|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| SPECIALS OTUWHERO Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2009: Intensely classic Awatere nose. There’s a full bodied palate, rich and mouth-filling with great weight and balance. Harmonious acid contributes to a very persistent finish. Fabulous. $22.00/$15.00 PAULETT’S Clare Valley Riesling 2008: This is Riesling as can only be made in Australia’s Clare Valley. Bone dry, with intense minerality and a firm acid spine, it displays a full spectrum of citric flavours and exhibits great length. Whilst drinking well in its youth, it has the ability to age for many years, when it will develop that intense honeyed character that is the hallmark of great aged Riesling. $28.00/$22.00 CAPE CAMPBELL Gewurtztraminer 2008: This is a mid-weight Gewurtztraminer. Plenty of floral nose here, rose petals are obvious, but there is also that typical hint of Turkish Delight and lychee. In the mouth it is medium dry with the palate reflecting the bouquet. Easy drinking. $24.00/$15.00 TIFFEN HILL Viognier 2009: From a new vineyard, just out of Masterton in the Wairarapa. This is not a Gisborne heavyweight like the TW. Rather more restrained and delicate but still displaying the characteristic flavours of stone fruit and apricot. $24.00/$15.00 NORTHWOOD Pinot Gris 2009: A somewhat floral bouquet with a hint of honeysuckle. Rich, flinty and spicy. Fruit-laden. flavours of, lychees, apples and pears with excellent balance of acidity and an ever so slight sweetness.$20.00/$16.00 COGNESCENTI Chardonnay 2009: Top North Island Chardonnay, 2010 International Chardonnay Challenge. This is a rich and complex wine that shows good aging potential. The aroma shows great complexity and integration of ripe white peach and pink grapefruit, nutty oak and savoury characters from the wild fermentation. $24.00/$20.00 THREE MINERS Pinot Noir 2007: Blue-Gold, Sydney, 2010. Silver and Best in Class, IWS competition, London, 2009. Silver, Hong Kong 2009. Silver, Air NZ 2009, Bragato 2008 and NZIWS 2008. Dark brooding spicy bouquet with notes of blackcurrant and plum. These are reflected in the mouth, together with a silken texture and plenty of warmth and persistence. Top example of Central Otago Pinot Noir. $30.00/$25.00 WILD ROCK Cupid’s Arrow Pinot Noir 2008: Central Otago again. Second label of Craggy Range but none the worse for that. A perfumed bouquet of red and dark cherries, plums, and spice notes. It has long layers of flavour, is full bodied and well-balanced with fine tannins. Excellent value at this price. $27.00/$23.00 MISSION Vineyard Selection Syrah 2008: This is one of those reds I mentioned earlier in this newsletter. Not the biggest red in the world, but oh so fragrant and delicate. Smells like a cupful of violets and the fruit on the palate is floral and intense. May not live forever, but who cares? So worth drinking now. Buy lots! $23.00/$17.00 MISSION Vineyard Selection Merlot 2008: There’s a slightly dusty note in the cedary aroma of this wine. In the mouth, the oak is in harmony and does not dominate the fruit. There is good concentration and sufficient tannin to provide the sound structure for long term maturation. $23.00/$17.00 WILD ROCK Gravel Pit Red 2008: 90 points, 41/2 stars, Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. Gold Medal, champion merlot dominant blend, NZIWS 2009. Vividly coloured, oozing class and finesse, it’s smooth and velvety with seasoned oak, succulent fruit, spices and a touch of chocolate. $20.00/$17.00
|
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
