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Old Vine Chardonnay 2010
NZD $13.95 NZD $12.95
This is one of those super deals that do not come round that often but when they do, you should take it! Selected from old vines, this Chardonnay delivers an array of butterscotch, freshly baked bread but yet maintaining a lovely freshness and fruit flavours. Frankly you would expect to pay close to the $20 mark for a Chardonnay of this quality. It is ideal with white meats or fish, drinking very well now but will also keep for a year or two. Excellent value at $12.95.
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St. Nesbit 2007
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.
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Kumeu River Chardonnay 2009
NZD $43.95 NZD $34.95
When it comes to outstanding Chardonnay from New Zealand, Kumeu River is an obvious choice. It has been very much a family affair for the last half a century or so. Made by Michael Brajkovich (M.W.) in charge of Oenology and wine making and Chardonnay being his hallmark. Kumeu River Chardonnays as a whole, represent the most consistent and respected in the country, rated internationally by respected wine publications and wine writers. The 2009 vintage was perhaps one of the best in recent years enjoying ideal conditions from budburst to harvest. It represents a tight, well concentrated offering than previous years and shows hints of peach and typical mealiness which we have grown to love about this great wine. It is undoubtedly the closest you will get to a white Burgundy from New Zealand. The actual wines are also made in the tradition of white Burgundy's which are always wines made in the vineyard expressing their terroir. Drink now or over the next 2-4 years.
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Kumeu River Matés Vineyard Chardonnay 2008
NZD $54.95 NZD $49.95
Maté's vineyard sits just across the road from the winery, an outstanding enclave reminiscent of a "Clos". This is Maté's vineyard. Setting it apart from the normal or estate Kumeu River, Maté's shows a bolder and individualistic character and it also takes a bit longer to mature. Hand harvested and whole bunch pressed then 11 month barrel aging lead this to be an outstanding release. The Maté's vineyard always offers more concentration, better length and richness than the straight Kumeu River Chardonnay. This is reflected very well in this vintage that has generous fruit flavours, good organic and fruit acidity, depth and hints of minerality. This is as close to a Meursault as you are going to get. Cellar for 4-6 years.
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Alan McCorkindale Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009
NZD $42.95 NZD $37.95
Out of the many, many Pinot Noirs that we have tried from this region, this has to be one of the best. Again he imposes his own style of making true terroir driven Pinot Noir. This is not just your sweet, oaky, cherry cocktail. It is full bodied, with aromas of ripe cherry, thyme and wild flowers with great acidity, ample middle palate and displaying savoury notes, truffle and lavender. On the young side at the moment but will improve for the next 3-5 years.
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French Bay Pinot Noir 2010
NZD $21.95 NZD $19.95
We've been eagerly waiting for this and it is finally arriving, we've tried it 3-4 times against other Central Otago Pinot Noirs all at $30-$40 plus and it is just up there. At last we are starting to see some value from this ever promising and in some cases exciting area. It is Pinot Noir as it should be, soft, velvety and textural with forrest floor, maraschino cherry and a good dose of spring flowers. Superb ripe tannins, very good acidity and a delicious burst of freshness and fruit... We think you'll love it! And let’s not forget it’s only $19.95 per bottle in case lots. Shock your friends and tell them it is $40.
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Earths End Pinot Noir 2008
NZD $29.95 NZD $27.95
Made by Mount Edward, this is pretty much their 2nd tier Pinot Noir, and one of the most consistent that we have found under $30. It is made in a soft and fruity style ready to drink relatively young and fresh, yet still displays beautiful soft tannins with aromas of thyme, cherry and forrest fruits, very well defined with well integrated oak. Starting to drink very well now but will also keep for another 2-3 years, you might want to compare this alongside other Central Otago Pinot Noir at $40-$50 and you’ll see that it delivers.
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Mount Edward Riesling 2007
NZD $28.95 NZD $26.95
In the last 10-15 years, Central Otago has surged ahead in the production of outstanding Pinot Noir, lately they have also extended their search towards Riesling. Mt. Edward is perhaps the best exponent of both in this area and their Riesling (whenever it is available) is a true revelation of what can be done with this variety. The 2007 vintage has been one of the best for awhile, having tried it a few months ago it was already showing a lovely floral perfume, great texture and perfect acidity, made in an off-dry style and not overly alcoholic it is outstanding in its youth but will also cellar for another 3-4 years. Without doubt one of the best Rieslings in the country.
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Te Mata Coleraine 2009
NZD $83.95 NZD $68.95
Out of Stock
This is perhaps one of the greatest vintages ever made so far, the thing about Te Mata is that they are able to raise the bar particularly in good vintages which is not always the case with many other wineries, the following review is what Robert Parker had to say about it:
"The 2009 Coleraine is a blend of 52% Cabernet Sauvignon, 43% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc, the 2009 Coleraine takes time to unfurl with nascent aromas of blackberry, dark chocolate, a touch of sloe and liquorice. The palate is medium-bodied with firm, quite austere tannins. It is a little brutish at the moment but the finesse is there on the long, languid finish. The 2009 is a masculine Coleraine with great intensity and promise for the future." – 93-95/100 Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate
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Kemp Road Cabernet Merlot Syrah 2002
NZD $49.95 NZD $44.95
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Te Mata Zara Viognier 2010
NZD $34.95 NZD $24.95
From 30 March to 4 April 2010, fully ripe viognier grapes were hand harvested in several passes across the sloping middle terrace of the vineyard. They were lightly crushed, cooled for skin contact, pressed, then the juice was cold settled. The majority underwent barrel fermentation in seasoned French oak, and was then aged on lees with regular stirring. The balance was tank fermented at cool temperatures. The separate lots were blended in February 2011, then returned to barrel for a further three months’ maturation. The finished wine was fined and bottled in July 2011.
Zara ’10 has a light gold colour, with concentrated aromas of white peach, mandarin and jasmine. The soft, dry palate opens into complex flavours of apricot, honeycomb and sea-salt with a fine, long finish.
Zara ’10 will continue to develop in bottle for three to four years from harvest, integrating further and gaining an even more luscious character. It can be enjoyed on its own, or with rich seafoods and white meat dishes, as well as lightly spiced Asian foods.
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Te Mata Coleraine 2010
NZD $83.95 NZD $64.95
Coleraine ’10 was hand harvested between 15 April and 6 May 2010 from separate plots within Te Mata Estate’s vineyards. Each parcel of grapes was destemmed before a traditional warm, plunged fermentation and extended maceration on skins. The resulting wines were then run to predominantly new French oak barrels for 19 months’ maturation. Throughout this time, they were regularly topped and racked. The separate wines were blended in January 2011, then egg white fined during their second winter in barrel. The finished wine was then bottled in December 2011.
Coleraine ’10 has a youthful, dark crimson colour and displays Coleraine’s gorgeous floral aromas, together with macerated blackberries woven with graphite and thyme. The palate is pure and very precise, building in intensity, with a long, fine tannin structure providing great length.
A blend of 58% cabernet sauvignon, 36% merlot, and 6% cabernet franc, it will continue to develop in bottle and provide great enjoyment up to 15 years from harvest.
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Pyramid Valley 'Eaton Family Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2007
NZD $77.95 NZD $69.95
Pyramid Valley have very quickly carved an enviable reputation both nationally and internationally, their wines are mostly single vineyard. The vineyards themselves are hilly, densely planted with unique soil compositions including clay-limestone, in essence perfect terroir to grow world class Pinot Noir.
We have added below the review from Stephen Tanzer in the International Wine Cellar:
"Good full red. Sappy aromas of red cherry, strawberry, blood orange, graphite and spices. Densely packed and sweet, with an urgent, sappy quality to the lush red fruit and licorice flavors. A fairly full and pliant style with excellent stuffing. Finishes with suave tannins and excellent length." 91 points
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French Bay Chardonnay 2007
NZD $18.95 NZD $17.95
Our latest addition from the grand master, Alan McCorkindale, made from fruit drawn from Marlborough he has again captured the essence of superb Chardonnay. This is a medium body wine with hints of butterscotch, ripe melon and given extensive lees contact yet still maintaining its freshness, vibrant acidity and superb balance, the oak has been carefully handle, it does not overtake or dominate the wine it just enhances it. Drink it now, excellent with white meats.
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Old Vine Sauvignon Blanc 2010
NZD $13.95 NZD $12.95
Another exceptional offering for this very much underrated producer, it came to us by accident trying some top New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc and this just happened to come out on top. Fruity, flinty and aromatic, a barrage of gooseberry and lychee but dry with a lengthy middle palate, succulence and balance, what really good old fashioned Sauvignon Blanc used to be and the main thing really, all for $12.95. An absolute bargain!
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Discovery Point Sauvignon Blanc 2010
NZD $22.95 NZD $19.95
A very welcome departure from the grassy, over-the-top and tutti fruity Sauvignon Blanc that pretty much describes most of the commercial examples widely available. Discovery Point is pretty much aligned with the great Sauvignon Blanc of the Loire Valley in France i.e. Pouilly Fume and Sancerre. This is a Sauvignon Blanc which is low cropped, no fining and given extra lees contact, the result is elegance, beautiful texture, dry with concentration and depth, in essence what great Sauvignon Blanc should be. This is no show pony with 8/9 grams residual sugar that hopes to impress and hopefully get some sort of a medal in some Mickey Mouse wine show. Drinking at its best now, have it with shellfish.
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James Pinot Noir 2006
NZD $44.95 NZD $42.95
Named as a tribute to his son James, Colin Carruthers Q.C. has shown a keen interest not only in the consumption of wine but also in making it. As far back as the mid 90's, he purchased an 11.3 hectare block in the then unproven and unknown area of Te Muna Rd in Martinborough. Since then leading winemakers in the area have followed suit and the area has become extremely well recognised and established. We came across this Pinot via one of our customers who had tried it and was impressed by it. We have tasted it and retasted it against some top flight New Zealand Pinot Noir and in its price bracket it offers unbeatable value for money. It is very well constructed with clean, racy acidity, structure and round middle palate yet displaying some very upfront fruits of dry cherry, wild strawberry and fungi. Drinking extremely well now but will also develop for another 2-3 years.
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Ata Rangi Craighall Chardonnay 2009
NZD $56.95 NZD $46.95
The 2009 vintage is a classic one for the Chardonnay. It has allowed its true flavours to come to the very forefront. Good acidity with hints of peach, pear and almost nutty, not overly done on the oak. As New Zealand Chardonnay goes, the Ata Rangi Craighall falls as one of the top ones in the country. It is also a Chardonnay which is able to age well and offers depth, clean fruit, focus and yet remaining fresh. Cellar for 2-3 years.
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Ata Rangi Celebre 2007
NZD $43.95 NZD $39.95
Célèbre has always played second fiddle to the Pinot Noir from this vineyard but frankly its unusual blend of grape varieties, make it one of the most interesting and provocative wines in the country. Made from Merlot, Syrah and Cabernet Sauvignon which is the minority blend, the wine offers a good spicy backbone with hints of pepper, black olive and savoury notes. The wine even after spending 18 months in oak, is not overly oaked, sweet or jammy but clean and quite focused with good spine and texture. Drink now or cellar for the next couple of years.
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Ata Rangi Sauvignon Blanc 2010
NZD $31.95 NZD $29.95
As with all the wines from this vineyard, the Sauvignon Blanc is no exception. It has basically all the trademarks of a top wine with exuberant fruit, melon and green capsicum and a good dose of passionfruit, yet remains racy and crisp with very good palate weight and length. A small percentage of the wine has been given barrel aging and lees contact which is reflected on its tight structure and fat middle palate. Drink now or cellar for another 2-3 years.
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Neudorf Moutere Riesling 2007
NZD $41.95
Layers of sweet citrus curled around a taut, sinewy centre of minerality.
A wonderfully satisfying wine to enjoy on release, or to cellar for years and years. We always bang on about cellaring Riesling - this is because it offers so much satisfaction as a mature wine. Right now you can glimpse the future - the fruit is full and rich, balanced with some finely textured phenols and a supporting thread of mineral acid, which banish any possibility of cloying sweetness. In fact the wine can taste remarkably dry with an attractive perfumed earthy talc quality.
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Neudorf Pinot Noir "Toms Block" 2007
NZD $42.95
Enticing pinot colour, clarity and hue. Deep complex earthy nose with a lick of leather around wild berry, forest floor notes. Search for touches of liquorice, coffee, cream, cherries and plums. With a broad palate the wine sweeps around the mouth leaving a long lingering after taste.
This is a serious, sumptuous wine with a slinky component and linen textured phenolics. Oak handling is subtle and tannins are fine and rich and spread through the wine. Tom's Block can be enjoyed at all levels it is a generous Pinot to share over grilled lamb rack and garlicky potatoes or as a more intense experience with Confit of duck or a braise of rabbit.
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Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir 2009
NZD $79.95
Youthful, purple hue in the glass with a complex nose of cracked pepper, dark summer berries, black cherry and chocolate, combined with visceral, earthy characters, dried wild herbs and excellent but unobtrusive supporting oak.
Palate: Initial savoury / black fruit entry carries through a mouth filling, richly structured palate, the texture of soft leather. An underlying mineral acidity supports this richness, adding a certain juiciness and considerable length. Overall a wine of complexity and finesse.
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Neudorf Moutere Chardonnay 2010
NZD $79.95
One of the pioneers in the Nelson region, Tim Finn has been making top flight wines for over 20 years. Their Moutere Chardonnay is pretty much their top tier Chardonnay, elegant with concentration and depth, natural ferments, overall a very classy Chardonnay that is also able to develop for a number of years. 2010 is still very young obviously however if you are looking for a New Zealand Chardonnay, this is among the very best. Drink now or over the next 3-4 years.
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Alan McCorkindale Rose Brut 2002
NZD $53.95 NZD $49.95
Out of Stock
His flagship label from a single vineyard that expresses the essence of superb Method Sparkling. A blend of 95% Pinot Noir and 5% Meunier and aged for 4 years of yeast lees. This is just sensational, lots of fruit, strawberries, marzipan, nutmeg, wild berries with lots of concentration, excellent middle palate and terrific bubbles. If your budget doesn’t allow for a top Rose Champagne, this is a great substitute.
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Alan McCorkindale "Teviotdale" Pinot Noir 2009
NZD $42.95 NZD $39.95
An outstanding example of what Waipara can do with Pinot Noir. Exclusively sourced from Alan McCorkindale’s own vineyards which are low cropped, non irrigated, close planted and the results are obvious, ripe, not green like many others but lovely racy acidity, savoury rather than fruity, oaky and clumsy, concentrated with lovely middle palate. This is a Pinot Noir that you drink now but you may also keep for another 3-4 years. At the price of $39.95 it makes many others at double the price just very expensive!
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Alan McCorkindale Viognier 2007
NZD $48.95 NZD $37.95
It is not often that we see Viognier of this outstanding quality from New Zealand. Having tried it alongside some excellent Condrieu, it delivers. It has got beautiful minerality, vibrancy and freshness and beautifully perfumed. A little on the young side at the moment but within a year it will fully integrate and will become richer and a more complete wine. What we like most about this particular Viognier is that it’s dry, it has great texture, excellent balance and is full bodied. For those wanting to try one of the very best Viognier in the country, this is it!
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Pegasus Bay Dry Riesling 2007
NZD $38.95 NZD $36.95
Out of Stock
Pegasus Bay Riesling WebOne of the originals from Waipara that over the years have become one of the most reputable and established vineyards in the country, they produce various wines but we believe that Riesling is their trademark and for the first time they have released a completely dry version styled on the German version of dry Rieslings which are generally speaking more full bodied, weightier and have greater minerality, the emphasis really is on clean terroir driven fruit with airy, fresh and focused expressions. This has to be without doubt among the top 3 best Rieslings in the country. Drink now or cellar for the next 5 years.
