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
Author: Yvonne
Matawhero Gisborne Albarino 2014
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 … Read More
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gisborne Albarino 2015
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. … Read More
Neudorf Rosie’s Block Nelson Chardonnay
Neudorf Rosie’s Block Nelson Chardonnay 2015 $33 ★★★★ Five different clones were hand harvested, fermented with wild yeasts and blended to create this buttered-crumpet-smelling chardonnay, which quickly unveils a backbone of grilled nectarine and grapefruit pith alongside deliciously textural, creamy almond characters in the mid palate. It’s a juicy, cheek-puckering style that pretty much makes … Read More
Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah
Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 $48 ★★★★ This Esk Valley producer is on its way to completing a radical turnaround of fortunes, from being run into virtual non-existence, it’s been rescued and revitalised by sparkie-turned-winemaker Trevor Shepherd, who clearly has a knack for creating quality syrah. Intensely spicy and showing plum, dark berries, … Read More
Allan Scott Marlborough Riesling
Allan Scott Marlborough Riesling 2014 $18 ★★★½ Aromas of green apple, carrot cake spices and musky, honeysuckle and apricot kernel characters all merge together on the palate and crash into a wave of sweetness. There’s a soft, grainy texture to the finish of this tangy example that’ll definitely appeal to those who prefer a more … Read More
Greystone Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Greystone Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $22 ★★★★½ This is one seriously tropical, juicy, succulent sauvignon blanc from the nor-wester buffetted, limestone-laden slopes of North Canterbury. Deeply textural, powdery and mineral-edged, there’s a wildly tasty wave of nectarine, preserved lemon and crushed green herbs in every mouthful too. Winemaker Dom Maxwell is an evil genius and … Read More
Neudorf Maggies Block Nelson Pinot Gris 2015
Neudorf Maggies Block Nelson Pinot Gris 2015 $26 ★★★★ The thing that really impressed me was the immediate aromatic hit of baked apple, crushed sea-shells and spice. It’s a lean, dry, ultra-clean style of pinot gris that has tightwire acidity on the palate and a long, chalky finish. I’d be sipping this with slowcooked pork … Read More
Ka Tahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015
Ka Tahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 $15 ★★★ Wow! Super-fruity and loaded with lemon, peach, passionfruit and lime, this is a snappy sauvignon that will really please the crowds. It’s not an intellectual wine by any stretch, it’s just a Make sure you serve it chilled down to enhance the tangy texture. For stockists near … Read More
Nga Waka ‘Lease Block’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014
Nga Waka ‘Lease Block’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 $50 ★★★★½ I fell in love with the concentration and intensity of this wine from the very first sip. With so much lush, ripe red fruit and vibrant spices on the nose, you think it’s going to taste over the top and flouncy. However the cocoa, cherry … Read More