Squawking Magpie ‘The Stoned Crow’ Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2009 $40 Inky-dark and packed with concentrated plum, cocoa, sexy spices and lifted dried-herb aromatics. In the mouth it is luscious, juicy and elegantly flavoursome. The tannins are solid, present yet beautifully integrated and contribute to stunning length of flavour. This is a superb wine which is … Read More
Uncategorized
27th August 2011 Is colour all it’s cracked up to be?
Is Colour all it’s cracked up to be? One of the unique aspects of this job is that over the course of a year you get to try an immense array of wines from week to week and your tastebuds are constantly tested because they’re never allowed a dull moment. Many of the wines I … Read More
Emerson’s Limited Edition Southern Clam Stout
Emerson’s Limited Edition Southern Clam Stout 6% 500ml $9 I’ve tasted oyster stouts but never a clam stout, this one however is dark and inky with a foamy, coffee-creme coloured head. On the nose it’s distinctly marmitey with a hint of dried kelp and salty seafood notes. In the mouth it’s intense, with charred, iodine-like … Read More
Babich Headwaters Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Babich ‘Headwaters’ Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $25 Aromatically it’s definitely on the herbaceous, slightly vegetal end of the spectrum and in the mouth it has a sharp, gooseberry and greengage flavour, however it’s a little disjointed on the finish.
Godelia Bierzo Godello 2009
Godelia Bierzo Godello 2009 $25 Scenic Cellars in Taupo have just taken possession of an exciting new wine made by Godelia from little-known variety Godello located in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo. Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn. The DO covers 23 … Read More
Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008
Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008 $28 This is the first time I’ve tried a wine made from the Mencia grape and I was quite taken with it. Grown in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn. Scarlet-black, this Mencia has … Read More
Seifried Nelson Gewurztraminer 2011
SEIFRIED NELSON GEWURZTRAMINER 2011 $12 – $17 Tried this for the first time yesterday and thought it was pretty darn nice. All those classic aromas of Turkish delight, spicy ginger and peach lead to a juicy, fresh finish. Not overly sweet, but just enough to make an impression. Seifried are legends at making gewürztraminer, and … Read More
Radio NZ National Wine Recommendations 4th November 2011
Spent a superb couple of days in Marlborough last weekend at the bi-annual Marlborough Wine Weekend celebrations where wine fans like me got the chance to immerse ourselves in very focused, specialised tastings of different styles and wines from various sub-regions in some absolutely spectacular locations. It’s a great way to see how diverse our … Read More
Michael Cooper releases new Buyer’s Guide & Wine Atlas of NZ January 2009
Michael Cooper releases new Buyer’s Guide & Wine Atlas of NZ January 2009 Known for years as the moustachioed mouthpiece of the New Zealand wine industry, the whiskery walrus of wine knowledge, the ginger-haired ghost that lurks in the shadows waiting to pounce on the unjust or slightly suss on behalf of innocent wine consumers … Read More