Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2010 $59 ★★★★★ Inky purple in the glass and boasts aromas of pomegranate molasses, sweet fruit-wood smoke and prune followed by layers of complex, berry and cocoa notes. It’s built like a skyscraper, each level opening up to a floor with a different décor. With … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Newton Forrest Cornerstone 2010
Newton Forrest Cornerstone 2010 $60 ★★★★★ Glossy and gorgeous in the glass, but prepare to be seduced by the hot-cross bun and Christmas pudding perfume. If you can tear your nose away from the glass for long enough to sip – you’ll be rewarded with buxom berry and chocolate flavours and a smooth, velvety texture. … Read More
Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2010
Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2010 $120 ★★★★★ “2010 is quite possibly the best we’ve ever done” announced winemaker Warren Gibson as I sat down to a vertical tasting of Homage dating back to the debut 2002 vintage. It’s a wine only made in the most exceptional years, and the 2010 is definitely one of the … Read More
Babich Irongate Gimblett Graves Cabernet Merlot Franc 2010
Babich Irongate Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Merlot Franc 2010 $35 ★★★★★ Intense red rose, berry and seasoned leather aromas open up to punchy plum flavours and a deliciously warming, medicinal mouthfeel. I love how poised and elegant this wine is, and the persistence of flavour is just outstanding. www.babichwines.co.nz
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2009
Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2009 $90 ★★★★★ Wow! Inky, purple-black in the glass and what a nose! Seductive aromas of plum paste, white pepper and chocolate lead to spicy, luscious liquorice and Belgian biscuit flavours, which are just fantastic. Winemaker Steve Skinner has created a really special wine here, with delicious warmth, succulence and … Read More
William Murdoch Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010
William Murdoch Syrah 2010 $35 ★★★★ I really like this snazzy, certified organic syrah sourced from Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels subregion, because of its bright, vibrant violet, plum and pepper perfume and its lean, elegant, medium-bodied mouthfeel. It has lovely texture and a long, spicy finish.
Sherwood Estate RD1 Waipara Syrah 2010
Sherwood Estate RD1 Waipara Syrah 2010 $29 ★★★½ Dayne and Jill Sherwood have been growing grapes and making wine in Canterbury for 25 years, and with expert guidance from winemaker Petter Evans they’ve managed to add a tasty little southern syrah to their repertoire. Lots of sweet, juicy red fruits on the nose and palate with … Read More
Mahurangi River Estate Matakana Syrah 2010
Mahurangi Estate Matakana Syrah 2010 $45 ★★★★½ There’s not much of this about and it’s easy to see why people have been snapping it up. Packed with raspberry, blackcurrent and plum characters and has a gentle, smooth, chocolatey finish. So drinkable it’s dangerous. www.mahurangiriver.co.nz
Goldie Wines Waiheke Syrah 2010
Goldie Wines Waiheke Syrah 2010 $36 ★★★★ A rich, savoury wine with a lovely layer of ripe fruit sweetness, pomegranate, pepper and plum flavours alongside solid tannins and a warm, smooth finish. I would love to try this wine again in another year or so because I think it’ll be great with some extra time. www.goldiewines.co.nz
I’m up for Summer Love…
If you travel twenty minutes west of Christchurch on the West Coast Road (SH73) you’ll enter the leafy locale known as West Melton which is home to a plucky community of winegrowers including Melton Estate. Previously known as Sherwood Estate, the Melton Estate winery is the brainchild of Philip Caunter, a million-miles-an-hour man who can … Read More