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
albarino
Coopers Creek Bell Ringer Gisborne Albarino
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
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
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
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
Waimea Nelson Albariño 2015
Waimea Nelson Albariño 2015 $25 ★★★★★ Albariño is a signature Spanish white variety that clearly loves its new home in Nelson by the looks of things. The team at Waimea have seriously outdone themselves here with this musk and nectarine scented wine, bursting with tangy pear, peach and apple flavours and finishing with lovely crushed … Read More
Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015
Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015 $25 ★★★★½ Who’d have thought we’d be growing this snappy Spanish white way down in Marlborough AND doing a great job of it? Well, the Rose family at Wairau River are doing just that. Beautiful aromas of citrus blossom, white peach and summer flowers tease the nose before an onslaught … Read More
Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015
Wairau River Marlborough Albarino 2015 $25 ★★★★½ Who’d have thought we’d be growing this snappy Spanish white way down in Marlborough AND doing a great job of it? Well, the Rose family at Wairau River are doing just that. Beautiful aromas of citrus blossom, white peach and summer flowers tease the nose before an onslaught … Read More
Astrolabe Vineyards Sleepers Vineyard Albarino 2013
Astrolabe Vineyards Sleepers Vineyard Albarino 2013 $25 ★★★½ Albarino has made itself well and truly at home here in the Antipodes, far from its Spanish home. Simon Waghorn has crafted a white wine that’s lifted, dry and has a whiff of oyster shell, lime and flint. It’s a lightly structured style that’s bony, tangy and … Read More