Accent on Wine

Cinco Sentidos Torrontes 2008

Cinco Sentidos Torrontes 2008 — Thu, 11 Mar 10 11:26:12 +1300

A lot of you will be new to this grape variety from Argentina. It has been cultivated for many years to produce in the old days what was to be sold as bulk wine, however over the last 15 years has had a complete renaissance and is just ideal for summer to drink on its own but especially with fish, shell fish and white meats. Lemon yellow in colour with an expressive aroma of citric fruits, limes and flowers, the palate is thoroughly impressive, slightly minerally, clean with lovely focus and concentration, beautiful long finish that remains vibrant and fresh. Drink now or over the next 2-3 years.

French Bay Pinot Gris 2009

French Bay Pinot Gris 2009 — Thu, 11 Mar 10 11:26:24 +1300

Our latest addition to the French Bay family! Pinot Gris, again made by Alan McCorkindale, who really knows aromatics very well, a complete varietal expression of Pinot Gris that is concentrated, succulent, rich and very aromatic especially of pear, fig and ripe melon. This is superb with fish and white meats but also excellent as an aperitif. A wine that suits the summer weather and considering its quality it delivers well above its price level. Drink now or over the next couple of years.

Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2008

Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2008 — Thu, 11 Mar 10 11:26:02 +1300

A legendary NZ chardonnay made from low cropped vines that undergoes a complete barrel and malo-lactic fermentation. It is a richly fruited and textured wine showing ripe stonefruit, pineapple and citrus flavours with a seamless long finish. Elston continues to improve in bottle for 3-5 years from harvest.

Te Mata Awatea 2008

Te Mata Awatea 2008 — Thu, 11 Mar 10 11:26:02 +1300

A wine that exhibits the best qualities of great Hawke’s Bay cabernets/merlot - intense aromatic berry fruit characters, a rich mid-palate and a supple tannin structure. Awatea is a full flavoured wine that can be enjoyed over 8-10 years.

Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2007

Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage Rouge 2007 — Thu, 04 Mar 10 16:55:17 +1300

As is always the case this frankly represents the best expressions of Syrah that can be found anywhere in the world. The wine is made from 100% Syrah from very low yielding vines averaging 30 years old. The viticulture is quite rustic and artisan therefore allowing the wine to express its true terroir characteristics. On appearance it has a very deep almost black with hints of ruby colour with an array of dry herbs, black olive and roasted red pepper. On the palate it is incredibly big and juicy almost chunky with notes of tarragon and tapinade. The finish is persistent and long, emphasizing cracked black pepper corns with hints of leather yet remaining clean with great purity. Drinking at its best between 2014-2020.

Alain Graillot St Joseph 2007

Alain Graillot St Joseph 2007 — Thu, 04 Mar 10 16:55:17 +1300

This is another of his great offerings that even though quite different in style to the Crozes Hermitage, it delivers incomparable value for money. Made from Syrah and sometimes a little Viognier added for colour and aroma, the wine is expressive, full bodied, dense and enormously concentrated. The 2007 vintage is a great example of what St. Joseph can achieve in excellent vintages, at present it shows good tannins, firm and savoury with a bold style. It will develop for 5 years plus.

Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage Blanc 2007

Alain Graillot Crozes Hermitage Blanc 2007 — Thu, 04 Mar 10 16:55:17 +1300

This is the white version of the red made from Roussane and Marsanne which in days gone by, would have been used to blend into the reds. Nowadays the quality and the exquisite flavours of these wines are sought after around the world for their uniqueness. It has great minerality with a total absence of oak, fresh and crisp with nuances of nutmeg, pine nuts and green capsicum. On its youth it can be outstandingly refreshing but also has the capability of aging for 4-5 years. It's a superb wine to accompany fish cakes, Fish casseroles etc. Will also cellar for up to 5 years.

Domaine Dujac Morey Saint-Denis 1er Cru 2002

Domaine Dujac Morey Saint-Denis 1er Cru 2002 — Wed, 24 Feb 10 15:51:55 +1300

One of the great maestros in Burgundy, Pinot Noir winemakers across the world dream of producing wines like this Domaine. His methodical and total dedication to quality always shows in his wines. An outstanding vintage that is just starting to shine, beautiful balance and harmony, sophisticated yet firm tannins that caress the mouth, lovely texture and weight, subtle use of oak, purity and focus. Something to savour with the right food, simply put, a majestic expression of Pinot noir in its purest form.

Simon Bize Savigny-Les-Beaune "Les Fournaux" 1er Cru 2002

Simon Bize Savigny-Les-Beaune "Les Fournaux" 1er Cru 2002 — Wed, 24 Feb 10 15:51:55 +1300

Some of you will know this producer as being one of the top 10 in Burgundy and frankly one of the best value for money to be found in all of Burgundy. This is a 1er Cru "Les Fournaux" one of the best sites in Savigny-les-Beaune where Simon Bize has had vineyard holdings for many years. Les Fournaux 1er Cru is quite different to the Aux Vergelesses, it is a lot more feminine, fragrant and fruity but still displaying terrific terroir, minerality and impeccable purity and focus. Cellar for 8-10 years.

Devevey Hautes Cotes De Beaune 2002

Devevey Hautes Cotes De Beaune 2002 — Wed, 24 Feb 10 15:51:55 +1300

This is another of our exclusive imports and after many years of trying this producers wines, they never disappoint, this the white version made entirely from Chardonnay that is drinking at its peak right now. At 8 years of age is showing perfect balance and its true characteristics, excellent texture and freshness with mouth coating fresh cream and hazelnut, still very vibrant and fresh almost oily with focus and depth. For anyone who has not tried and aged white Burgundy, this is your chance to discover how well this wines age and how generous and sophisticated they can be.

Ma Maison Pinot Noir 2008

Ma Maison Pinot Noir 2008 — Wed, 17 Feb 10 17:02:41 +1300

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

Ma Maison Chardonnay 2008 — Wed, 17 Feb 10 17:02:41 +1300

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.

Don Baltazar Chardonnay Viognier 2005

Don Baltazar Chardonnay Viognier 2005 — Wed, 03 Feb 10 12:00:50 +1300

Combining the two varieties in a unique and anthological mix: fresh and fine aromas of exotic fruits of the Chardonnay and those of the Viognier. A lovely dry aromatic and minerally wine which for lovers of Chablis it will go down very well, though it still has very good upfront fruit with depth and minerality and finishing flinty and crisp. It is an excellent complement of white meats, fresh sea products, rices and young cheeses.

M. Chauvet Brut Club 1998

M. Chauvet Brut Club 1998 — Mon, 21 Dec 09 13:17:18 +1300

From the same house as the Non Vintage of Marc Chauvet, this is their flagship Champagne from the vintage of 1998, considering the price of a lot of non vintage commercial brands, this is a steal! Fresh, full bodied with beautiful bottle-ferment richness, concentration and depth. As we mentioned, an 11 year old Champagne that is still at its very peak of its life also packaged in a beautiful bottle.

M. Chauvet N.V. Brut

M. Chauvet N.V. Brut — Mon, 21 Dec 09 13:17:18 +1300

Based in the village of Rilly-la-Montagne, this is a growers Champagne in the sense that they make their wines from their very own vineyards. A blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier with approximately 30% blend of older reserve wines, this again is not your usual commercial stuff where 20%-30% of their value goes on marketing and advertising. There is very little of that here, just classical Champagne that equals any major brand for considerably less. Beautiful balance with a lovely bouquet of white flowers and peach, good texture with a clean refreshing finish and just slightly yeasty. Delicious!