Loveblock Organic Riesling 2012 $25 ★★★★ Aroma-wise, this wine is leaning into that mealy, biscuit-like, kerosene character and yet when you sip, it is bright and banging with lime, mandarin and crunchy apple flavours. It’s a wine that has two totally different sides and I like that – the length of flavour is impressive too. … Read More
organic
Angove Organic Shiraz Cabernet 2014
Angove Organic Shiraz Cabernet 2014 $18.99 ★★★½ A really interesting series of flavours here, caramelised plum, super-ripe berry and cherry notes all bounce around in the glass. There’s a soft, meaty character in the mid-palate that extends to the finish. Smooth, easy and super-sippable. www.villagewinery.co.nz
Mead and Millton
I’d like to start this column with a pun. It’s one of a collection of puns that won comedian David Kearse (a ‘Kearse on humanity’ as he calls himself) the Rubber Chicken award for Britain’s Top Pun Artist at Dave’s Leicester Comedy Festival held last week. It goes “Marvin Gaye kept a sheep in my … Read More
Wright’s Vineyard Entity Methode Traditionnelle 2010
Wright’s Vineyard ‘Entity’ Methode Traditionnelle 2010 $25 Made entirely from chardonnay, this is an organically produced Blanc de Blanc from Gisborne’s Ormond Valley, and if you’re expecting something frilly and feminine – forget it. This fizz reflects the ‘chaos factor’ of family life for Geoff and Nicola Wright as they work hard to maintain their … Read More
Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2010
Millton Riverpoint Viognier 2010 $28 Scented with yellow plum, orange oil and frangipane. In the mouth it boasts citrus pith and musky, mid-palate seductiveness. Topped off with tangy, warming length of flavour and a nicely balanced 13.5% alcohol, this is definitely a drinkable example that works beautifully with apricot and sage-stuffed pork roast. www.millton.co.nz Millton … Read More
Green Man Organic Tequila Beer
Green Man Organic Tequila Beer 5.6% $8 500ml I’m not usually a huge fan of ‘flavour infused’ beers but this example actually spun my wheels. Cloudy with a pale, foamy head and a clean, distinctive aroma of lime and tequila which adds a element of gringo to an already crisp, flavoursome lager. Definitely the right … Read More
Rippon Tinkers Field Pinot Noir 2009
Rippon ‘Tinkers Field’ Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2009 $95 Yes, you are right, it is that price. But I guarantee if you try this you’ll quickly realize that the last thing you spent ninety dollars on didn’t give you half the satisfaction as just one sip of the Tinkers Field. Biodynamically produced from one of … Read More
Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Les Arbes Gisborne Viognier 2009
Millton Clos de Ste. Anne Les Arbes Gisborne Viognier 2009 $58 Yes it’s pricey but it’s oh so nicey! Mandarin and tangelo notes with classic apricot kernel and cheek-tingling texture and orange oil unctuosity. Delicious stuff from one of this country’s viognier pioneers, plus it’s organic and biodynamically produced so no doubt you’ll have … Read More
Babich Headwaters Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Babich ‘Headwaters’ Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $25 Aromatically it’s definitely on the herbaceous, slightly vegetal end of the spectrum and in the mouth it has a sharp, gooseberry and greengage flavour, however it’s a little disjointed on the finish.