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Every week we sample and taste dozens of wines at First Glass. Many
of them are samples that have been provided by wineries for assessment, others are opened
and poured at our Wednesday or Saturday tastings. These notes come from our Fine Wine
Wednesday Tastings. Check the Tastings Diary for the
schedule.
The following reviews are based on how we found the wines on the day
or evening. On occasions the review is made on a single bottle but at the Wednesday
tasting there will usually be 3 or 4 bottles of each wine opened. Clearly wines will
taste differently, depending on the various circumstances but as the views of a number of
people are considered, the comments do not become the opinions of just one person. Many of
the following wines are stocked by First Glass, others are wines that may be considered
for stocking at a future date.
Check the online
store for current availability and pricing
Fine Wine Wednesday Tasting, 1st September 2010
Simply Delicious
Tasting notes by Sue Courtney (www.wineoftheweek.com). Wines were tasted blind.
Waimea Nelson Chardonnay 2008
Peach and nectarine fill the bouquet - a touch of butterscotch
too and even more butterscotch in the delicious savoury, toasty palate. With lots of
polished oak and stonefruit with a hint of nutmeg on the finish it fits the theme well,
just do not over chill.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $15.99 special.
Marisco The Kings Bastard Marlborough Chardonnay
2009
Woodsmoke on the nose and citrus, apricot and loads of toasty
spicy oak in the palate. Quite smooth and seamless - it just flows - and the finish is
long and mealy.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $18.99 special.
Cypress Terraces Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2008
Fig, nougat, nuts and grilled stonefruit scents introduce this
mouthfilling rendition of delicious full-boded Chardonnay. With great mouthfeel and
richness, flavours of toasty stonefruit and stonefruit and a funky allure, this wine is
still drinking beautifully a year after its gold medal win. Gold NZIWS 2009.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $30.99.
Millton Te Arai Vineyard Gisborne Chenin Blanc
Not expressing too much on the nose - some oily nuances with
delicate florals and zest, but delicious and luscious in the powerful, full-bodied palate,
this is spicy to the max with wonderful acidity in the form of orange and tangelo zest and
a lasting expression of Granny Smith apple. The oiliness detected on the nose comes
through in the texture and there's a hint of gunflint on the finish. An excellent New
World example of this famous Loire Valley grape.
14.5% alc. $29.99.
TWR Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009
The bouquet expresses candied violets, musk and kumquat and the
powerful flavours are reminiscent of Moroccan spices, musk, sweet apple and orange water.
Wonderful texture and mouthfeel and a finish that lasts for minutes complete this
delicious package and though it seems sweet first up, the finish is dry. Rated No 1
Gewurztraminer in Cuisine magazine.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $NA
Concha y Toro Casillero del Diablo Carmenere 2008
- Chile
Intense in colour with concentrated blackcurrant and woodsmoke
aromas and soft, juicy flavours that brim with plum and bramble fruit, savoury oak, hints
of violets and a meaty richness. With its fine tannins and youthful freshness, this is
deliciously drinkable and one of the stars of the night. Recommended by Cuisine.
14.5% alc. Cork. $19.99.
30 Mile South East Australian Shiraz 2008
A 'big" smelling wine, it radiates aromas of toasted
vanillin oak, hints of eucalypt, blackberries and spice. It has a deep black red
reflective appearance and in the palate it has a velvety texture with flavours of
blackberries, dark chocolate, spice and leather and downright juicy drinkability. Made by
Johnny Quarisa. Recommended by Cuisine.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $12.99 special.
Sessantani Primitivo du Manduria 2006 - Southern
Italy
Inky dark plum in colour, this is a massive wine with a bottle
to match. Concentrated savoury aromas of rich fruitcake and smoke and big thick juicy
flavours of purple plums, currants, chocolate and a touch of spice all held together by
its firm tannins and savoury oak. It seems to be improving in the bottle and
"opulence" describes this wine right through to the intense long finish.
Stunning wine.
14.5% alc. Cork. $49.99.
Penfolds Thomas Hyland Shiraz 2007 - South
Australia
Chocolate on the nose motors into the palate with a minty nuance
adding to its allure. A smooth, creamy Shiraz with vanillin oak, spice, leather, plush
velvety tannins and a red fruit brightness to the dry peppery finish. Five Stars Cuisine
magazine & Top 10 Shiraz.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $15.99 special.
Scarpantoni Block 3 McLaren Vale Shiraz 2007
Perfumed with vanilla and smoky bacon, this is a dark deep wine
with plenty of toasty oak, plums, mulberries, liquorice, leather and vanilla with fine
tannins and a long, sweet /savoury finish.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $39.99.
Farnese Edizione NV (Bottled 2007) - Southern
Italy
An enigma of a wine, it's made from Montepulciano, Primitivo,
Sangiovese, Negroamaro and Malvasia Rossa from several regions and a blend of vintages -
and perhaps this is the reason why it's so incredibly delicious. It's shiny black red in
colour with a savoury aroma abetted by currant and liquorice and opulent flavours of juicy
blackberry and raspberry, exotic spices, salami, leather and earth while grunty tannins
are tempered by the overall succulence of this amazing blockbuster wine.
14.5% alc. Cork. $49.99.
Seppetsfield Cellar No. 9 Muscat - Rutherglen,
Australia
Very dark amber with a spirity nuance to the scent while dry
'rancio' characters pulsate through the luscious, almost syrupy palate. It's raisiny and
nutty with honey, orange peel and a beguiling spiciness to the muscatty flavours last for
ages. A lovely after dinner sipper.
16.5% alc. Screwcap. $35.99.
Check the online
store for current availability and pricing
Fine Wine Wednesday Tasting, 25th August 2010
Cuisine New Zealand Reds and Others
Tasting notes by Sue Courtney (www.wineoftheweek.com). Wines were tasted blind.
Morton Estate Private Reserve Chardonnay
2008 Hawkes Bay
A new release, this smooth and seamless wine is golden
coloured with citrus, tropical fruit and savoury, barrel fermented flavours with a lovely
nutty oak sweetness and a rounded finish and just a touch of tingly spice.
14% alc. Screwcap. $15.99 special.
Estuary Kingsview Estate Chardonnay
2009 Mangawhai
This light gold coloured wine is seriously rich,
toasty, creamy and spicy with fruits that pulse with melon and pineapple, a citrussy
backbone with a long juicy finish. The wine is made by Rod McIvor at Marsden Estate.
12.5% alc. Screwcap. $25.99.
Wild Rock Gravel Pit Red Merlot
Malbec 2008 Hawkes Bay
Inky purple red, quite shiny in hue. Leather and plum
aromas lead into savoury flavours with concentrated plum and cake spices, an undercurrent
of smoke, leather and tar, and chicory and anise on the long juicy finish. Full-bodied and
rich with smooth velvety tannins, a year after release it's still very youthful. Gold
Medal & Trophy NZ International Wine Show 2009. 5 stars, No 2 Cuisine Magazine.
14% alc. Screwcap. $17.99 special.
Couper's Shed Merlot Cabernet 2009
Hawkes Bay
Youthful purple red, dense and deep, this wine has
aromas in the currant spectrum. It's concentrated and juicy with supple tannins, savoury
oak, hints of liquorice, plum, blackberry, tar and a hint of rose petal that comes from
about 8% Cabernet Franc and adds to the fragrance too. 5 stars and No 3 Cuisine Magazine.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $14.99 special
Vidal Estate Merlot Cabernet 2008
Hawkes Bay
A deep purple red coloured wine with a seam of peppery
spice that sits in well with the voluptuous fruit while the tannins are fine and smooth
and there's a touch of Black Forest chocolate on the juicy finish. Malbec adds to the
overall appeal. Gold Medal Royal Easter Show. 5 stars and No 1 Merlot blend Cuisine
Magazine.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $14.99 special.
Villa Maria Reserve Merlot 2008 -
Hawkes Bay
Deep black red with a seductive aroma of
concentrated berries, oak spice, dried herbs and a hint of coconut and juicy succulent
flavours with creamy oak, biscuity spice, concentrated brambly fruit, hints of liquorice
and fine and beautifully balanced tannins. A blend of 90% Merlot and 10% Cabernet
Sauvignon from the Gimblett Gravels, it really is a 5 star wine. Cuisine rated this 4.5
stars and placed it at No 4.
14% alc. Screwcap. $44.99 special.
Church Road Cuve Series Cabernet
Sauvignon 2007 Hawkes Bay
Inky black purple, shiny in appearance. Fragrant,
almost floral aromas with blackcurrant fruit and classy oak and flavours that do not
disappoint. Sweet fruit balances the savoury backbone with a touch of spice and a long
succulent finish. A great vintage from a hot summer. this full-bodied wine spent 22 months
in oak but it is beautifully balanced by the opulent blackcurrant and boysenberry fruit.
Rated 5 stars and No. 1 Cabernet in Cuisine Magazine.
14% alc. Screwcap. $23.99 special.
Mission Jewelstone Cabernet
Sauvignon 2008 Hawkes Bay
This is a dense, deep, concentrated, fine textured wine
with a violet, blackcurrant character, earth, dried herb, cedary oak, hints of cigar leaf
and a firm dry finish. A little restrained at this stage, it's a wine to evolve in the
cellar and reward in 2-3 years time. A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Cabernet
Franc, it was rated 5 stars and No 3 Cabernet in Cuisine Magazine.
13.5% alc. Cork. $34.99.
Babich "The Patriarch"
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 Hawkes Bay
Purple red in colour, this is concentrated, juicy and
succulent with a deep earthy richness and a leafy finish. Quite fragrant, a little herbal
and a little floral with pencil shavings and oak spice, of all the wines so far tonight
this is most Bordeaux-like. A blend of 49% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Malbec and 22% Cabernet
Franc. 4.5 stars and No 3 Cabernet in Cuisine Magazine.
14% alc. Diam. $49.99.
Church Road "Tom" Merlot
Cabernet 2005 Hawkes Bay
A concentrated, shiny purple black, quite fine in
appearance. Although quite restrained on the nose, the scents have ample vinosity and
follow through in the mouth with powdery tannins, powerful cedary oak, opulent
blackcurrant and plum fruit, earth and graphite. Now this definitely has Bordeaux
character with its leafy, herbal notes but has wonderful structure and concentration and
fine-grained tannins that need to evolve. It's a wine that despite being five years old
already will still benefit from cellaring. The flagship wine from Church Road, it's a wine
that's definitely made to last.
13.5% alc. Cork. $99.00.
Check the online
store for current availability and pricing
Fine Wine Wednesday Tasting, 18th August 2010
Mostly Aromatics
Tasting notes by Sue Courtney (www.wineoftheweek.com). Wines were tasted blind.
36 Bottles Central Otago Pinot
Gris 2009
Perfumed and floral, smelling brightly aromatic but with flavours that are soft and
acidity that is gentle. With pears, ripe apple, textural richness and a nice edge of
sweetness to balance the phenolics, this is enjoyable Pinot Gris.
14.1% alc. Screwcap. $26.99.
Te Mata Zara Hawkes Bay Viognier 2009
Delicate perfumed with hints of nougat, this seems a very young wine with pink bubblegum
esters, a peach and tropical fruit freshness and a nutty richness. Texturally pleasing
with low acidity and a touch of spice on the bright fruit finish.
14% alc. Diam. $25.99 special.
Grosset Polish Hill Clare Valley Riesling 2009
A wildly aromatic bouquet with scents of toast and limes, this is very dry with
concentrated fruit that coats the mouth and tempers the nervy acidity. A powerful wine
with lime sherbet, pollen and flowers, Riesling aficionados will be able to see the
quality this baby exudes, a wine to nurture in the cellar because the awkwardness will go
and it will be simply amazing in five years time. Potential celling of 20 years or more.
One of the world's great Rieslings.
13% alc. Screwcap. $47.99.
Toi Toi Marlborough Riesling 2009
Zesty aromatics radiate juicy citrus and honeysuckle and the concentrated flavours deliver
orange peel, lime and hints of tropical fruit. A medium dry Riesling with just enough
sweetness to make it a deliciously juicy quaffer. Gold Medal & Trophy 2009 NZ
International Wine Show.
13% alc. Screwcap. $17.99 special.
Martin Codax Rias Biaxas Albarino 2008
Spain
A floral perfumed wine with nuances of peach, musk and mineral salts. It initially seems
medium in style with moderate acidity, flavours of stonefruit and melon joining apple and
citrus, a touch of honeysuckle, a hint of musk and a more crisp finish that is long and
dry.
12.5% alc. Screwcap. $31.99.
Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009
Subtlety is the driver of this pretty, floral, soft, juicy wine. The bouquet has delicate
scents of violet while there's a touch of pepper complementing the Nashi pear flavours.
Off dry in style and can be well chilled too. Gold Medal Liquorland International Wine
Show.
14% alc. Screwcap. $14.99 special.
Schoffit Alsace Pinot Gris Tradition 2008
A rich, sweet, deep gold coloured wine perfumed with citrus blossom and zest and heading
towards toffee in the palate with hints of musk, honeysuckle and spice, lovely fruit
weight and concentration, and a pleasing touch of viscosity that really seals the deal.
Beautiful wine. 13.3% alc. Cork. $40.99.
Vinoptima Ormond Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2004
Golden in colour and oily in appearance, there's some lanolin notes to the bouquet and
even a suggestion of oak together with honey and botrytis. Spicy and creamy with a savoury
backbone, yet unctuous and sweet. The lingering flavours leave a lasting memory.
Incredibly European-like, yet it's from Gisborne. If you have this in your cellar it is
ready to drink now.
14.5% alc. Cork. $58.99.
d'Arenberg d'Arry's Original McLaren Vale Shiraz
Grenache 2006
Garnet red in colour with initial sweetish confectionary cherry and raspberry flavours,
then it seems dry and spicy with vanillin oak, milk chocolate and a savoury dried herb
undercurrent. A juicy, easy going, medium-bodied quaffer with fine tannins, ready to drink
now.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $19.99 special.
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Red Label
Zinfandel 2008 - California
Deep dark pinkish red in colour, this proved to be the most intriguing, controversial and
comment-inspiring wine of the evening. The aromas are complex and deep, earthy and smoky
and conjure up delicatessen scents of salami and smoky bacon (some people even thought
smoked fish!) Leather and paintbox join the scents that eventually become rich and fruity.
The palate is full-bodied with thick, plush tannins, spiced prunes, pepper, boot leather,
tar, cigar and a meaty savoury finish. The aftertaste is long with fruit taking over at
the end.
13.5% alc. Cork. $40.99.
Francis Coppola Diamond Collection Ivory Label
Cabernet Sauvignon 2007 - California
Deep purple-red colour, a bouquet of herbs, leather, smoked mushroom and cherry, and sweet
cherry fruit flavours make this not Cabernet Sauvignon as we know it. With liquorice,
chocolate, prunes, spice, leather, earth, dried herbs, smoky oak, meaty notes and florals
coming through on the finish, this is fascinating and mouthfilling but nowhere as profound
as the Zin.
13.5% alc. Cork. $43.99.
Saints Vineyards Selection Gisborne Noble
Semillon 2009
Golden yellow in colour, the high-toned aroma is of toasted oak and candied grapefruit
peel. Sweet and honeyish with loads of viscosity and a marmalade finish, there's some
funky acid action going on too but this is characteristic of young sweet wines and will
settle with time.
12% alc. Screwcap. $17.99 special.
Check the online
store for current availability and pricing
Special Monday Tasting, 16th August 2010
Yalumba with Jane Ferrari
Tasting notes by Sue Courtney (www.wineoftheweek.com). Wines were tasted blind.
Jansz Methode
Traditionelle NV Tasmania
Perfumed with hints of fizzy fruit sherbet on the nose. Crisp and steely with a
warm bready backbone and a lovely delicate stonefruit sweetness coming through to temper
the profoundly salty character of the wine. Very refreshing. 12.5% alc. Cork. $21.99
special.
Yalumba Wild Ferment Chardonnay 2007 Eden Valley
Citrine in hue, this has a buttery toasty aroma and a dry, nutty
palate with green melon, apple and grapefruit characters, plenty of acidity in fact and a
buttery coating to round off the finish which is long with lingering nutty savoury oak and
butterscotch persisting.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $16.99 special.
Yalumba Viognier 2007 Eden Valley
Golden in colour, becoming quite interesting and perfumed with age.
A little salty, a little nutty, a little floral, a little musky with savouriness from the
oak and a lovely slipperiness to the texture and of course the quintessential apricot
character that lingers beautifully on the high-toned finish. Long and persistent.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $21.99 special.
Yalumba "The Virgilius" Viognier 2008
South Australia
Perfumed and floral with scents of musk combining with apricot and
nut. Lovely bright, ethereal, aromatic palate with delicate spice and honeysuckle. Ginger
characters become more pronounced filling the mouth with tingling zest. A dry wine with a
silkiness to the oily texture.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $42.99 special.
Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2008 Barossa
Valley
Ruby garnet, translucent. Raspberry jelly fruits, like blackberry
and raspberry jubes, cherries too over a savoury backbone with pepper, tar and dried
herbs. A medium bodied, fruit-driven style with vinous complexity and a lovely dry
finish.. Gold Medal & Trophy Royal Queensland Wine Show.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $17.99 special.
Yalumba Shiraz Viognier 2008 Eden Valley
Dense shiny purple-red with a perfumed of aromatic spices, cherry
and dried roses. Dry, savoury, peppery and spicy to the taste with hints of liquorice, a
suggestion of rose petal and plums. Full-bodied and powerful, but in an elegant way with a
biscuity mid-palate and lifted, long and very peppery finish. More Rhône-like than
traditional Barossa in style.
14% alc. Screwcap. $18.99 special.
Yalumba Patchwork Shiraz 2008 Barossa
Valley
Purple black with red berry scents. A dry savoury wine with a tarry,
earthy, dried herb character, peppery spice and currant-like fruit. Jane says it's a
straight up and down fashioned style with Christmas pudding character, cloves and
cinnamon.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $18.99 special.
Yalumba "The Scribbler" Cabernet Shiraz
2008 Barossa Valley
A deep pinkish red presents this rather more fruit driven, juicy
wine with dried cherry, plum and blueberry fruit supported by cedar, allspice, fine
tannins and a meaty richness. With a hint of cacao adding to the attractive scent, this
blend of 66% Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Shiraz is a stylish wine with a creamy richness.
The best 'Scribbler' we have tasted to date - in fact it was delicious.
14% alc. Screwcap. $19.99 special.
Yalumba "The Signature" Cabernet Shiraz
2005 Barossa Valley
Dark red, black in the core, still pinky on the edges. A lovely fine
tannined wine with a concentrated blackcurrant, plum, blueberry, cedar and spice
character, underpinned with meat and tar. Stylish French oak and a hint of chocolate adds
to the pleasure. Rich, meaty, powerful and long.
14% alc. Cork. $42.99 special.
Yalumba "The Menzies" Cabernet
Sauvignon 2006 Coonawarra
This is a huge, rich, meaty wine with a deep rich red-black colour
and a massive tannin structure. Among the flavour profile are dried herbs, leather, mint,
chocolate, cedar and cassis. Matured in 100% French oak it is long and focussed with a
lasting finish. Gold Medal & Trophy NZ International Wine Show.
14% alc. Cork. $42.99 special.
Yalumba "The Octavius" Old Vine Shiraz
2005 Barossa Valley
Intense purple red in colour this has a concentrated red fruit
sweetness brimming through the wine both on the bouquet and in the palate. The lovely
bittersweet red and black fruit is reminiscent of cherry and blackberry with vanilla,
pepper, liquorice allspice and some floral notes as well. A wine with great depth of
flavour, matured in American oak 90-litre 'octaves' with some French oak now in the mix as
well, and sumptuous tannins that are starting to develop a silky edge.
14% alc. Cork. $99.00.
Yalumba Museum Muscat NV South Australia
Dark amber with a greenish tinge. Powerful, tantalising, raisin and
muscatel aromas and with dried apricot and Muscatel raisin fruit, with caramel, honey and
golden syrup. It's delightfully, tongue coating, viscous in texture with a spirity
richness and a long rich, sweet, finish.
18% alc. Cork. $34.99.
Check the online
store for current availability and pricing
Fine Wine Wednesday Tasting, 11th August 2010
All North Island
Tasting notes by Sue Courtney (www.wineoftheweek.com). Wines were tasted blind.
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc
2008 Hawke's Bay
Clear bright golden hue. Perfumed, mealy, barrel fermented scents
with hints of apricot and rich, powerful creamy flavours with a bright tropical fruit
infusion to the stonefruit and intriguing smoky bacon and nutty yeast flavours. Smooth,
seamless, powerful and long with hints of butterscotch too. A stunning example of a barrel
fermented Sauvignon Blanc with a smidgen of Semillon and Sauvignon Gris. Good.
13% alc. Screwcap. $24.99 special.
Vidal Estate East Coast Viognier 2009
Light yellow gold with hints of nougat, nuts and apricot on the
bouquet, this is a bright high-toned, moderately oily wine with textural richness, smoky
almost musky character, abundant apricot and peach fruit flavours and a long soft finish.
Lovely example of a V wine. Gold and Trophy Liquorland International Wine Show.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $14.99 special.
Goldridge Estate Premium Reserve Hawkes Bay
Chardonnay 2009
Light yellow gold coloured with a spicy, perfumed, almost floral
woody aroma and broad mealy flavours of butter and malolactic characters - a smooth, soft,
easy drinking wine with enough spicy oak to make it interesting, juicy stonefruit and a
creamed nut finish.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $13.99 special.
Church Road Reserve Chardonnay 2008
Moderately deep gold colour. A rich, fat, oily chardonnay with an
alluring smoky oak and ripe stonefruit bouquet, the flavours brim with spicy French oak,
peaches, apricot and cream, and build to an intensely rich and long mouthfilling finish
with a savoury complexity from a stylish winemaking regime. Gold Medal Royal Easter Show
Wine Awards
14% alc. Screwcap. $29.99 special.
Morton Estate White Label Hawkes Bay
Gewurztraminer 2009
Light in colour with perfumed, floral, rose petal, violet and
musk aromas and a pleasing oily texture and although quite dry the heady alcohol gives a
ripe, sweetish, luscious impression. White pepper and ginger add to the complexity and the
finish is hot but served chilled its quite refreshing. Cuisine Five
stars & Top 10.
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $15.99 special.
Dry River Martinborough Pinot Gris 2009
Delicately floral on the nose this is full and rich in the palate
with a white flower delicacy. A honeyed sweetness comes through with a spicy richness,
hints of apple and orange zest, and the finish is nutty and long. A wine to nurture in the
cellar where it will blossom and be at its best in 5-7 years time. NZs greatest
Pinot Gris.
14% alc. Cork. $57.99.
Russian Jack Martinborough Pinot Noir 2009
Translucent garnet/Burgundy red with hints of smoky beetroot, almond
and stewed plum on the nose, this is deliciously savoury tasting with fine silky tannins,
an earthy depth to the wild strawberry and dried herb flavours and becomes more and more
complex with every sip.
14% alc. Screwcap. $16.99 special.
Martinborough Vineyards Te Tera Pinot Noir 2009
Martinborough
Deep ruby with a black core, this is smoky and savoury smelling with
black cherry flavours enhanced by integrated spicy oak, a meaty richness and forest floor
complexity. With its beautifully fine tannin structure it has lots going on for it and
could be another gold medal winner for this label.
14% alc. Screwcap. $26.99 special.
Chateau De Fontenille 2005 - Bordeaux
Medium red in colour, hinting of a little age, the earthy,
barnyard scent carries through to the meaty palate that has grippy tannins, juicy plum and
currant fruit, pencil shavings and dried herb characters. Made from a blend of 60% Merlot,
25% Cabernet Franc and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon, this is an affordable introduction to
Bordeaux.
13% alc. Cork. $24.99.
Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2008
Hawkes Bay
Inky black purple-red. Rich nuggety oak and hints of chocolate on
the nose and ripe blackcurrant and cherry fruit flavours. A clean, bright, ripe, juicy,
mouthfilling wine with harmonious oak, firm velvet-edged tannins, hints of chocolate,
underlying leather and a good long finish. Quality exudes in every direction.
14% alc. Screwcap. $28.99.
Church Road Reserve Hawke's Bay Cabernet Merlot
2007
Inky purple-black, very shiny. Aromas of cedar, vanilla, and cherry
and flavours that brim with vanilla, cassis, cherry and plum. Dry, meaty and spicy with
hints of chicory on a rose petal strewn velvet-covered bed. A big, big wine with a
rounded, luscious, mouthfilling finish and quite outstanding on the night. Gold Medal NZ International Wine Show.
Kingsley says, "A great NZ wine with plenty of grunt from a very good vintage".
14.5% alc. Screwcap. $29.99 special.
Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2008
Hawkes Bay
Inky maroon red. Purples abound in the rich, deep savoury wine with
hint of chocolate on the bouquet and earthy savoury complexities to the flavour with a
spicy richness, a bright pepper infusion and delicious cherry fruit sweetness. A touch of
Viognier makes the tannins supple and smooth and there are hints of rose petals and
chocolate on the finish. Cuisine Five stars & Top 10
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $33.99.
Check the online
store for current availability and pricing
Fine Wine Wednesday Tasting, 4th August 2010
South Island Stars
Tasting notes by Sue Courtney (www.wineoftheweek.com). Wines were tasted blind.
Amisfield Arcadia Brut NV
Central Otago
There's a tinge of pink to the light gold hue of this fine-beaded
bubbles that has a slightly sweetish nutty aroma, cashew perhaps, and a hint of shortcake.
It's very dry to the taste with bright acidity, plenty of zest and spritz and a rounded
bready finish.
12.5% alc. Cork. $19.99 special.
Cloudy Bay Te Koko Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Marlborough
Light golden yellow in colour, this aroma of this wine initially
makes you think, "What is it?" until you realise it is oak aged, alternative,
style Sauvignon Blanc. Wild yeast influences the floral aroma and the flavours are full of
creamy oak, passionfruit and dried pineapple. Theres a funky kind of sewing machine
oil character and the finish is pungent and long.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $49.99.
Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2008
Central Otago
This fresh young wine is light gold in colour with a nutty aroma
reminiscent of the sparkling wine but the flavours are rich and mouthfilling with citrus
and stone fruit and a thread of tropical fruit too. There's spicy oak and lemony, leesy,
almost bready flavours and loads of caramelised pineapple on the rounded finish. A very
stylish wine.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $47.99.
Carrick Cairnmuir Terraces EBM Chardonnay 2007
Central Otago
Yellow gold in colour with mealy aromatics and broad mealy flavours,
this has an earthy, flinty seam running through the wine. It's grainy in texture with
apricot and citrus the dominant fruit, while malolactic characters add a hint of a buttery
richness to the finish.
14% alc. Screwcap. $34.99.
West Brook Blue Ridge Chardonnay 2007
Marlborough
A ripe, juicy wine with a citrine gold colour, an appealing
barrel ferment aroma and lots of rounded caramel flavours with tropical fruit, hints of
grapefruit, a flinty undercurrent and a smooth luscious finish that lasts and lasts. Still
looks incredibly good. Gold Medal NZ International Wine Show.
13.8% alc. Screwcap. $20.99 special.
Mondillo Riesling 2007 Central Otago
Light in colour with a pure lemon aroma and lemon pith and
honeysuckle flavours. A very fine expression of a moderately dry Riesling that shows the
purity that can be achieved from this classic grape, especially in the climate of Central
Otago. Bendigo fruit.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $23.99.
Felton Road Riesling 2009 Central Otago
A medium sweet Riesling that's so reminiscent of a manuka honey and
freshly squeezed lemon drink with just a hint of ginger. Shows lovely fresh acid-driven
purity to balance the honey-like sweetness with an earthy bee pollen character running
through it and zingy finish. Best served well chilled to further pronounce the nervy
acidity.
10%alc. Screwcap. $NA.
Muddy Water Growers Series Lough Vineyard
Riesling 2008 Waipara
Yum! This is gorgeous and is quite sweet but impeccable acid sugar
balance too. Beautiful drinking right now with a seamless texture and flavours of juicy
mandarin, tangelo and honeysuckle and can be well chilled.
13% alc. Screwcap. $15.99 special.
Kim Crawford "Rise and Shine" Pinot
Noir 2007 Central Otago
Deep maroon in colour with a bright, youthful, plummy aroma and a
creamy palate that's quite rich in oak expression, there's an earthy undercurrent, lovely
soft supple tannins, hints of anise and dark concentrated plum and cherry fruit. From the
great vintage, it is still amazingly youthful and offers satisfying drinking.
14% alc. Screwcap. $24.99 special.
Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir 2007 Waipara
Bright purple maroon with an exciting savoury aroma and concentrated
savoury flavours - distinctly earthy, "dirty" (in a nice sense) and definitely
"funky". An evocative wine with spice, liquorice, juicy purple fruits, leather
and forest floor and underlying all this, a firm meaty tannin structure. A superb wine
that you can drink now or cellar a while.
13.5% alc. Screwcap. $49.99.
Akarua Cadence Pinot Noir 2007 Central
Otago
Deep purple red in colour this is a bright spicy wine with a velvety
tannin structure, juicy red and black cherry fruit, a lovely earthy savouriness and hints
of thyme. A wine of balance and harmony, it has a surprisingly light step as it dances and
twirls across the palate and a lasting finish. Bannockburn fruit.
14.3% alc. Screwcap. $35.99 special.
Charles Wiffen Late Harvest Riesling 2007
Marlborough
This burnished gold coloured wine is luscious smelling with a
suggestion of candied citrus and is developing a lime ginger marmalade character. There's
lovely viscosity to the texture with honeysuckle and dried apricot flavours with a hint of
ginger-like spice on the decadent finish.
10% alc. Cork. $34.99. 500ml bottle.
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