-
Chateau Lagrave Paran 2009
10/06/11
NZD $26.95 NZD $24.95
Vintage 2005 and now 2009 have become absolute classics in Bordeaux. Chateau Lagrave Paran 2009 that a lot of you will be very familiar with, we have tried this alongside many Bordeaux blend wines from various areas and is just up there with a lot of them at double the price. Ideally this is something that should be kept for a little while, around 3-5 years and at $24.95, it is almost impossible to get any better. Medium to full bodied with hints of smoke, leather and dust yet with very clear and precise fruit, ripe, beautifully balanced with lovely structure and concentration. A wine that you would put alongside many others at $50 or $60 and is just as good, if not better. For those of you who know it, you will know exactly what we are talking about, and for those who haven’t tried it, it’s worth getting some so you will find out!
-
Chateau Haut Batailley 2003
08/20/08
NZD $89.95 NZD $84.95
This particular property situated in Pauillac is classified as a 5th growth and has gone from strength to strength over the last 10-15 years. The 2003 vintage is a remarkably hot one but very suited to Pauillac, Haut-Batailley made an absolutely classic wine, a complete charmer. This is typical Pauillac with its cider and lead pencil aromas, big concentration of blackberry fruit flavours, compote and medium to full bodied. As with most 2003s the wines are very approachable now but will also cellar for a number of years. For anyone wanting a superb blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, this is it. Outstanding depth and vibrancy yet remaining very clean and pure. Cellar for 8-10 years.
-
Tenuta San Guido Sassicaia 2003
08/19/08
NZD $219.95 NZD $204.95
It's not often that we offer this particular Super Tuscan as more often than not the price is prohibitive. This is the original Super Tuscan that challenged conventional winemaking and tradition in Tuscany. Since its beginning in 1968, its reputation has spread worldwide, of course we are talking about a wine which rivals any top Bordeaux and we are talking about 1st growths such as Chateau Lafite, Latour, Margaux etc. Made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the main Bordeaux varieties, the 2003 vintage was characterized by intense heat and huge ripeness yet Sassicaia has still made an outstanding wine which is beautifully balanced and clean with great purity. It will need 7-8 years to achieve maturity but it already shows an incredible pedigree and great potential.
-
St. Nesbit 2007
08/18/08
NZD $74.95 NZD $69.95
The second release of one of the cult wines of New Zealand. This is without doubt one of the most Bordelais styled reds in this country. The 2007 vintage is probably a little young at the moment but as always the case with St. Nesbit, it is capable of ageing extremely well. At the moment it expresses excellent acidity, good fruit with evenly ripe tannins and medium to full bodied it is still a little young but will develop for 7-8 years. The middle palate is almost reminiscent of a Rioja Gran Reserva with excellent offerings of mocca, tobacco, lead pencil and showing perfect balance and harmony. Drink now or cellar for another 8 years plus.
-
Chateau Vieux Robin 2000
08/08/08
NZD $39.95
Out of Stock
An outstanding example of a superb Médoc from a classic vintage. The wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc and exhibits terrific mouth feel and good length with pedigree. At 6 years of age it is pretty much drinking at its peak though will also keep evolving over the next 3-4 years. This wine falls into the classification of Cru Bourgeois which really represents outstanding value for money. The palate is refined, with hints of savoury notes, black truffle, espresso and cassis. Ideal with roast beef, aged cheese etc.
-
Pleasant Valley Merlot Cabernet Franc 2006
08/08/08
NZD $21.95 NZD $18.95
Pleasant Valley Red All This came on a St. Emilion tasting which was thrown in purely by chance and we really didn't have a clue where it was from, in fact none of us picked it as being from New Zealand and when we looked at the price definitely not from Waiheke, it was far to cheap to be from there. Cabernet Franc is not the easiest grape to ripen and not the easiest grape to grow either that's why we didn't think that it would be from New Zealand. It really exhibits a wonderful perfume of dry earth and truffle, great acidity, pure and yet still concentrated. Lovely richness and succulent with an array of wild berries but still very well integrated, vibrant, fresh with excellent finish, this is really equal to many $40-$50 wines out there. Enjoy now or over the next 3-4 years.
-
Chateau Pierbone 2005
08/08/08
NZD $34.95 NZD $32.95
Out of Stock
Like many other wineries in Bordeaux, Chateau Pierbone had an exceptional 2005 vintage. Made from mostly Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot the wine expresses the terroir of the Haut-Medoc being full bodied yet steely with very tight fine grain tannins. This is magnificent Bordeaux from one of the best vintages ever, at the price it is exceptional value, drinking now or over the next 4-5 years.
-
Chateau Lafon La Tuilerie 2005
08/08/08
NZD $69.95 NZD $64.95
Out of Stock
2005 was one of the best vintages on record in Bordeaux. Seeing the prices of other 2005 Bordeaux, this is a sure thing in fact it's a complete steal! Owned and operated by the Lafon family well known in Bordeaux as wine growers and makers, this is pretty much the flagship of the company. 2005 is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon, its incredibly ripe and concentrated. On the nose it displays cassis, floral undergrowth, tar and mint. Because of the nature of the 2005 vintage, it offers superb ripe tannins, interlinked with espresso froth, mocca, lead pencil yet remaining fresh, pure and vibrant. Superb 10-15 second finish with excellent length. An outstanding offering for those that love classic Bordeaux at its best. Cellar for 8 years plus.
-
Te Mata Coleraine 2008
08/08/08
NZD $83.95 NZD $58.95
Out of Stock
Widely regarded as NZ’s greatest red wine. Exceptionally long lived it shows concentrated dark berry characters, a firm, finely textured palate with a sustained finish. A powerful full-bodied wine that rewards cellaring, Coleraine will evolve over 10-15 years.
-
La Chenade 2004
08/08/08
NZD $39.95 NZD $34.95
Out of Stock
This fruit-accented wine should provide enjoyable drinking as soon as it is in bottle. It is fresh, fruity and agreeable with notes of cassis (40% Cabernet Franc and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon in the blend) and crisp, grainy tannins. One of the best examples of a very well priced Pomerol which due to its vintage and characteristics offers excellent value for money drinking when young but also will develop for another 5-6 years.
-
Chateau Lafon La Tuilerie 2002
08/08/08
NZD $59.95 NZD $53.95
Seeing the prices of 2005 Bordeaux, this is a sure thing in fact it's a complete steal! Owned and operated by the Lafon family well known in Bordeaux as wine growers and makers, this is pretty much the flagship of the company. 2002 is a blend of Cabernet Franc, Merlot and a touch of Cabernet Sauvignon. On the nose it displays cassis, floral undergrowth, tar and mint and offers superb ripe tannins, interlinked with espresso froth, mocca, lead pencil yet remaining fresh, pure and vibrant. An outstanding offering for those that love classic Bordeaux at its best. Cellar for 5 years plus.
-
Chateau Lagrave Paran Rouge 2007
08/08/08
NZD $24.95 NZD $22.95
This Chateau has become our best selling red over the last few years. After exhausting the 2004, 2005 and the 2006 we have just landed the 2007 vintage that even though it is not as hyped as the 2005 but still a very good one. Made from a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the wine is intensely perfumed, expressive and dense, medium bodied with ripe soft tannins, perfect balance, racy acidity, focused and clean. A little on the young side now but very approachable and will also cellar for up to 5 years.
