Saint Clair Marlborough Premium Merlot 2010 $21 ★★★½ This has such a gorgeous aroma, boysenberry, plum with a waft of espresso – while in the mouth it is ripe, juicy and very very drinkable. Merlot from Marlborough is looking rather marvelous indeed! www.saintclair.co.nz
Craggy Range Te Muna Road Pinot Noir 2011 $43 ★★★★ Sourced from one of the most spectacularly scenic vineyards in the Martinborough region comes this shiny new pinot which is already showing excellent depth of flavour for one so young. Sexy and fragrant with hints of mace, truffle, hedgerow fruits and cherry while in the … Read More
Mills Reef Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2011 $18 ★★★★ This is an absolute plum and spice fest in a glass. Loaded with bright berry fruit and yet it’s also very smooth, chocolatey, with a hint of liquorice which is followed by a warming, meaty mouthfeel. Great value. www.millsreef.co.nz
2007 Te Mata Cape Crest $30 (★★★★★) is sublime and then some. Delicious toasty notes on the nose combine with elderflower, freshly milled timber and crushed herb characters all followed by a burst of white peach and lime and finished with harmonious, honeysuckle-like loveliness. Delicate and minerally with a seam of coconut and lime pannacotta running … Read More
If you’ve been hiding under a rock for the last week or so would you have missed the news that The Ned Sauvignon Blanc 2011 by Marisco Vineyards won the International Trophy for ‘Best in Show Sauvignon Blanc Under £10’ at the Decanter World Wine Awards in London. This is good news for two reasons, … Read More
Invercargill Brewery Pitch Black Imperial Stout 9% 330ml $8 If you’re a fan of their 4.5% Pitch Black stout then you’ll no doubt be crowing “Amazeballs!” from the rooftops when you try this re-worked, double strength version. They’ve doubled the original recipe and halved the water which meant the mash got stuck and then after the … Read More
The 2012 Sauvignon Blanc is classic Cloudy Bay. Lifted and punchy aromatics presented in an elegant and sophisticated fashion, the 2012 vintage has great balance and poise, showing a delicious core of lime-‐citrus flavour and a fresh, crisp acid structure. 25% less Sauvignon Blanc was produced in Marlborough this year due to the lowest temperature … Read More
One Million Cases of New Zealand Pinot Noir New Zealand is now exporting well over one million cases of Pinot Noir a year. No surprise considering UK’s wine writer Jamie Goode recent comments that within 10 years New Zealand could be known for making the world’s consistently best Pinot Noir & Syrah. “That is 14 … Read More
CRUMBS! WE ARE UP TO EPISODE 5 ALREADY – WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?? Tonight it’s Wairau – Wai not? 9.30pm tonight on FoodTV We crisscross the country with Mr Million-Miles-An-Hour Dr John Forrest and get all medieval on it with the lads from Renaissance Brewing. Old Mout Cider is on our radar – and … Read More
SEPTEMBER 2012 PROGRAMME HIGHLIGHTS “SWEET SEPTEMBER” heston’s feast (new to food tv) MONDAY 12.30pm, 4.30pm, 8.30pm FROM 17th September 5X60 Heston Blumenthal becomes a gastronomic timelord as he turns off his blowtorch, puts on his chef whites and travels back in time to culinary worlds that have gone un-tasted for centuries to … Read More