Wine and Spirit

Everything about wines and spirits from all over the world

Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Zealand. Show all posts

Waimea Barrel Selection Pinot Noir 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 9.10.10 0 comments


Classic Pinot Noir aromas of dark berries and plums prominent, in this wine created from the best of Waimea's 2007 barrels.
A floral note of carnations adds interest and prettiness to the wine.
It has a fruit driven palate steadied by a supple structure of fruit and oak tannins.
After careful cellaring expect the fruit-driven aromas to give way to earthier, savoury notes.
A bit strange for me: a pretty good Pinot Noir from the Nelson area! (which is not famous for its reds...)
Try with rack of lamb or even better match with garlic butter grilled Portobello mushrooms.
For NZ$ 28.

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Fiddler's Green Waipara Classic Riesling 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 3.10.10 0 comments



Beautiful water-white colour with pure elderflower aromas, this riesling has focus, purity and an intense clean long finish.

Just perfect with fish and chip at the beach.
For NZ$ 25.

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Burnt Spur Pinot Gris 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 14.9.10 0 comments



Lifted notes of pear, melon and floral spice combine with stonefruit nuances.
The smooth palate shows intensity, breadth and has quite-a-long finish.
Mid (or even low) acidity, due to this it has a great balance with a hint of sweetness.
The focus of this wine is a smooth ripe phenolic character that provides the backbone of the wine.
For NZ$ 18.

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Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Rosé 2009

Posted by cfoldi On 11.9.10 0 comments


The nose has fragrant aromas of raspberry and strawberry fruit, with cherry and boysenberry notes.
The palate shows more raspberry and cherry flavours with a rich concentrated palate, balanced with fresh and natural acidity.
Considering the price you pay for rosé Sancerre to enjoy the lovely earthy and fruity combination of flavours you get from Pinot Noir, this kiwi interpretation is a bargain.
A brilliant match with poached salmon.
For NZ$ 28.

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Vidal Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 24.8.10 0 comments



This outstanding Merlot-driven red showcases how well the variety performs in Hawke's Bay.
Given added structure by smaller amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec, its nose offers an exquisite combination of dark ripe fruits, dried herbs, fruitcake and beefsteak.
Seamless in the mouth, it shows effortless poise across the succulent palate, finishing with beautifully balanced fine tannins.
A wine to serve with sophisticated beef dish, perhaps a fillet with a rich sauce chasseur.
Can be cellared for couple of years.
NZ$ 20.

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William Hill Chardonnay 2006

Posted by cfoldi On 22.8.10 0 comments



The William Hill Winery has been at the forefront of promoting the exceptional wine attributes of Central Otago since 1973.
This ripely scented wine has melon and pineapple fruit flavours entwined with vibrant oak in a tightly structured palate with good balance and quite-a-long intensity.
At its best age, don't cellar it if not necessary.
For NZ$ 28.

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Greystone Pinot Noir 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 21.8.10 0 comments


This wine comes from the Waipara region of New Zealand.
A complex array of sweet berry fruit with hints of cloves and spice on the nose.
The palate has a luscious full-bodied entry with smooth integrated tannins which give way to a lingering finish of fresh juicy acidity.
Flavours of wild blackberry and ripe raspberries combined with an earthiness and mild spice.
A symbiotic match for local lean lamb, this wine is showing beautifully now but will continue to reveal new layers over the next three-five years.
For NZ$ 35.

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Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 26.7.10 0 comments



Year in, year out, the Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc is one of Marlborough's most consistent offerings.
The 2008 is a blend of fruit from several vineyards, fermented and selected yeast strains to optimise aromas and fruit integrity.
This pale green-gold wine displayes forward aromas of green pepper, passionfruit, gooseberry and lime.
It has a well weighted, fruit-packed palate and a fresh, lively finish.
At it's best age.
Brilliant match with fish and all sea creatures.
One of the best 'Savs' I've tried so far.
For NZ$ 25.

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Gibbston Valley Pinot Noir 2005

Posted by cfoldi On 11.7.10 0 comments


Dark just-transparent deep rose red.
Classic Central Otago nose of cherries and rich violets.
Very intense nose that reflects the extremely low yield that year (30% of normal).
Has the fruitier, clay-based Bendingo grapes in the mix as well as the lighter more minerally schist-based Gibbston Valley fruit.
Palate is still a bit tannic and with very concentrated black cherry and some raspberries, dry boxwood on the back end.
I would recommend to cellar it for a while, but it is already a five year-old one...
For NZ$ 39.

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Trinity Hill The Trinity 2002

Posted by cfoldi On 6.7.10 0 comments


50% Merlot, 35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Cabernet Franc, 5% Syrah, each from various vineyards in the Gimblett Gravels and the Heretaunga Plains of Hawkes Bay.
From the Syrah: blackberry and black pepper nuances, from the Merlot: leather and plum aromas, from the the Cabernet Franc: the aromatic spice and red currant character, and the cassis from Cabernet Sauvignon.

The blending of the fruit characters from these four varieties and the spine of the Cabernet Sauvignon has combined to produce a complex, fruit dominant wine.
The sensitive oak aging has added a further dimension to the wine without being obvious.
Richness and soft, ripe tannins make this wine a serious yet eminently drinkable wine.
Ready to drink for NZ$ 19.

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Kennedy Point Merlot 2006

Posted by cfoldi On 30.6.10 0 comments


The famous Kennedy Point wines from Waiheke Island...

All of them I tasted were brilliant, superb, magnificent.

This one is a Merlot from 2006.
Very elegant claret-style red - rich, spicy and savoury, with bottle-aged complexity.
Lovely.
For NZ$ 39.

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Craggy Range Sophia 2007

Posted by cfoldi On 27.6.10 0 comments


Sophia is predominantly Merlot-based (81%), but to be honest, that's a bit like saying that a Ferrari tends to be red.
This has spent 18 months in oak, the incredibly intense fruit so qualified to handle the seasoned stay that everything - the fruit, spice and wild herb notes, the fine tannins, immense structure - are barely twitching their muscles.

Brilliant, vibrating red for NZ$ 68.
Can be cellared for up to 5-6 years from now.

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Tarras The Canyon Pinot Noir 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 8.3.10 0 comments



Beautifully focused, aromatic nose with nice depth to the meaty dark cherry and berry fruit.
The palate shows lovely structure and elegance, with dense but expressive cherry and berry fruits.
Superb wine with a very long aftertaste.
NZ$ 48.

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Kumeu River Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay 2006

Posted by cfoldi On 2.3.10 0 comments


I am so lucky that I could tell Michael Brajkovich (the winemaker of Kumeu River) was one of my teachers at the WSET diploma course.

He has been making brilliant wines.

The one we are facing now was in the best 100 wines worldwide in 2009.
Only two more wines got into it from New Zealand.
And don't forget: it's a chardonnay (not a Sauvignon Blanc or a Pinot Noir NZ is famous for)!

Mate's Vineyard Chardonnay, likened by Brajkovich to 'a premier cru of the same village', shows a stronger new-oak influence and is more powerful, concentrated and opulent.

Earthier on the nose with hazelnut and butterscotch developing with time.
Perfect acidity and harmonious, cohesive finish inflected with apricot and white peach.
Very refined, this would surely challenge the superiority of most white Burgundy wines.

This wine will improve with bottle age up to even 8-10 years.
The best white wine I've ever tasted.
NZ$ 42.

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Seifried Sweet Agnes Riesling Ice Wine 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 25.2.10 0 comments


Sweet Agnes Riesling 2008 from Seifried is made using 100% Riesling grapes frozen at the height of ripeness and pressed to create the intense sweet flavour associated with dessert wine.
It is 10% abv with the potential of 15% if fermented further.

A deep golden colour wine.
Very elegant, almost aristocratic.
It's flavours are so close to the Hungarian Tokaji Aszúeszencia's - which is a really rare speciality.
This wine has plenty of sweet and lovely flavours from citrus to honey, from sweet orange to herbs.

After a delicious dinner or just by having a great conversation with someone I can advise this dessert wine.
NZ$ 18 (375ml).

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Longview Estate Chardonnay 2007

Posted by cfoldi On 0 comments



I was in Whangarei (a small town up north from Auckland) two months ago.
On the way back I caught sight a small vineyard.
The following wine is from there.

The name Longview Wine Estate reflects the commanding view that the elevated clay slopes give over Whangarei Harbour.

This wine has a yellow/deep straw colour.
On the nose you can find sweet pear, melon, peach flavours, even some pineapple.
On the palate full of vibrant tastes.
Melon and peach. Hint of spices at the back.
Just like springtime. Everything is moving, full of life.
You could even hear the birds singing...

This wine was matured in French and Hungarian oak barriques.
Brilliant.
Can be cellared for up to 5 years.

NZ$ 25.

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Tohu Pinot Noir 2007

Posted by cfoldi On 21.2.10 0 comments


Tohu's 2007 Pinot Noir has been listed in Wine Spectator's Top 100 Wines for 2009.

Earlier in '09 the Tohu Pinot Noir received an outstanding 91 points.
There were only 2 other New Zealand wines that made the Top 100 - making Tohu's archievement a terrific accomplishment and a brilliant start to 2010.

Round, mouth filling flavours of plum and black cherry, pleasing weight and a long, elegant finish.
Oak integrates nicely with the fruit, and helps with the silky tannin structure.
The surprising dark fruit notes balance nicely with the soft tannins.
A good earthy quality has added to the structure.

For a superb price of NZ$ 30.

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Shingle Peak Chardonnay 2005

Posted by cfoldi On 4.2.10 0 comments


Vibrant straw in colour, the nose is fresh with lime juice cordial, white peach and hints of subtle creamy French oak.

The palate is crisp and fresh, lime and a bit honey dew melon linger, intertwined with well integrated oak and defined acidity that gives structure and length.

NZ$ 20.

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Matua Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 0 comments


Light green in colour, citrus and lemon fruits dominate the nose.

The palate is generous and full with typical Sauvignon Blanc acidity.
Ready to drink -don't waste your time by cellaring it.
Fits well with salads and sea foods (especially when using lemon pepper).

For NZ$ 15.


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Montana Pinot Gris 2008

Posted by cfoldi On 25.1.10 0 comments



I can't say that I'm in love with Pinot Gris'.
There is something strange for me in the palate -maybe because of its sweetness.
Otherwise this one fits well with sweet-spiced chicken or white sauce pasta (like carbonara).

Let the winemaker talk instead of me.
"Lower than average yields combined with a very warm growing season, produced some fantastic wines from the 2008 vintage. The Montana Reserve Hawke's Bay Pinot Gris is testament to this with expressive varietal character, intensity and balance."

For NZ$ 18.

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