Author: Yvonne Lorkin

Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2019 (NZ$29) Returning to his dry-style roots not seen since 2013, winemaker Gordon Russell has taken fruit for the first time from Ian and Linda Quinn’s Two Terraces Vineyard located west of Hastings in Maraekakaho where they grow two clones of chenin, 220 and 880.  Handpicked, cooled overnight and gently pressed to…

Selaks 1934 Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 (NZ $16.99) Created in homage to the year that Marino Selak sold his first vintage of wine, this new range boasts a chardonnay that I’m certain will become a ‘best value classic’.  I say that because for sixteen bucks you have a wine that’s absolutely heaving with pineapple, peach, guava and a lick of…

Hunter’s Wines Home Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 (NZ$30) They might be one of Marlborough (nay, New Zealand’s) oldest and most successful wine companies, but it’s taken them until now to declare an ‘icon’ release Sauvignon Blanc.  Their young winemaker, James Macdonald has been fizzing at the bung to test what’s possible with sauvignon blanc, whilst retaining the ‘Marlboroughness’ of…

Te Awanga Estate Mister Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 NZ$21.99 Word on the street is that 2019 was a cracker of a year in Hawke’s Bay for chardonnay and this little Rod McDonald creation definitely doesn’t let the side down.  It’s a seriously sippable, grin-inducing burst of nectarine, lemon zest, creamy almond and brulee notes.  There’s even a lick of popcorn…

Spy Valley Echelon Marlborough Methodé Traditionnelle 2012 NZ$36.99 I was completely seduced by the tiny, fine bead inside the glass, white gold, glossy, aromas of rising dough, crusty bread, caramelised character and richly structured.  Full, generous, incredibly elegant and finely structured in the mouth.  So stylish, textural and incredibly satisfying. For more information about this wine go to www.spyvalleywine.co.nz Review originally…

Riptide Waitaki Dry Riesling 2018 $30 If you’re looking for a ‘wham bam thank you ma’am, fruit-fest of a Riesling, then you’ve come to the wrong place here.  Winemaker Renan Theilloux has gone against the grain, creating a style that has beautiful boniness, minerality and succulence while keeping its structure from being whole-cluster fermented in a combo of stainless steel…

Misha’s Vineyard Cantata Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 $30 The good folk at Misha’s Vineyard have explained that a ‘Cantata’ is taken from the Italian word ‘cantere’, which means ‘to sing’.  It’s a vocal composition with an instrumental accompaniment apparently, and rather more complex than “I Wanna Be Sedated” (which was a great song by the Ramones, but hardly a…

Moana Park Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc NV  $24.99 While the print on the label did remind me of a B&B bedspread and the brown writing is all a bit 1990’s wedding invitation, once that cork is popped, it’s all modern class and style. Scented with almond, lemon shortbread and cream, there’s an underlying bagel dough note leading to a…

Te Mata Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018 NZ$29 An ultra-fresh pinot noir that pushes fruit and spice out to the edges of the mouth, youthful yet intensely savoury cherry and hedgerow fruit focus, it’s a lovely thing to drink and demonstrates great potential for Hawke’s Bay pinot noir.  The tannins have great cling and chew and it has excellent…