-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
Ata Rangi Petrie Chardonnay 2008
NZD $34.95 NZD $31.95
Ata Rangi is one of the forefront vineyards in this country producing consistently good wine. This is their second Chardonnay which always offers good value for money. The 2006 is the brand new release and displays a green golden colour with a bouquet of brioche, marmalade and hints of oak. On the palate it is well balanced with a slight mineral tone, depth and ripe melon flavours. Even though it is a little bit on the young side now, it will cellar for another 2-3 years.
-
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2010
NZD $84.95 NZD $62.95
Ata Rangi over the years has consistently made top flight New Zealand wines across the board but perhaps it has been their Pinot Noir which has elevated them to the level they are at now.Sleek with ultra supple tannins that supports vivid and slightly rustic red fruits, very young and still very fresh with stone and black cherry notes. The palate is well structured supported by excellent acidity with hints of dark chocolate and rose petal. This is obviously very young but as always, Ata Rangi is able to age for a number of years, as it does a lot of the present fresh fruits will turn savoury and much better integrated. Cellar for 4-6 years.
-
Ma Maison Pinot Noir 2009
NZD $47.95 NZD $43.95
There has been a lot of talk of terroir in New Zealand in the last few years and of course one thing is talk and the other thing is action. This is one of the closest wines that we came across with a true expression of its terroir. The wine has been neither filtered or fined with an aroma of violets, black cherry and ripe plum. Lovely middle palate which is quite warm and savoury but yet with an abundance of fruit. What we really like about this is its balance, complexity and the vibrant fresh middle palate. A little on the young side however it will cellar very well for the next 4-5 years.
-
Ma Maison Chardonnay 2008
NZD $52.95 NZD $46.95
Out of Stock
This is one of the up and coming stars in Martinborough that has been able to capture the essence of true Chardonnay. For lovers of white Burgundy, in particular Mersault, you will find it very familiar. Made from a small holding of mainly Mendoza clone Chardonnay with an abundant aroma of white peach, melon and nectarine and left on its lees for an extended period of time but not stirred which gives it a bottle fermented Champagne character. Full malolactic is given to the wine with no fining or filtration resulting in a creamy, soft and well balanced texture with lovely acidity, focus and accuracy. Frankly one of the very best Chardonnay’s that we’ve come across in the last few years. Will also cellar for another 3-5 years.
-
Kairos Fait Main Pinot Noir 2009
NZD $44.95 NZD $39.95
Just like the rest of the Kairos range it is made from low-yielding and mature vines, natural yeasts and traditional wine making. Excellent concentration, soft and velvety tannins with perfect balance and structure, on the nose it offers an array of cherry, spring flowers and violets, you may confuse it with a young Gevrey-Chambertin but it is still very New Zealand with great up front fruit and typical varietal characteristics. What we really like about this wine is that it has complexity and staying power and it offers a harmonious, well balanced and textural Pinot Noir that is so often lacking in most NZ Pinot Noir. Excellent now but it will also cellar for 4-5 years.
