Parusso Dolcetto D’Alba Piani Noce DOC 2013

31 March 2016By Yvonne

Parusso Dolcetto D’Alba Piani Noce DOC 2013 $32 ★★★★ Spice, spice and more spice is what you’ll get in every mouthful of this tasty Italian stallion.  The Parusso estate is located right at the border between the Castiglion Falletto and Monforte d’Alba appellation of Barolo and Armando Parusso’s son and daughter, Marco and Tiziana Parusso … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015

31 March 2016By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 $24 ★★★★½ I love the aroma of butterscotch, creamy peaches, buttered crumpets and on the palate expect exactly the same but followed by smooth, smoky notes, creamy citrus and gently tropical flavours that wash across a long, persistent finish.  It’s a satisfying, old-school style.  www.millsreef.co.nz

Kalex Central Otago Rose Brut 2012

31 March 2016By Yvonne

Kalex Central Otago Rose Brut 2012 $39 ★★★★ I love the pretty rose-gold colour in the glass, but we all know looks aren’t everything.  So I was reassured to find it has alluring aromas of shrewsbury biscuit, berry bagel and soft, toasted nutty flavours in the mouth, followed by a hint of cherry on the … Read More

Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2013

31 March 2016By Yvonne

Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2013 $25 ★★★★½ Named after the way that the soils dry out so much they crack and break the roots of the vines (which is actually a good thing because it controls the natural vigour of the vine) this shiraz has all those desirable pepper, liquorice, cocoa dust and cherry-berry … Read More

Wine talk: Sweet wines

29 March 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 29 Mar 2016   Life without the occasional sticky treat would be so boring.  Wines that are indulgently delicious, swoon-inducingly sweet, yet make all the cavities in your teeth scream bloody murder with every sip.  Bring it on!   Pegasus Bay Aria Late Picked Riesling 2014 750ml  $30 ★★★★★ Wow.  … Read More

Fifty Shades of Gris…

29 March 2016By Yvonne

Published NZME Regional Newspapers Tue 29 Mar 2016   Back in the early 2000’s when I said goodbye to my loved ones, packed up my corkscrew and set out to seek my fortune in this wine writing caper, things were already on the turn.  There was change in the air, confusion and wonder.  The rules … Read More

Three wines to turn to…

26 March 2016By Yvonne

Published NZ Herald Sat 26 Mar 2016   Hands up if you’re trying to sell your house right now.  We’re having open homes so I understand.  I’ve been trying to keep our house unnaturally spotless and uncluttered and my ‘soft furnishings’ meticulously coordinated for an entire fortnight and I am on the precipice of monsterdom.  … Read More

Beach House Gimblett Gravels Montepulciano 2013

22 March 2016By Yvonne

Beach House Gimblett Gravels Montepulciano 2013 $45 ★★★★★ I swear the wines made by the small but perfectly formed team at Beach House wines on Hawke’s Bay’s Te Awanga Coast, just get better with every passing year.  Crafted from fruit sourced in the sun-trap that is the Gimblett Gravels (it’s always at least 2 degrees … Read More

Grove Mill Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013

22 March 2016By Yvonne

Grove Mill Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2013 $22 ★★★★★ Gewurz-hounds ahoy!  If you go gaga for classic lychee-soaked, ginger-kissed, peach-packed gewürztraminer, then this little gem will have you swooning.  Especially when you find out it’s a mere $22.  The perfume is exotic, the fruit sweet and tangy, and it feels mouthwatering and silky to drink.  Why are … Read More

Costa Tenute Nebbiolo d’alba DOC

22 March 2016By Yvonne

Costa Tenute Nebbiolo d’alba DOC $29.90 ★★★★ Sourced from Italy’s southern Piedmonte region, this nebbiolo oozes clove, sarsaparilla and raspberry notes, yet in the mouth the tannins exhibit real grip and have good ‘chew factor’ alongside violet, pepper and solid fruit concentration.  It’s a meaty red wine that’ll be just perfect the next time you … Read More