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
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Alpha Domus ‘The Barnstormer’ Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2010
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
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
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
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
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
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
Rippon Tinkers Field Pinot Noir 2009
Rippon ‘Tinkers Field’ Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2009 $95 Yes, you are right, it is that price. But I guarantee if you try this you’ll quickly realize that the last thing you spent ninety dollars on didn’t give you half the satisfaction as just one sip of the Tinkers Field. Biodynamically produced from one of … Read More
Black Barn Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2009
Black Barn Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2009 $59 Lifted plum, prune, dried herbs, cedar and exotic smokey notes open the door to a burst of blackberry, pepper, juicy red liquorice and tangy earthy flavours in the mouth. I love cabernet franc, and this example really makes a massive impression with delicious presence and solid length … Read More
Kate Radburnd Vine Velvet Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2009
Kate Radburnd Vine Velvet Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2009 $19 Ultra-fruity aromas of raspberry, cherry and liquorice while on the palate it is lush and beautifully ripe; the finish is warm, smooth and super-satisfying. Fantastic value for money and an absolute winner with roast lamb studded with garlic and rosemary. www.kateradburnd.co.nz