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
Author: Yvonne
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
Cambridge Road Martinborough Papillon Rosé 2015 $25 ★★★★½
Crafted from a blend of 52% pinot gris, 36% pinot noir and 12% chardonnay, this fast became a new favourite of mine. With just 2500 bottles being made, you’ll need to be in quick because winemaker Lance Redgwell and his wife Bridie are on to a total winner here. Produced using organic and biodynamic techniques, … Read More
Wine column week commencing 14 May, 2016
Cambridge Road Martinborough Papillon Rosé 2015 $25 ★★★★½ Crafted from a blend of 52% pinot gris, 36% pinot noir and 12% chardonnay, this fast became a new favourite of mine. With just 2500 bottles being made, you’ll need to be in quick because winemaker Lance Redgwell and his wife Bridie are on to a total … Read More
Amisfield Lowburn Terrace Central Otago Riesling 2014 $25 ★★★★★
This is an absolute cracker of a riesling. I’m loving the super-clean, super-citrusy, lime, lemon curd and Pacific Queen apple characters. At a positively demure 8.5% alcohol, it certainly wont send you sideways and there’s a hefty splash of mandarin and nectarine-like sweetness in the mid-palate to keep you buoyant. Winemaker Dr Stephanie Lambert is … Read More
Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Chardonnay 2015 $19 ★★★½
Toast and roast peach characters on the nose lead to a biscuity, complex, dry style of chardonnay on the palate. There’s a squeak of grilled apricot and honey on the finish alongside a seam of clean acidity running it’s entire length. Fans of toasty, oaky chardonnays will enjoy this wine. Sip with creamy smoked chicken … Read More