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
gisborne
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
Spade Oak Voysey Gisborne Pinot Gris 2015
Spade Oak Voysey Gisborne Pinot Gris 2015 $18 ★★★★ What Steve and Eileen Voysey don’t know about growing grapes in Gisborne probably isn’t worth thinking about. They’re experts in gleaning every drop of excellence from their vineyards and this stonefruit-packed pinot gris is no exception. With nashi pear, quince and classic, baked apple and musky … Read More
Spade Oak Voysey Gisborne Syrah Tempranillo 2013
Spade Oak Voysey Gisborne Syrah Tempranillo 2013 $23 ★★★½ Tempranillo might be the signature red grape in the Spanish Rioja wines, yet over in Gisborne, Steve Voysey has had a crack at blending it with syrah which has its h0me in France’s Southern Rhone region. It’s resulted in a wine with sweet, almost medicinal aromas … Read More
Theory & Practice Gisborne Chardonnay 2014
Theory & Practice Gisborne Chardonnay 2014 $19.95 ★★★★ Crafted by Ant McKenzie, (wine consultant to the stars) and his viticulturist brother Bryce, this is a cracker of a chardonnay that’s jam-packed with juicy tropical fruit and grilled citrus notes alongside caramelised, toasty characters and edged with creamy, custard square pastry-like notes. Fresh and tangy. To … Read More
The Family Gisborne Merlot 2013
The Family Gisborne Merlot 2013 $25 ★★★★ Pioneer winemaker John Thorpe and his family are really making a name for themselves with this family brand and lovers of soft, plummy and plush merlot will fall all over themselves when they taste this wine. Bright berries, cherries chocolatey spices and a long, silky finish make this … Read More