Lime Rock Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2008 $29 Attractive garnet-red colour and simply oozes fresh raspberry, cherry and hedgerow-fruit essences. In the mouth it has purity of fruit combined with wild game notes and sexy, earthy spices. If that doesn’t grab you, the long, silky, slippery finish definitely will. Just lovely. www.limerock.co.nz
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Cloudy Bay Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $35 Golden and glossy, this wine boasts layers of white peach, tangelo and grapefruit pith aromas which are so enticing it’s quite tricky actually wrenching your nose away so you can actually put it in your mouth! But it’s worth it because this chardonnay has succulent stonefruit and creamy, nutty, … Read More
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Mud House Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011 Passionfruit sorbet and crushed herbs on the nose merge with a spritzy-sweet burst of lemon and lime in the mouth. Shiney and new it’s a sure-fire sauvignon that’s classic, tangy and long on flavour. A terrific match for fresh seafood, particularly paua fritters drizzled with lemon juice or pan-seared … Read More
Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010
Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010 $22 Inspired by the Rugby World Cup, winemaker Steve Gill says it’s an ideal accompaniment to roast springbok and deep fried wallaby and also “to wash down any English puddings”. Ripe and robust, peppery and smooth, it’s dangerously easy to drink. Created as a hearty, ribsticking wine to enjoy … Read More
Alpha Domus ‘The Barnstormer’ Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2010
Alpha Domus The Barnstormer HB Syrah 2010 $27 A sexy, glossy magenta-coloured wine oozing aromas of freshly ground black pepper, roast beef and ripe berryfruit. It is deliciously silky to drink and boasts fresh blackberry and liquorice flavours with a smoky undercurrent which leads to a long finish complete with clinging, muscular tannins. A lovely match … Read More
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Astrolabe Kekerengu Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 $27 If you’re after bog-standard, simple sauvignon blanc then move along because this wine is something else! Crafted by Simon Waghorn, one of New Zealand’s most experienced sauvignon stylists, the cooler growing temperatures of 2010 are definitely evident in the herbal, nettle, asparagus and brassica-like aromas. In … Read More
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2010
Lawson’s Dry Hills Gewurztraminer 2009 $22 I love the nose on this wine! Subtle, mineral-like aromas with hints of rose petal, lychee and a burst of candyfloss lead the way to a crisp, clean, refreshing mouthfeel with a hint of sweetness. It doesn’t ooze the intense richness of previous vintages, but it has a lovely … Read More
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008
Forrest Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2008 $22 Gorgeous ripe grapefruit and mandarin aromas combine with solid toasty oak notes and a rich, attractive bacon-like character really rounds out the complexity of this wine. Lovely fresh acidity and juicy length of flavour makes it a superb match with classic roast chicken or seared scallops wrapped in bacon. … Read More
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
NZ International Wine Show 2011
Righto…8.44am and I’m about to head into the second day of judging at the NZIWS at North Harbour Stadium. 80 Pinot Noir and 60 Shiraz await my team – Jane Skilton MW, Michael Ivecevich and Damian Fisher. Sorry teeth, but it’s gonna be a big one.