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
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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
Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 $40 I was so mesmerised by the sexy red currant, cranberry, tamarillo, sweet rhubarb and spicy, cocoa-edged aromas that I had to remind myself to stop sniffing and actually take a sip. Thank the lord I did because this is superb stuff. Silky, fleshy and sewn together with elegantly … Read More
Matua Single Vineyard Matheson Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2009
Matua ‘Single Vineyard’ Matheson Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2009 $69 Ruby-hued and exhibiting saucy aromas of plum compote and chocolate while in the mouth it has succulent cherry, blackberry and enticing spices. The oak is beautifully integrated, the acidity is elegant, the alcohol is warming and the finish is solid and muscular. Definitely a wine for … Read More
Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto Unplugged 2011
Heron’s Flight Matakana Dolcetto Unplugged 2011 $25 If you’re after an ultra-smooth, ripe and ready red then this will definitely spin your wheels. Soft plummy aromas with hints of cocoa and dried herbs, there’s a splash of blackberry and a warming, beefy finish. www.heronsflight.co.nz