Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010 $35 Perfumed with intense dark berryfruit, plum, dried thyme and violet notes while in the mouth it bursts with fresh, juicy, ripe fruit, hints of smoke and cocoa and deliciously savoury spices. Complex and concentrated, it has muscular elegance and silky, warming length of flavour. One of … Read More
Author: Yvonne
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2010
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2010 $22 Sexy inky purple colour and aromas of roast beef, rosemary, ripe plum and cuddly cocoa notes. Boasting youthful acidity, beautiful structure, elegance in the mid palate and the tannins are chewy but stylishly knitted together. It’s a ‘drink now’ wine representing superb value for money.
Sherwood Estate Waipara Syrah 2009
Sherwood Estate’s 2009 Syrah ($28) was the lucky last wine in the line and I loved its classic blackcurrant, pepper and violet aromas, concentrated fruit sweetness and layers of spice and texture.
Mount Beautiful Cheviot Hills Pinot Noir 2009
I loved the Mount Beautiful 2009 Pinot Noir ($29) with its aromas of black tea, rosemary, cherry and earthy leaf-litter. Lush, silky and fresh in the mouth, it is absolutely stunning stuff.
Fancrest Estate Di’s Pinot Noir
Fancrest Estate 2010 Di’s Pinot Noir ($42) is deeply coloured and perfumed with black tea, and savoury, earthy notes which carry through to the palate. The tannins have definite grip, and the fruit is ripe and robust enough to indicate great potential in the cellar. www.fancrest.com
Waipara Hills Equinox Pinot Gris 2011
Waipara Hills Equinox Pinot Gris 2011 ($27) has classic fresh-cut pear and quince aromas and an incredibly concentrated burst of white peach and spicy pear flavours in the mouth. It’s a great example and dangerously drinkable.
Bellbird Spring Block 8 Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Bellbird Spring ‘Block Eight’ Sauvignon Blanc 2010 ($31) Beautifully aromatic, showing soft, finely tuned oak influence, elderflower, white peach and lemony characters. It’s a stunning exercise in restraint with all the flavours and textures working in harmony, finishing with complex minerality and excellent persistence of flavour. www.bellbirdspring.co.nz
Sherwood Estate Laverique 2008
As far as sparkling wines go, the Sherwood Estate 2008 Laverique ($30) is now a new favourite. A 50/50 blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, its lean, lemony aromas and elegant, minerally mouthfeel made it lovely to drink. Rich, toasty and fresh, it has personality, poise and fantastic length of flavour. www.sherwood.co.nz. I have to be honest and … Read More
Waipara? Why Not!
Waipara’s where your wildest dreams come true… Fourty minutes drive north of Christchurch central and you’re in Waipara, which is (after an incredibly generous spring) an absolutely stunning looking, heaving mass of lush, green grapevines. Until relocating to Canterbury back in January, I’m embarrassed to say that I’d only ever visited the region once; even … Read More
Black Estate Omihi Series Chardonnay 2010
Black Estate Omihi Series Waipara Chardonnay 2010 $31 If this is the standard of chardonnay Waipara is capable of then that makes me a very excited girl indeed. I love the way it smells like fresh peach and pineapple spread on a buttered crumpet. In the mouth it’s vibrant, concentrated and creamy, with silky … Read More