Nautilus Estate Marlborough Albariño 2019

December 2, 2019By Yvonne

Nautilus Estate Marlborough Albariño 2019 ($29) Paired with Gazpacho by Annabel Langbein Canvas Dec 7th 2019 One of the greatest food and wine combos to ever occur is that of this superlatively lovely Spanish soup and a sip or seven of Spain’s signature white wine, albariño.  Happily, Clive Jones and his scarily talented team in … Read More

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Albariño 2018

June 24, 2019By Yvonne

Tohu Whenua Matua Nelson Albariño 2018 $29.99 bright white peach and white pepper aromatics, hints of apricot, mid-palate richness and nicely balanced acidity.  Citrus oil notes on the finish (almost viognier-like) – nice minerality and a creamy undertone, high phenolics and fantastic length of flavour.  Albariño has very loose ‘bunch architecture’ which suits Nelson’s humidity. … Read More

Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Albariño 2018

May 9, 2019By Yvonne

Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Albariño 2018 $28 This is New Zealand’s version of the best of what Spain can offer, incredibly focused, pure and dry and heaving with lemon and oyster shells.  Sourced from the Bridge Pa region, in their iron-rich, red gravels, the acidity is like all the cutty-grass (or pampas grass if … Read More

Wine column week commencing 7 May, 2016

April 18, 2017By Yvonne

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

Spade Oak Heart of Gold Gisborne Albarino 2015 $23 (3.5 stars)

March 29, 2017By Yvonne

Spade Oak were one of New Zealand’s early Albarino adopters, with owners Steve and Eileen Voysey opting to aim towards a lean, lemony, elegantly European-styled example from their Gisborne vineyards. I like the subtle citrus blossom aromas and the quartz dust minerality on the palate. Consume super-chilled with prawn, pork and coriander dumplings – yummo! … Read More

Babich Headwaters Marlborough Albarino 2015 $22.99 (5 stars)

March 29, 2017By Yvonne

Intoxicating initial aromas of wildflower pollen and sunbaked limestone are followed by an intensely juicy, citrus-forward series of flavours in this local version of a Spanish classic.  I love the deliciously chalky layers on the finish and it’s lipsmackingly fresh length of flavour.  Organically grown and created with excellent attention to detail – it’s a … Read More

Rod McDonald Wines One Off Gisborne Albariño

May 5, 2016By Yvonne

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 … Read More

Coopers Creek Bell Ringer Gisborne Albarino

May 5, 2016By 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 … Read More

Left Field Gisborne Albarino

May 5, 2016By Yvonne

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 … Read More

Arriba Albarino

May 5, 2016By Yvonne

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