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
Author: Yvonne
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
Misty Cove Pippa Methode Traditionelle Rose NV $29 ★★★★
Much darker than conventional rose bubbles due to the juice spending some extra time on its skins, this is an ultra-dry, bony-textured fizz that shows watermelon, raspberry leaf and mineral-rich peppery notes on the finish. Really unusual and powerfully structured, it’s an unusually strong, muscular methode – and one you should try. For stockists near … Read More
Omaka Springs Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015 $18 ★★★★
This is a crisp, lipsmacking example with all the classic hallmarks of quince, nashi pear, spicy apple and musky, tropical tones that I certainly look for in good gris. Satisfying, super-sippable and just a really tasty wine that’s perfect for these chilly, autumn afternoons. www.omaka.co.nz
Sacred Hill Halo Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015 $27 ★★★★
From the first sip I was pretty much seduced – mainly because I knew that if I were disciplined enough to pop some of this away for another year or three, it’ll turn into something rather triumphant. Poached cherry, cocoa and pepper notes lead to a juicy, berry-driven wine with freshness and decent chew-factor on … Read More