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Alan McCorkindale Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008
NZD $42.95 NZD $38.95
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 mariscino cherry, thyme and wild flowers with great acidity, ample middle palate and displaying savoury notes, truffle and lavender. As we said, one of the very best from that region. Drinking now or over the next 4-5 years.
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French Bay Pinot Noir 2008
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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Kawarau Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2007
NZD $29.95 NZD $26.95
Organic farming of the vineyard together with low yields and careful handling of oak have made the real impact on this Chardonnay, it is powerful, rich, quite yeasty yet the essence is in harmony, balance and structure yet maintaining excellent mouth appeal, freshness and focus. We are enchanted with these sorts of Chardonnays and at the price frankly one of the best in the country. The age of the vines are starting to influence the whole aspect of the wine and introducing hints of minerality, purity and excellent balance. Drink now or cellar for 3 years plus.
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Kawarau Estate Pinot Noir 2008
NZD $33.95
Aged for 10 months in French oak barrels, this wine is generally harvested from the younger vines and displays cherries, blackcurrant and raspberry aromatics and flavours. With gentle tannins, this is a refined and elegant wine which with time will soften and develop those subtle characters which are very typically found in this sub region of Central Otago. It is a wine that however is drinking very well now exhibiting dry herbs, good savoury notes and well balanced acidity.
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Kawarau Estate Pinot Gris 2007
NZD $28.95
It is refreshing to find a vineyard that really understands what Pinot Gris should be like, this is dry, crisp and flinty not sugary, over alcoholic and flabby, wild fermentation and extended time on its lees have added to the complexity and structure of the wine. This Pinot Gris is an elegantly textured wine displaying orange blossom, pear and lime aromatics complemented by sweet pears and white pepper on the palate with a lasting and appealing mineral finish. Fantastic!
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Carrick Sauvignon Blanc 2008
NZD $24.95 NZD $23.95
On the nose, this wonderful Sauvignon Blanc shows hints of gooseberries along with yellow and green peppers. On the palate it displays paw paw flavours which mix with the gooseberry taste to give you something more herbaceous. It has a medium body with good length and a clean, crisp finish.
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Mount Edward Pinot Noir 2008
NZD $54.95 NZD $46.95
The latest release from Mt. Edward that from humble beginnings has become one of the benchmark producers in Central Otago. The 2008 together with 2003 and 2007 are perhaps the best vintages since its insertion in 1997, founded by Alan Brady one of the pioneers in the area, the wine has been improving year on year which is not always the case for many other vineyards. This is one for the cellar, lots of ripe cherries, thyme and ripe berry fruits, but it is not all about just fruit, what I like about this wine is the lovely soft and velvety tannins that you come to expect from Pinot noir, ample middle palate with focus and balance. Medium body and expressive, no doubt one of the top not just from Otago but in the country. Cellar for another 3-4 years.
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Carrick Pinot Noir 2006
NZD $55.95 NZD $52.95
Located in the beautiful and bountiful area of Bannockburn in Central Otago, Carrick winery is quietly achieving results that are having critics sit up and take notice.The vineyard is named after the Carrick mountain range that overlooks the winery.The vineyards are all located in Bannockburn, on the Cairnmuir Terraces. Like many other Central Otago wineries their is also significant plantings of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and the aromatic varieties of Pinot Gris and Riesling.
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Carrick Chardonnay 2006
NZD $29.95 NZD $28.95
The Carrick winery is named after the mountain range that overlooks the vineyard and estate in New Zealand's hottest wine growing region Central Otago. The vineyards are all located in Bannockburn, on the Cairnmuir Terraces which are a mixture of gravels and alluvial sediments. The vines in Cairnmuir were planted in 1994 and extended in 1998 with the Central Otago staples of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay as well as Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris.
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Kawarau Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2008
NZD $28.95 NZD $24.95
This is not your usual Marlborough grassy and zingy Sauvignon Blanc. For the sake of comparison it would be almost a blend of a Sancerre with a white Graves from Bordeaux. Displays citrus and tropical fruits with flinty aromas yet it is full bodied with great texture and complexity, flinty and a little smoky. An excellent Sauvignon Blanc that will even age for 2-3 years but of course superb now with fish, shell fish or white meats.
