Fontanafredda Le Fronde Moscato d’Asti 2013

June 19, 2019By Yvonne

Fontanafredda Le Fronde Moscato d’Asti 2013 $35 At just 5% alcohol, this is a super-light, super-sweet little sip that’ll perk up even the most jaded tastebuds.  Forget any past experiences with bad old, mass-produced Asti because this is the genuine article.  Pure, uncut awesomeness.  With a deliciously delicate, creamy mousse, lifted, musky apricot and honeysuckle … Read More

Howard Park Margaret River Miamup Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 $30 ★★★★

April 6, 2017By Yvonne

An instant hit of crushed blackberry and blackcurrant that’s edged with rooibos tea and hints of tobacco means it’s clearly an overachiever in the aroma stakes.  It ranks up with the prefects in palate-weight too with dark, elegantly structured , smoky, cedary oak, chewy cabernet tannins and a choco-spice finish.  ‘Miamup road’ runs between Cowaramup and Wilyabrup, … Read More

Pask Small Batch Sur Lie Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2013 $25 (4 stars)

April 4, 2017By Yvonne

Just 250 cases were made of this juicy, light, unoaked style of chardonnay designed to highlight and enhance the natural, clean, tropical and stonefruit flavours present in those gorgeous grapes. Extended time on its yeast lees has added a subtle layer of creaminess to the bold,grapefruity backbone of this wine. Creamy with Crayfish mornay… www.pask.co.nz

Cottier Estate Gladstone Pinot Gris 2013 $17.50 (5 stars)

April 3, 2017By Yvonne

The rocky old Ruamahanga River in Gladstone nourishes Cottier Estate’s vineyards and helps them create classically full, generous pinot gris like this.  Pinot gris that’s packed with pear, ripe juicy rose apple, nashi and a squeak of quince all crash across the tastebuds in this beautifully balanced aromatic white. Fat and sassy on the palate, … Read More

Clark Estate Marlborough Noble Pinot Gris 2013 375ml $13.50 (5 stars)

March 30, 2017By Yvonne

Very sexy and golden in the glass, with a glossy yellow diamond colour, there’s an instant “I want that now!” desire as soon as you see it poured.  Aromas of honey, beeswax and musk lead to roast quince, peach and pear on the palate.  The acidity is refreshing and balances out the intense natural sweetness … Read More

La Valentina Fiano 2013

March 31, 2016By Yvonne

La Valentina Fiano 2013 $35  ★★★★ Fiano is an ancient grape traditionally grown in Campania, Southern Italy and the grapes for this example are grown in San Valentino, a hillside town in the province of Pescara. Every November, Pescara hosts the Festa dei Cornuti, a parade that either (and here’s where things get blurry) supports … Read More

Parusso Dolcetto D’Alba Piani Noce DOC 2013

March 31, 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

Penny’s Hill Cracking Black Shiraz 2013

March 31, 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

Beach House Gimblett Gravels Montepulciano 2013

March 22, 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