NEW LOVE ON THE BLOCK Years ago, when I was just starting out in this business, I remember attending a snazzy wine tasting event in Auckland. I was desperately trying (and failing) to look professional while struggling to hold my laughably large handbag, my pen, my notebook, my dictaphone and my wine glass. I was … Read More
Central Otago
It’s a Central Otago Fest at the Foodstore October 17th! Click image to view…
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Rockburn ‘The Art’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 $80 ★★★★★ Deep and brooding in the glass, it oozes sweet black tea, black cherry and spice while in the mouth it reveals a peacocks-tail of flavours redolent of dried herbs, succulent plum and cocoa characters. It’s a masculine yet elegant wine with real finesse, tension and a … Read More
AMISFIELD CENTRAL OTAGO DRY RIESLING 2010
AMISFIELD CENTRAL OTAGO DRY RIESLING 2010, $30 Subtle mango sorbet and delicate limey citrus notes are what you’ll find on the nose, yet in the mouth it’s a different pot of pesce altogether. Full flavoured, rich, concentrated fruit flavours are fleshed out with mineral-driven intensity, lipsmacking acidity and punch on the palate. It’s a beautiful … Read More
Selaks Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011
Selaks Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2011 $21 The latest edition to the Reserve, or Black Label range from Selaks, and it’s a pleasant drop especially for those new to pinot. Red cherry, rhubarb and upfront spicy notes on the nose are followed by very soft, almost subdued fruit and earth characters on the palate. … Read More
Locharburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
Locharburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011 $26 This just hits Central Otago Pinot Gris on the button. Fresh pear and peach notes are edged with a creamy, almondy complexity, wet stone minerality and a burst of cleansing sweetness on the finish. A lovely example from this tiny, Cromwell-based producer. www.locharburnwines.co.nz
Tatty Bogler Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011
Tatty Bogler by Forrest Estate Central Otago Pinot Gris 2011 $25 Wow! Prepare for a burst of juicy white peach, nashi pear and coconut ice confection on the nose and an absolutely gorgeous splash of sweetness, clean, refreshing acidity and rich, mouthcoating magic on the palate. This is a superb example of the heights pinot … Read More
Auburn Affair…
I love the first line on the Auburn Wines website “We grow Riesling. We craft Riesling. We love Riesling. A lot.” A. Because it intrinsically explains why they chose to become New Zealand’s only riesling-exclusive winery, and B. They used the words “A lot” instead of the words “Bigtime”, “Totally” or “Fully” which they easily … Read More
Rockburn Wines ‘Tigermoth’ Central Otago Riesling 2011
Rockburn Wines ‘Tigermoth’ Central Otago Riesling 2011 $27 Wow. Where to start? Is it the gorgeous, lifted floral, mineral and citrus-driven aromatics. Or maybe the intense honeysuckle, lime and juicy nectarine notes in the mouth. It could definitely be the stunning line of acidity that sews all of these elements together seamlessly. Whatever it is, … Read More
Weaver Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Weaver Estate Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 $36 I am loving this debut pinot from this shiny-new, Alexandra-based family estate. It is intensely perfumed with cherry, boysenberry, violet, black tea and sandalwood. Silky and slippery in the mouth, it has delicious, spicy warmth, superb depth and delicious length of flavour. While there’s a good few … Read More