Wolf Blass Grey Label Shiraz Cabernet 2009 $45 Created from fruit sourced from two regions in South Australia’s Limestone Coast, Robe and Mount Benson. It’s a wine that’s walking away with trophy’s left, right and centre – and it’s easy to see why because it’s just so incredibly well-built. Lifted pepper and smoke wrap around … Read More
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Te Mata Coleraine 2009
The Te Mata Coleraine 2009 $80 is absolutely destined for greatness. A blend of 52% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 5% cabernet franc, the colour is impenetrably inky, glossy magenta-black. Perfumed with dark berries, exotic spices cocoa and rose, it oozes plush, plump fruit, soft, smoky notes, youthful acidity and has silky, ribbon-like tannins on the finish. … Read More
Trinity Hill Homage Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2009
Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 2009 $120 It only took two or three sips for me to declare to my husband that when I die he’d better bury me with a bottle of this wine in my coffin – or there’ll be trouble. The Homage is only made when the fruit is exceptional and the 2009 … Read More
Trinity Hill Hawke’s Bay Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2010
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
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
Tukipo River Estate Fat Duck Pinot Noir 2009
Tukipo River Estate Fat Duck Pinot Noir 2009 $48 In a word, jaw-dropping. Roland Norman has created a wine exotically perfumed with cherrywood smoke, hedgerow fruits, lush, forest leaf litter and japonica. I love the wild strawberry and rhubarb flavours and its silky, slippery mouthfeel. It’s an absolutely sensational example and one I desperately wish … Read More
Penny’s Hill ‘The Veteran’ Very Old Fortified
Penny’s Hill ‘The Veteran’ Very Old Fortified $42 This South Australian fortified shiraz oozes aromas of rose caramel, toffee and manuka honey lead to deep raisin and Christmas pudding spices followed by a smooth, silky finish. For local stockists visit www.federalgeo.co.nz