Black Ridge near Alexandra, is undergoing a renaissance with new owners Joss Purbrick and Belinda Green. One of the oldest vineyards in Central, it is known for its old-vine riesling and gewurztraminer as well as its pinot noir. Watch out for a new look and new developments as future vintages of wine come on stream.
Riesling 2012
$23
Rating: Four stars
Value: VVV
From Philippa Shepherd's biodynamic Lowburn vineyard comes this delicious off-dry riesling oozing lime, mandarin and mineral, with a hint of marmalade and a fresh, balanced finish.
Domainerewa.com
Riesling 2014
$19
Rating: Three stars
Value: VV
A trendy low-alcohol (9%) wine with suggestions of lime flowers and ripe apple but light flavours with a stiletto of acidity encased in a lingering sweetness on the finish - a sweet-sour wine.
saintclair.co.nz
Riesling 2012
$20
Rating: Three-plus stars
Value: VVV
Oozing tangy suggestions of lime and orange marmalade and citrus zest, this mouth-filling wine is fresh and lively, off-dry but with a crisp, well-balanced finish.
maindivide.com
Old Vines Gewürztraminer
$23
Rating: Three-plus stars
Value: VVV
A Black Ridge classic - fragrant, floral and mouth-filling, with a silky, oily texture, lots of fruit flavour and a firm, fresh finish.
Riesling 2013
$27
Rating: Four stars
Value: VV
Fresh and zingy with intense lime and flowers, refreshing fruit and a steely backbone of acidity, this is a precise, stylish wine, challenging by itself but delicious with food: cheese, simply cooked fish with a squeeze of lemon. It will develop with bottle age.
craggyrange.com
Old Vines Riesling
$18
Rating: Three-plus stars
Value: VVV
Zesty, light in the mouth, with hints of apple and citrus and suggestions of buttered toast and marmalade, this opens out like a peacock's tail on the aftertaste.
Another Glass
Black Ridge Otago Gold 2010
$13.50
Two-and-a-half stars
Value: VV
A dry white with hints of tropical fruit and honey and a savoury note on the finish.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
