I was listening to “Jitterbug” by WHAM! when I first tasted this chardonnay by Callum Linklater and it definitely did make me want to do a happy dance. Bright, shiny and lighter, white-fruited style, chablis-like with a hint of funk and frisk. Nice texture and length. Dry and citrus-driven with a lick of white pepper … Read More
organic
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017
Richmond Plains Organic Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2017 $22 Grown in the gloriously weedy, certified organic vineyard owned and lovingly tended by Lars and Sam Jensen, the Richmond Plains sauvignon is nothing short of a Nelson icon. Aromatically it sings with lemon blossom, red capsicum, sugar snap pea and lime notes. Racy acidity, boatloads of florals … 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
Bernard Schurr Organic Cote du Rhone Villages 2014 $30 ★★★½
Bernard Schurr’s wines are now made at his friend Laurent Delaunay’s estate, Domaine de Lambisque, in the northern reaches of the Cotes du Rhone appellation. This softly spiced, earthy red is a blend of 50:50 Grenache and Syrah, aged for 9 months in large, seasoned oak vessels. It’s got a lovely forest-floor character alongside fragrant, … Read More
Seresin OSIP Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 $24 (3.5 stars)
Named after an ‘extraordinary’ family relative of Seresin’s founder Michael Seresin, the OSIP wines are the result of a decade-long project to remove additions in the winery. Winemaker Clive Dougall has used wild yeasts, and absolutely no sulphur or other non-naturals have been added. Seresin have been producing certified organic and biodynamically grown wines since … Read More
NOW by Paxton McLaren Vale Organic Shiraz 2016 $30 (4 stars)
The name stands for ‘Natural Organic Wine’ and in this these guys have been making organic, preservative-free wines since WAY before it was cool. Here you’ve got a bright, vibrant, floral-fest of a shiraz which has a long, liquorice-like layer through the mid-palate. It’s not sweet and jammy as many South Australian shiraz’s can be … 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
Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Rosé 2015
Natural Wine Co. Organic Gisborne Rosé 2015 $19.99 ★★★½ Geoff Wright is the craftsman behind this wine which is grown and made according to organic and biodynamic principles. Super-herbal and spicy on the nose, with smoky, earthy characters and resinous complexity happening, yet in the mouth there are clean berry, melon and blackboy peach flavours. … Read More