Yealands Full Circle Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2008 $17 “What goes around comes around” states the label on this plastic bottle. Produced by carbon-zero certified Yealands Estate this 100% recyclable is highly fruity on the nose and in the mouth it’s harmless, easy to drink but just a smidge boring if I’m being totally honest. www.yealands.com
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Te Mania Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2009
Te Mania Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2009 $35 Classic Burgundian colour and heady, intoxicating, cherry, chocolate and hedgerow aromas. In the mouth it has upfront savoury spices, flavoursome rhubarb and plum flavours which pave the way for silky, textural length of flavour that lasts and lasts. Lovely stuff. www.temaniawines.co.nz
Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008
Godelia Bierzo Mencia 2008 $28 This is the first time I’ve tried a wine made from the Mencia grape and I was quite taken with it. Grown in Spain’s newest wine region Bierzo is a Spanish DO (DenominaciÓn de Origen) for wines located in the northwest of the province of LeÓn. Scarlet-black, this Mencia has … Read More
Alluviale Gimblett Road Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
ALLUVIALE GIMBLETT ROAD MERLOT CABERNET FRANC, CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2009 $30 A cracker of a red created by sickeningly handsome winemaking couple, Kate Galloway and David Ramonteau – this wine has beautifully fragrant rosemary, roast beef, dark chocolate, espresso, plum, berry and molasses characters. I love the texture of this wine in the mouth with finely-grained … Read More
Mt Difficulty Long Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Mt Difficulty Long Gully Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 $90 You can’t be a pinot noir fan in New Zealand without having heard of Mount Difficulty (or “Mount D” as the cool people in the trade say) The Long Gully vineyard used to be the old ‘oat paddock’ for Kawarau Station before the Dicey family … Read More
Redwood Cellars
Redwood Cellars Mulled Wine $16 If you’re not inclined to slave over a hot stove when it comes to creating this classic winter warmer, then this is the just the ticket. Scented with ripe, plummy fruit and hot cross bun spices; it’s a tangy, sweet, juicy microwaveable treat. A steaming mug whilst watching the campfire … Read More
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $21 * * * ½ Dried herbs, ripe plum, sweet cocoa, wild mint and a vein of smoky, cedary, spiciness will wash across your tastebuds as soon as you sip this gutsy red. The acidity is fresh and the tannins quite chewy, which bodes well for those of … Read More
Alpha Domus The Navigator
Alpha Domus The Navigator 2004 $25 ***** The fact that this wine is only $25 a bottle astounds me. It is one of Hawkes Bay’s most popular Bordeaux blends and after one sip it’s glaringly obvious as to why. It’s almost a crime to have this wine shut away in a bottle – there should … Read More