Morton Estate Black Label Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $19.99 So here’s where things get really tricky because Lion, (the company that sent me this wine to review) say that it’s recommended retail price (rrp) is $19.99. Yet when you Google this wine, some websites, like www.thegoodwine.co.nz say “rrp $34.99 – but our price $16.99”. www.blackmarket.co.nz have … Read More
gisborne
Le Pont Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $39.99 4.5 stars
Le Pont Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $39.99 (4.5 stars) Old school chardonnay fans ahoy! Named in Tribute to the pioneering Irwin family who bought the first Mendoza clone chardonnay to Gisborne in the 1970’s, they went on to found a French restaurant called Le Pont. A combination of French and American oak barrels has injected a … Read More
Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2015 $19.99 (3.5 stars)
This is about as natural as it gets for gewurztraminer production. Nicola and Geoff Wright are organic pioneers in Gisborne and alongside not adding any herbicides, insecticides or fungicides, they’re also not adding any yeast, opting instead for wild, ‘natural’ yeasts to conduct the ferment. This results in a funkier, dryer style, laced with lychee … Read More
Wrights Gisborne Chardonnay 2015 $28
Crafted by organic pioneers Geoff and Nicola Wright from fruit grown in their Manutuke and Ormond vineyards, this is a different style of chardonnay in that its scented with green apple, lime and hints of nashi amongst the more signature peach, nougat and grapefruit. There’s a smidge of roasty, toasty oak, a whiff of smoke … Read More
Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Chardonnay 2016 $19.99
Certified organic chardonnay here from Geoff and Nicola Wright, chardonnay that has a distinct ‘struck match’ aroma, smoky, flinty layers that once pushed through, give way to a ripe, rich, viscose palate packed with peach, caramelised, toasty characters, butterscotch and nutty notes on the finish. It’s a complex little chardonnay with bright acidity and a … Read More
Matawhero Gisborne Merlot 2016 $22 ★★★★
For a red that’s only just been bottled and released, this is drinking darn gorgeously. Ripe, round, plush plum and milk chocolate notes on the nose and palate, it’s dangerously smooth and velvety in the mouth and boasts a long, warming finish. Subtle fruitcake spices, pepper and hints of red berry add to the fruit … Read More
The Natural Wine Co. Gisborne Pinot Gris 2016 $19.95 (4.5 stars)
How’s this for hands-off winemaking. Organic fruit harvested a little later than normal to enhance the fruit sweetness and then the juice is left to soak overnight with the skins to extract a little more texture and complexity. Extended lees stirring during a ferment kickstarted with wild yeasts from the vineyard itself has added layers … Read More
Millton Te Arai Gisborne Muskats @Dawn 2016 $20 (3.5 stars)
On these sun-soaked summer days, sometimes all you want is a glass of something super-chilled and something that’s not going to knock you sideways. Well here’s your answer. At a positively demure 8.5% alcohol, this organic, biodynamically-produced, musky, peachy white is a fruity, trop-fest of a wine that’ll keep everyone happy. Light, lovely and luscious … Read More
Spade Oak Heart of Gold Gisborne Albarino 2015 $23 (3.5 stars)
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
Natural Wine Co. Gisborne Pinot Gris 2016 $19.99 4.5 stars
How’s this for hands-off winemaking. Organic fruit harvested a little later than normal to enhance the fruit sweetness and then the juice is left to soak overnight with the skins to extract a little more texture and complexity. Extended lees stirring during a ferment kickstarted with wild yeasts from the vineyard itself has added layers … Read More