Elephant Hill Airavata Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2009 $90 ★★★★★ Wow! Inky, purple-black in the glass and what a nose! Seductive aromas of plum paste, white pepper and chocolate lead to spicy, luscious liquorice and Belgian biscuit flavours, which are just fantastic. Winemaker Steve Skinner has created a really special wine here, with delicious warmth, succulence and … Read More
Archives
Sherwood Estate RD1 Waipara Syrah 2010
Sherwood Estate RD1 Waipara Syrah 2010 $29 ★★★½ Dayne and Jill Sherwood have been growing grapes and making wine in Canterbury for 25 years, and with expert guidance from winemaker Petter Evans they’ve managed to add a tasty little southern syrah to their repertoire. Lots of sweet, juicy red fruits on the nose and palate with … Read More
Mahurangi River Estate Matakana Syrah 2010
Mahurangi Estate Matakana Syrah 2010 $45 ★★★★½ There’s not much of this about and it’s easy to see why people have been snapping it up. Packed with raspberry, blackcurrent and plum characters and has a gentle, smooth, chocolatey finish. So drinkable it’s dangerous. www.mahurangiriver.co.nz
Goldie Wines Waiheke Syrah 2010
Goldie Wines Waiheke Syrah 2010 $36 ★★★★ A rich, savoury wine with a lovely layer of ripe fruit sweetness, pomegranate, pepper and plum flavours alongside solid tannins and a warm, smooth finish. I would love to try this wine again in another year or so because I think it’ll be great with some extra time. www.goldiewines.co.nz
Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009
Mountford Estate Pinot Noir 2009 $72 ★★★★★ Absolutely gorgeous fresh berry aromatics combined with musky, perfumed, pot-pourri and rhubarb crumble characters in the mouth. I love the luscious raspberry, 5-spice and cherry cola succulence. It’s pricey, and higher in alcohol (14.5%) than most, but it’s sensational nonetheless. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz
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
Saint Clair Premium Marlborough Merlot 2010
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
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
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
WOLF BLASS GOLD LABEL BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2009
WOLF BLASS GOLD LABEL BAROSSA SHIRAZ 2009, $25 If the heady, exotic perfume of red rose, anise, cigarbox, sweet dark cocoa, violets and seasoned leather don’t wow you, the succulent dark fruit flavours and velvety finish definitely will. It’s a sensational wine, in the true Aussie style but without a hint of jamminess. The acidity … Read More