Tiny amounts of handpicked sangiovese were fermented wild on their skins inside 500 litre clay amphorae for six months then rested another 6 months in traditional terracotta vessels before being transferred to this gorgeous wax-sealed bottle. Naturally handled with no additional sulphites, it’s exceptionally delicious. Bright, vibrant, dark fruit, floral intensity and buckets of pepper, … Read More
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Clos Marguerite Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 $46 (4 stars)
Perfumed with baked plum and cherry notes, it also boasts soft, savoury, creamy layers on the palate. Named after Marguerite, winemaker Jean-Charles’ wife, this pinot noir is much like her, complex, delicate and yet boasts lovely depth of character. It’s a lovely example that’s maturing nicely and would be amazing with spicy, red curry duck. … Read More
Buller Wines Calliope Rutherglen Shiraz 2010 $49.99 (5 stars)
With its intensely concentrated, ripe red fruits, Christmas pudding spices and masses of cherry and blackcurrant flavours, this shiraz had me swooning. Seven years since vintage and the acidity is incredibly fresh and juicy, while the tannins are deliciously dusty and have lovely grip. Made from century-old vines, this Aussie beauty is named after the … Read More
Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Le Sol Syrah 2015 $135 (5stars)
Let’s cut straight to it. This is a magical monster of a wine and it’s only created in years when the fruit is exceptional – which is not good if you have OCD, but great if you worship gorgeous syrah at the highest level. Perfumed with peppercorn, violets, dark berryfruit and dried herbs, with a … Read More
Sacred Hill Brokenstone 2015 $42.99 (5 stars)
With a name taken from an old Sacred Hill vineyard known as ‘stoney broke’, the Brokenstone is now considered one of New Zealand’s most iconic merlot-based reds. The 2015 is a blend of merlot, malbec, syrah, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc and it’s absolutely sensational. Matured for 19 months in French oak, layers of cedar, … Read More
Church Road TOM Syrah 2014 $200 (5 stars)
That’s correct. Two. Hundred. Dollars. But think about the last thing you spent $200 on and I guarantee it won’t be anywhere near as satisfying and succulent as this wine. The syrah fruit was sourced from Bridge Pa (just sublime syrah dirt there) and immediately you’re hit with the most exotic, alluring perfume of soft … Read More
Three Miners Central Otago Pinot Noir 2016 $38 (4 stars)
The tiny sub-region of Earnscleugh (between Alexandra and Clyde, on the Clutha River) is where Three Miners is located and where their magic is manifested. I love this pinot noir because it’s so bright and spicy. Soaked through with smoked strawberries, rhubarb, zesty, black tea and cherry flavours, it’s plush, perky and a fabulous example … Read More
Archangel Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 $35 (4.5 stars)
There’s a word that immediately springs to mind when you sip this wine and that’s “whoompha!”. Bold, dark berries, clouds of cocoa and cherry-soaked layers of flavour, this is a pinot noir that’ll have you howling at the moon. Solid, furry tannins dial the chew-factor up to fifteen and winemaker Pete Bartle has really made … Read More
Yvonne Lorkin Canvas Column for Saturday 18th Nov 2017
Great pinot noir is moody and mysterious and versatile and magical and alluring and will give you the power to not click on all those soul-sapping yoga-app ads on Facebook. Coal Pit Central Otago Rosé 2017 $26.95 (4 stars) With its enticing aromas of candyfloss, creaming soda and Eton Mess pudding, this shiny new pinot … Read More
Bird Wines Big Barrel Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $29.95 (4 stars)
Steve Bird employs the ‘Vernou Roll’ method to make this wine. A process where he uses big old 900L barrels for fermentation and maturation. Gently rolling the barrels regularly to allow greater integration of the oak flavours and the grippy, textural components. Red rose, black cherry, smoke and a deeply succulent texture makes this one … Read More