’s Loire (“loo-aah”) Valley, this is a super-smooth, berries-and-cream-crammed wine that has really seductive mouthfeel. There’s a squeak of sweetness and spice, alongside a rich, slightly nutty finish. Richly structured, it’s a real crowd-pleaser and … Read More
Rockburn Stolen Kiss Rosé 2017 $29 (4.5 stars)
If alien beings arrived from outer space, held weapons to your head and demanded know in 5 seconds flat what New Zealand’s most famous rosé was, you’d best yell out “Stolen Kiss” or you’re custard. It’s a sweetly fruity pink treat with a creaming soda, candy floss, raspberry, nectarine and toffee apple tone to it. … Read More
Hunter’s MiruMiru Methode Traditionelle Brut NV $28.90 (5 stars)
From the first sniff and sip, you’ll completely understand why this is one of the most highly awarded sparkling wines in the country and a much-loved favourite of mine. Generous and lush, with rising dough and smoky aromatics, stonefruit and citrus wash across the palate leaving a rich creamy, textural finish. It’s fresh, stylish and … Read More
Hunter’s MiruMiru Reserve 2013 $49.90 (5 stars)
I adore the biscuit-like aromas of this absolute aristocrat. The almond meal, rising dough notes and serious mid-palate richness in every sip make this a hugely satisfying wine that’s not only long and flavoursome, but also shows real finesse and delicacy. There’s a creamy cashew and lemon-like complexity in this 60% pinot noir 40% chardonnay … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin wine column for week beginning Sat 23 Sept 2017
Hunter’s of bubbles… If you stopped someone random in the street and asked them to name New Zealand’s top sparkling wine brands in ten seconds flat –I reckon they’d be able to rattle off the big commercial names, the Lindauer’s, Morton’s, Daniel Le Brun’s, maybe Deutz and Cloudy Bay and then they’d probably begin to … Read More
Rockburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2016 $24
Crafted from fruit sourced from Rockburn’s ‘Parkburn’ and ‘Gibbston Valley Back Road’ vineyards, I love the subtle splash of white pepper, nashi pear, fennel and white peach on both the nose and palate of this wine. Dry, clean and boasting underlying creamy, chalky textures and real fruit fullness, this beautifully balanced gris is long and … Read More
Ka Tahi Rescue Rosé 2017 $19
Produced by the team at Ka Tahi to help raise funds for the Lowe Corporation Hawke’s Bay Rescue Helicopter Trust, every sip of this 86:14 blend of merlot and pinot noir has feel-good factor. Dry and snappy and saturated with boysenberry, cherry and red fruits, a squeak of pepper adds complexity to the finish. An … Read More
Kidnapper Cliffs Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2014 $54
Richard Painter is the winemaker responsible for this mind-numbingly gorgeous chardonnay. The first sip made me want to get all Spinal Tap on it and turn my rating up to 11 out of 10. Vibrant and golden in the glass, with ripe, sexy grapefruit, peach and pineapple notes, it also possesses gunflint and quartzy, minerally … Read More