This is one of those wines that when someone pours it from across the room, you can smell it metres away. Winemaker Kate Radburnd is a cabernet perfectionist and only the best go to bottle in a ‘small batch’. Classic cabernet aromas of liquorice, leather, menthol and bitter cocoa. I love the underlying Christmas pudding … Read More
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Seresin OSIP Organic Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $28.50
Named after a relative of founder Michael Seresin, the OSIP wines are the result of a decade-long project to remove additions in the winery. Winemaker Clive Dougall and the crazy organic, biodynamic kids at Seresin have taken things even further in their ‘hands off’ approach by opting to avoid adding any sulphur and non-naturals AND … Read More
Sea Level Home Block Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 $27.50
Winemaker Simon Smail has let loose on his own label here, and the results are predictably top of the leader board. Gorgeous aromas of wild strawberries, herbal tea, cherry, hints of fruitwood smoke, rhubarb leaf and concentrated cranberry characters make it a new favourite sip for me. The tannins are juicy and elastic and the … Read More
Matané Primitivo Puglia IGT 2015 $21.99
If you thought all primitivo was in the ‘big gun’ class, then here’s your happy place because this slippery, spicy and succulent example from the Salento peninsula is ‘easy like Sunday morning’ in the sipping-stakes. Fruitcake, cherries, damson plums and boysenberries are warmly wrapped in a cardigan of cocoa and liberally laced with raspberry liquorice … Read More
Secco-Bertani Original Vintage Edition 2014 $43
A classic-yet-powerful Veronese blend of 80% corvina, 10% sangiovese, and 5% each of syrah and cabernet sauvignon, this is a monster-good wine. It’s a new arrival and there’s precious little available, so you’ll need to jump quick. Bursting with violet, cranberry, pomegranate, and cherry aromatics, plus redcurrant, cedar and a snifter of cola on the … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday March 10th 2018
No, today is not World Glaucoma Awareness Day. That’s on Monday 12th. Red wine helps maintain good eyesight, so try these lovelies and never cock up your calendar again. Matané Primitivo Puglia IGT 2015 $21.99 If you thought all primitivo was in the ‘big gun’ class, then here’s your happy place because this slippery, spicy … Read More
Bosco del Grillo Governo All’Uso Toscana IGT 2015 $22
Even though it’s basically a Chianti at 80% sangiovese, because the Bosco team blended in 10% merlot, 5% cabernet sauvignon and 5% colorino grapes means the wine has to slap on the IGT tag instead. But they ain’t ‘bovvered,’ and I couldn’t be happier. It’s an elegant, generous wine with lashings of violets, spice, and … Read More
Kina Beach Vineyard Nelson Pinot Noir 2015 $30 (3.5 stars)
Here’s a lovely, bright, fruit saturated pinot that’s packed with spice and personality. Lifted and light on the palate, there’s a saucy, strawberries-and-cream character to round out the lengthy finish. It’s a crowd-pleaser pinot that’ll lend itself to any occasion. Nicely made. www.kinabeach.co.nz
Oak Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 $23 (4.5 stars)
Scented with boysenberry, bay leaf, blueberries, pepper and leather, there’s also a lick of vanilla which wraps itself around big, muscular, pumping tannins, making this a definite new favourite in my house! Dry, yet curvy and complex, it’s a merlot with excellent concentration and sippability. Try it before it disappears! www.oakestatewines.co.nz
Perelada Jardins Blended Red 2015 $19.99
Named in homage to the beautifully perfumed gardens (jardins) that legendary Parisienne landscape designer Francois Duvilliers designed for Count Perelada’s Spanish castle in the mid 1800’s. This curious blend of Monastrell Grenache, Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon is a floral, spice-fest with an earthy, truffle-like, dried herb edge to the deep berry layers in the … Read More