Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010

7 September 2011By Yvonne

Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010 $22  Inspired by the upcoming Rugby madness, 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 … Read More

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009

7 September 2011By Yvonne

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009 $57  Glossy, magenta flecked with crimson it has exotic plum blossom, blackberry and cocoa aromas and one sip shows beautiful, multilayered texture in the mouth.  Excellent fruit concentration, and the 37% cabernet sauvignon component is robust and ripe providing a solid backbone for the merlot, malbec and franc.  It … Read More

Lime Rock Central Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2008

7 September 2011By Yvonne

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 

Te Mania ‘Big Balls’ Nelson Syrah 2010

31 August 2011By Yvonne

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

30 August 2011By Yvonne

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

Ti Point Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010

14 August 2011By Yvonne

Ti Point Two Merlot Cabernet Franc 2010 $22  Matakana winemaker Tracy Haslam has created a really tasty wine with bright berryfruit, smoke and pepper notes on the nose followed by lovely plush, fruit-forward tannins and a ripe, robust finish.  A definite crowd-pleaser and absolutely lovely with steak and kidney pie.  www.tipoint.co.nz

Brown Brothers Shiraz 2009

14 August 2011By Yvonne

Brown Brothers Shiraz 2009 $18  A classic, super-drinkable shiraz  from Australia’s oldest family-owned winery.  Stewed plum, pepper and roast beef aromas lead to a ripe, spicy mouthfeel which makes it very easy to drink.  Regularly discounted to $13 – $15 in supermarkets, it represents fantastic value for money and definitely won’t disappoint.  Widely available www.brownbrothers.com.au

Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Syrah 2009

14 August 2011By Yvonne

Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Syrah 2009 $55  This is fast becoming a bit of a superstar where Gimblett Gravels syrah is concerned, winemaker Tony Bish and his team have well and truly got world-class syrah in their sights and they’ve got the skills to achieve it.  Beautiful magenta-black colour and oozing deliciously peppery, violet, plum and … Read More

Gibbston Valley Wines Pinot Noir 2009

14 August 2011By Yvonne

Gibbston Valley Wines Pinot Noir 2009 $42  Densely coloured and powerfully scented with dried herbs, forest-floor notes, black tea and bitter cherry.  In the mouth the tannins are fresh, spicy and showing some richness and grip on the long, lingering finish.  It’s an incredibly floral, lush pinot which has a good backbone for cellaring yet … Read More

Mills Reef Reserve Merlot Malbec 2009

14 August 2011By Yvonne

Mills Reef Reserve Merlot Malbec 2009 $24  A Gimblett Gravels wine already with a gold medal from the San Francisco Wine Show under its belt, it’s a lovely wine which will definitely appeal to anyone who loves ripe, sweetly exotic black fruits, anise, mace and soft peppery perfume in their reds.  This wine got the … Read More