Hawkesridge Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2023 $25 (not rated) While on the nose this wine has some apricot and jasmine promise, sadly the palate is out of balance, with a sweet-sour note and it finishes short. Not great. But 2023 was a very difficult cyclone vintage, so that could have been an issue.
viognier
Obliix Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah Malbec Viognier 2022
Obliix Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah Malbec Viognier 2022 $30 New from Sir George Fistonich and his winemaking team headed by Michelle Richardson comes the Oblix/Obliix brand. This is a hugely floral syrah-dominant wine, fleshed out with 12% malbec and 8% viognier to create a light, bright, highly juicy and fantastically fresh red wine that … Read More
Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2021
Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2021 $50 For the life of me, I do not know the significance of having a beenie-hatted trout dressed in a Swandri carrying an axe on the label, but hey, I’m honestly not caring, because the wine inside is so so good. I love the way the 2021 has a cleansing, … Read More
Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2020
Moy Hall Martinborough Viognier 2020 $50 Phill and Carolyn McArthur are the power couple behind Moy Hall and they’re responsible for my newfound obsession with Martinborough Viognier. Grown on the Martinborough terrace, the fruit was fully barrel fermented and aged on its lees for a long, sleepy, 11 months to inject a gorgeous creamy undertone … Read More
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Marsanne Viognier 2020
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Marsanne Viognier 2020 $39 A blend of 92% marsanne with a splishy splash of 8% viognier has been fermented and aged in barrels for 17 months before bottling and the result is a generously dry (14%alc) wine loaded with lemony complexity, green apple goodness and a mineral-stacked spine. Refreshing and cleansing, … Read More
Moutere Hills Nelson Viognier 2020
Moutere Hills Nelson Viognier 2020 $45 Leaning toward the mineral, dry end of the spectrum, this viognier has a very subtle nose yet unveils ginger, nutmeg and a hit of mineral-edged chalkiness on the finish. Lacks the classic stonefruit, jasmine and citrus oil notes that viognier is famous for, but will appeal to those who … Read More
Piwakawaka Gisborne Viognier 2020
Piwakawaka Gisborne Viognier 2020 $25-$28 It’s tricky striking the balance between fruit sweetness and acid tension, but Kristin and Steve Parkes reckon they’ve cracked it. They were landed with 2ha of viognier in front of a home they’d bought back in 2013 and that catapulted them into the crazy world of winegrowing. The grapes are … Read More
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021
Abbey Estate Bridge Pa Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021 $25 Back in 2002 when Feilding dairy farmer Warren Haworth reached 50, he decided to reward himself and his wife Jan with a new life in Hawke’s Bay making wine. A new life of backbreaking work, little reward and even less sleep. But today, with the help … Read More
Petane Tracks Block Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021
Petane Tracks Block Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021 $30 If you prefer your viognier with less of the oily texture and apricot overload, then chances are this style is for you. Dry and mineral-focused, it has a dash of white pepper and soft peach on the palate. Lighter-styled than its predecessors, it’s on the leaner end … Read More
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2019
Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Viognier 2019 $28.99 The unmistakable aroma of orange zest, apricot and a little jiggle of jasmine tells you that this is going to be a great little viognier. Grown organically on the ancient rocky terraces above the Ruamahanga River, this is an ultra-bright, beautifully balanced example of a variety that’s notoriously difficult … Read More