With aromas of dust-covered blackberries, fresh tamarillo and peppercorn characters followed by a palate oozing ripe berries and chocolate, stacks up to create slippery-smooth, flavoursome, local example of a Spanish superstar. Juicy, vibrant and dangerously easy to drink. www.blackmarket.co.nz
Author: Yvonne
Velenosi Lacrima de Morro d’Alba 2014 $25 ★★★★
This is the first time I’ve ever tried the ‘Lacrima’ variety, and grows in Velenois’s own vineyards in the coastal municipality of Ancona in Italy’s Marche region. The bottle is a cute, stumpy shape that I love. Then the smell of roses, violets and cranberries and pomegranate all cascade into the palate and smash into … Read More
Wine column week commencing 30th April, 2016
Sometimes when I’m in the supermarket wine aisle, I like to stand back and sneakily watch what people are buying and how they’re buying it. Yes, it’s slightly creepy behavior I’ll admit, but it’s amazing the patterns that emerge. There’s one group of people who appear to know exactly what they’ve come for and make … Read More
Rod McDonald Wines One Off Gisborne Albariño 2015 $23 ★★★★
There’s a whiff of gunflint and smashed river rocks, watercress, lemongrass and salty seabreeze happening on the nose, followed by a tsunami of steely acidity, bony minerality and crunchy green apple characters. There’s a smoky tone to the finish which is long and zesty and makes this wine truly magical with lemon and parmesan risotto. … Read More
Coopers Creek Bell Ringer Gisborne Albarino 2015 $22 ★★★★½
Winemaker Simon Nunns has crafted a distinctly limey, lipsmackingly dry and intensely mineral-driven albariño from Gisborne’s Bell vineyard. It’s got real presence and poise and truckloads of tangy stonefruit notes, yet it’s beautifully balanced and delicate at the same time. Sensational with pan seared groper steaks drizzled with lemon. www.cooperscreek.co.nz
Left Field Gisborne Albariño 2015 $17.99 ★★★★
Attractive aromas of white nectarine, crushed shells, hints of brine and roadside daisies. The acidity is piercing and devastatingly dry (in a good way). It’s a wine that’ll kickstart even the most jaded of tastebuds and have them crying out for more tastes and flavours. Ultra-cleansing stonefruit, hints of lemon lift it even further on … Read More
Matawhero Gisborne Albarino 2014 $25 ★★★½
While it’s bold and golden in the glass, you’ll need to dig deep in the nose department. But it’s worth the effort because you’ll uncover subtle lemon verbena, white nectarine and wild flowers, while on the palate it’s seriously, palate-exfoliatingly dry. Matawhero’s owners, Kirsten and Richard Searle, are clearly fans of the variety, and this … Read More
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Albariño 2015 $17.99 ★★★★
I really like this wine because it’s bracingly fresh and shows classic white flesh peach, nectarine and lemony characters alongside a squeak of apricot stone, crushed shells, hints of salt and has a vibrant, racy finish. Very tangy and fresh and has a long, mineral-edged finish. www.villamaria.co.nz
Wine column week commencing 7 May, 2016
Arriba Albariño!! New Zealand’s breakout, white grape star Albariño, might have it’s historic home in the North West of Spain and Northern Portugal, but it’s also achieving degrees of distinction in the east coast gloriousness of Gisborne. Pronounced Al-Barr (roll your rrrs) – Een-Yo and first planted in the region back in 2009 albariño is … Read More
Bodegas Gancedo Capricho Val de Paxarinas Godello 2014 $29 ★★★★½
Godello (pronounced God-Ay-Yo) means “small indulgence”, and I for one am totally treating myself to more than one bottle of this. Blended with a touch of Dona Blanca grapes, I love the aromas of apricot stone, lemon pith, crushed oyster shells and white peach. Sourced from the region of Bierzo in Northwest Spain, the bursts … Read More