Auburn Wine Reviews
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2011 Vintage
Yvonne Lorkin - Wine and Food Creative - www.yvonnelorkin.com
Auburn Affair…
"I love the first line on the Auburn Wines website "We grow Riesling. We craft Riesling. We love Riesling. A lot." A. Because it intrinsically explains why they chose to become New Zealand's only riesling-exclusive winery, and B. They used the words "A lot" instead of the words "Bigtime", "Totally" or "Fully" which they easily could have because with their wraparound shades, beanies and cargo pants, the Auburn crew (girls excepted) all look like be-whiskered Gen-Y snowboarders. Part of the recent Summer of Riesling celebrations involved spending a good few hours tasting my way through sixty seven of the nation's finest examples region by region from driest to sweetest. Normally at events like this wine writers methodically swirl, sniff, sip, spit, then scribble down a few notes before moving on within a minute or two to the next wine, however by the time I got to the Central Otago table there was a crowd of writers local and international who'd stalled at one wine – the Auburn Bendigo Riesling 2011. I'd never tasted an Auburn wine before and it was, in a word, sublime..."
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Emma Jenkins - Te Independant Wine Monthly- www.independentwinemonthly.co.nz
Auburn Affair…
"There is something very encouraging about the approach of Auburn Wines of Bannockburn. The singular focus on riesling and desire to explore the variety through various sub-regional bottlings underscores the growing maturation and confidence in our terroir. The prevailing 'jack of all trades' approach has of course been necessary as our young industry develops, and successful too with plenty of producers giving lively expression of terroir across the country. Auburn though is surely a harbinger of more interesting times to come with vineyards and their varietal matches increasingly to the fore.
"That said, admirable though it may be, single minded focus doesn't always deliver the goods and most thankfully it is here that Auburn acquits itself well..."
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Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling (5 stars)
"Grapes were hand harvested from 18-year-old vines (clean and botrytised). Great purity. An elegant bouquet showing lemon/lime, ripe apple, jasmine and a hint of honey notes. The palate is concentrated and juicy with fine texture and gentle sweetness (48 g/l), which is well balanced by the bright acidity. The length is superb. Youthful yet immensely appealing already. At its best: 2012 to 2020." 94/100
2011 Auburn Bannockburn Riesling (5 stars)
"From 13-year-old vines, grapes (no botrytis) were whole bunch pressed. Delicate aromas of grapefruit, mandarin and green apple with a hint of flint. The palate is lush and elegantly weighted with appealing sweetness (47 g/l) and crunch apple acidity. Flavours build beautifully through the palate to a lingering finish. At its best: 2012 to 2020." 93/100
2011 Auburn Bendigo Riesling (5 stars)
"This wine has a staggeringly low pH of 2.88 (TA 8.3 g/l), yet the wine is perfectly poised and balanced. Clean fruits (no botrytis) were whole bunch pressed for cool fermentation after a light settling in tank. Youthful, ripe and fragrant on the nose displaying white peach, mandarin and mango with a hint of flint. The palate is succulent and beautifully weighted with appealing sweetness (63 g/l) and seamlessly integrated acidity. Beautifully detailed and gorgeous. At its best: now to 2020." 95/100
2011 Auburn Alexandra Riesling (5 stars)
"An exquisite Riesling (no botrytis) exhibiting delicate aromas of jasmine, lemon pith and wet limestone. The palate is feather-light, yet superbly concentrated with fine texture, whispering sweetness (16 g/l) and perfectly pitched acidity providing an elegant frame and an extremely long finish. A delightful Riesling destined to provide enormous drinking pleasure in coming years. At its best: 2014 to 2022." 95/100
Raymond Chan
2011 Auburn Alexandra Riesling (5 stars)
"Bright, very pale straw-green colour, pale on edge. This has a very fine, tightly bound, lacy and delicate nose of lime and exotic flowers, minerals, garden herbs and a hint of honeysuckle that intensifies with lime notes given breathing Medium dry to taste, the flavours are very delicate and subtle, honied florals with minerals and Mosel-like flint and slate-like reduction. There are layers of fruit nuances that emerge from the core of the palate, all underlined by very fine acidity, and carried through to a refined, gentle, but lingering finish. Fruit from 13 y.o. vines in Alexandra, no botrytis, WBP and cool-fermented to 9.5% alc. and 15 g/L rs, pH 3.04 and TA 6.5 g/L. This is a classical dryish Mosel style of real elegance to serve as an aperitif over the next 4-5+ years." 19-/20
2011 Auburn Bannockburn Riesling (5 stars)
"Fruit from 13 y.o. vines in Bannockburn, no botrytis, WBP and cool-fermented to 10.5% alc. and 47 g/L rs, pH 2.91 and TA 8.0 g/L. Brilliant, very pale green-hued straw colour, the nose has density and concentration, showing restrained aromas of wet stones, minerals, earth and flint allied with citrus fruits, honey, talc and nuts. Medium in sweetness, this is rich and lush, with densely packed flavours of citrus fruits, honey and yellow florals. A little sweet and sour element adds interest. The palate has an unctuous mouthfeel, with breadth and weight, which commands attention. Underneath the richness, discreet acidity maintains freshness and tension. This is a rich, mouthfilling spatlese style to serve as an aperitif or with moderately rich Asian or Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 5-6+ years." 18.5+/20
2011 Auburn Bendigo Riesling (5 stars)
"Bright, full and even, pale straw-yellow colour with some depth. This has an exceptionally fine, delicate and detailed bouquet with fragrant florals, minerals, herbs and sherbet, the aromas with great beauty and purity. Medium-sweet to taste, tightly bound flavours of white florals, honey and minerals unfold in layers and with sheer delicacy, the palate beautifully poised with fine, slippery acidity enhancing the sweetness, richness and succulence. The racy acidity is refined and results in a sleek, seamless, yet taut and vibrant. lively mouthfeel with great precision. The finish is extremely long and sustained. This is a perfectly balanced and wonderfully zesty, luscious spatlese style that will develop significantly over the next 6-8+ years. Serve as an aperitif and with antipasto or with summer fruits. Riesling fruit from 6 y.o. vines in Bendigo, no botrytis, WBP and cool-fermented to 10.0% alc. and 64 g/L rs, pH 2.88 and TA 8.3 g/L." 20/20
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling (5 stars)
"Fruit from 18 y.o. vines in Lowburn, approx. 25% botrytised, WBP and cool-fermented to 11.5% alc. with 48 g/L rs, pH 3.00, TA 8.9 g/L. Brilliant pale straw yellow colour with light green hues on the rim, the bouquet is firmly concentrated with a solid, rich core of exotic floral and stonefruits, lime, honey and flint. Medium-sweet, the palate has soft, rich and very luscious flavours of honey and tropical fruits, along with nuances of spice, balanced superbly by crisp, fine acidity. This has a richness and substance to the texture and mouthfeel that suggests decadence, but the wine retains a stylish cut that results in a sense of restraint. A superbly subtle, rich, near-auslese style to match with pate and foie gras or with light fruit desserts over the next 6-8+ years." 19.5/20
Gary Walsh - Wine Front
"I'm no off-dry Riesling man, but bloody Nora, this set of 2011 wines from Auburn (Central Otago) are awesome. Tiny production. Super value/quality."
2011 Auburn Alexandra Riesling
"Some cheese and savouries, wilder funkier, but feels much sweeter than its stated residual sugar level. Soft acidity, gentle almost pineapple accented fruit and a soft finish. Not a lot of focus but phenolics and texture bring it back. Lovely wine. Lime and white flowers in there too, for good measure." 94 points. 2012-2021+
2011 Auburn Bannockburn Riesling
"Apple, powder puff aromatic, lemon blossom, juicy lemon and explosive acidity, slatey dry palate with superb crunchy finish. Lavendar lolly notes. Balance is just spot on – you just want to drink and drink – no abrasion or anger here, just love. My favourite from the four 2011 releases." 95 points. 2012-2021+
2011 Auburn Bendigo Riesling
"Distinct mineral petrol tones, smells dry, dissolved CO2 on display and to taste, petillant, juicy almost mango and melon with a good serve of sticky residual, but clean and long. Yum. Given some air pulls minerally and even longer. Mango pulp and tropicals. A gentle and delicious nectar." 94 points. 2012- 2020+
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling
"Dry and minerally to smell, sulphur and flint, rich tropical and stone fruit, pithy grapefruit phenolics cut its lunch. Crunchy textural finish. Juicy apples, lots of interest. Savoury and honeyed at once. Got its mojo working, low spice and high interest." 94/95 points. 2012-2021+
Tyson Stelzer - Wine Press
2011 Auburn Bannockburn Riesling
"The four 2011 releases of Riesling specialist Auburn present a compelling case that there's more to the sub-regional distinctiveness of Central Otago than pinot noir. They have learnt from the styles of the Mosel, while unashamedly portraying the unique fruit flavours, acid profiles and mineral expressions of their distinct sites. Crafted in tiny quantities, this is my pick of the 2011s, for its wonderful seamlessness of scintillating acidity, chalky minerality and brilliantly balanced medium sweetness (47g/L). Drink 2012-2030." 95 Points
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling
"There's no definitive precedent for Riesling longevity of Germanic proportions in Central Otago, but in decades to come we may well look back at wines like this as setting the benchmark. If there's any left, that is, because with only 760 bottles made, it may not last long! A touch of botrytis adds exotic lift and texture to citrus, apricot and fig flavours, while maintaining admirable elegance and restraint. 48g/L of sweetness is perfectly gauged. Pronounced acidity calls for at least five years before approaching. Drink 2017-2030." 95 Points
2011 Auburn Bendigo Riesling
"Layers of exotic frangipane, stone fruits, lemon zest and wild honeyed sweetness are tempered by finely balanced acidity and gentle minerality, making for a medium sweet style that finishes clean." 94 Points
Michael Cooper - Winestate
2011 Auburn Bendigo Riesling
"The most 'complete' of Auburn's quartet of Rieslings from 2011. Light, intense, poised and racy, it's a medium-sweet style (63 grams/litre of residual sugar) with appetising acidity and lovely delicacy and depth of citrusy, slightly spicy flavours." 5 Stars
2011 Auburn Bannockburn Riesling
"Already quite open and expressive, this is a medium-sweet style (47 grams/litre of residual sugar) with a moderate level of alcohol (10.5%) and lovely poise and freshness. Citrusy, appley flavours, with a hint of sherbet, a minerally streak and excellent intensity." 4.5 Stars
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling
"From 18 year-old vines, this is a late harvest style from grapes that were 25 per cent botrytis-affected. A rich, sweetish wine (48 grams/litre of residual sugar), it has good acid spine and concentrated, peachy, citrusy, limey flavours, slightly honeyed and long." 4.5 Stars
2011 Auburn Alexandra Riesling
"Youthful, light, low alcohol style (9.5%) with a gentle splash of sweetness (16 grams/litre of residual sugar). Finely balanced, with moderate acidity and very good depth of pure, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours. One for the cellar." 4 Stars
Jo Burzsynka - NZ Herald
"For me, a great wine is one in which complexity is yoked with balance - where all its multiple aromas, flavours and textures work together in harmony. I must admit I'm someone who relishes a challenge, in wines as in life, and tend to get most enjoyment from wines that I need to put some effort into. These are the wines a drinker has to meet "half way", but reward the drinker with an exciting combination of intellectual and sensory stimulation."
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling
"Riesling also combines the cerebral with the sensual. There's a lot going on in this fabulously intense sub-regional example from exciting Riesling focused producer, Auburn. Succulent notes of green apple, stonefruit and lemon bitters laced with ginger are underpinned by a racy line of grapefruit and mineral that beautifully balances its sweetness."
Sam Kim
2011 Auburn Alexandra Riesling
"Riesling is all they make (the only New Zealand wine producer to do so). This is one of four exceptional Rieslings under the Auburn label. It's feather-light yet concentrated with elegant citrus flavours and a delicate palate. It has whispering sweetness and finishes long and crisp. Quite a stunner."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - eRobertParker.com
2011 Auburn Alexandra Riesling
"The 2011 Alexandra Riesling offers aromas of warm grapefruit, lime cordial and white peaches with a hint of honeysuckle. Light-bodied with lower alcohol (9.5% declared) and made to a medium-dry style (15 g/l residual sugar), it has a great intensity of citrus and honeyed flavors and a long finish. Approachable now, it should drink to 2017+." 90 points
2011 Auburn Bannockburn Riesling
"The 2011 Bannockburn Riesling has youthfully muted notes of lemon pastilles, frangipani and wet pebbles with a whiff of clover honey. Light-bodied with lower alcohol (10.5% declared) and with a fair bit of sweetness in the mouth (47 g/l RS), it has a great acid line and long layered finish. Delicious now, it should develop well over the next 4-7 years. Drink 2012-2019." 91+ points
2011 Auburn Bendigo Riesling
"The 2011 Bendigo Riesling gives aromas of fresh lemon juice, grapefruit peel and yuzu zest with hints of chalk and honeycomb. Fully sweet (64 g/l residual sugar) yet nicely balanced with very refreshing acid, it has a light body and alcohol (10% declared) with a long, steely finish. Drink it now to 2017+." 90+ points
2011 Auburn Lowburn Riesling
"Intensely scented of lemons, fresh lime juice and crushed stones with hints of fresh herbs and jasmine, the light to medium-bodied 2011 Lowburn Riesling has a medium-sweet palate (48 g/l residual sugar) and well balanced acid backbone cutting through the vibrant, forward fruit, finishing long with a slight yeastiness. Drink it now to 2017+." 89 points
Quick Quotes
2011 Vintage Reviews
Yvonne Lorkin
"... in a word, sublime..."
Emma Jenkins - WM
"... Poise, freshness and very good length complete the picture..."
Sam Kim - Wine Orbit
"...The length is superb..."
"...lush and elegantly weighted..."
"...seamlessly integrated acidity..."
"...Beautifully detailed and gorgeous..."
"...superbly concentrated with fine texture..."
Raymond Chan
"...refined, gentle, but lingering finish..."
"...breadth and weight, which commands attention..."
"...exceptionally fine, delicate and detailed bouquet..."
"...A superbly subtle, rich, near-auslese style..."
Gary Walsh - Wine Front
"... bloody Nora, this set of 2011 wines from Auburn are awesome..."
Tyson Stelzer - Wine Press
"... scintillating acidity, chalky minerality and brilliantly balanced medium sweetness..."
Michael Cooper - Winestate
"... Light, intense, poised and racy..."
Jo Burzynska - NZ Herald
"...a lot going on in this fabulously intense sub-regional example..."
Sam Kim
"... feather-light yet concentrated with elegant citrus..."
Lisa Perrotti-Brown - eRobertParker.com
"... youthfully muted notes of lemon pastilles, frangipani and wet pebbles with a whiff of clover honey..."