Nice wine, low key in its varietal statement but there is pinot gris here in an elegant,
unobtrusive statement. Tastes fairly dry with its acid balance, easy to enjoy with food
and relax with. Good drinking now, no hurry through 2012.
CJ Pask Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2008
Some gravel soil, some not. Nicely fruited, plummy and robust with plenty of time
ahead to complete further developing and a fine texture. Tannins nicely soft and work
well with the fruit. A very nice glass of wine with red meats and spicy courses; not
into 2014.
CJ Pask Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2008
Some older vineyards add finesse to this style, a quality all-purpose chardonnay with
a subtle oak just underlining the fruit and allowing the river-stone and minerals to
show with the chardonnay characters. Nicely produced, good drinking now, through
2012 at least.
Artisan Kauri Ridge Oratia Flora 2009 $22
Very nice drinking, aromatic, lightly sweet and very well textured, something light
as an afternoon wine or by the glass on the bar, with or without food. Will suit
experienced drinkers as a cool, refreshing afternoon wine, while those newer to wine
will find a delightfully inviting style, especially with light food and early courses.
Ready, no hurry.
Artisan Kauri Ridge Oratia Chardonnay 2008 $28
Good texture with some extra body after a little bottle development. A keen, well-
fruited chardonnay with plenty of life and spine to suit a wide range of white meats
including veal and fish. No hurry into 2013.
Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 $48
Three years on, fell of subtlety and good life, flavours are starting to show as
exceptional while the texture is rich and smooth with more to come along those lines.
Nothing heavy and the third of new oak does not rule. A fine wine coming towards a
plateau which should hold for up to five years after that.
Misha’s Vineyard The Gallery Gewurztraminer 2010 $30
Quite a solid style for this winemaker, full flavoured and tasting dry (7 g/p/l) so a
sound food wine. Serious, enjoyable with dinner and in no hurry.
Palliser Estate Methode Traditionnelle 2006
Five years on and this remains impressively fresh, clean, crisp and yet tasty as well.
Clears the palate, starts the relaxing time, a perfect aperitif as a great start to any
occasion; and the romantic moments for two as well. Perfectly handled and managed
to offer something special.
Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Gris 2010 $27
Fairly dry (6g/p/l) a rich and full bouquet reflecting a low crop for this variety.
Sound and thoroughly decent, still unfolding the depth of varietal character waiting in
behind. By Christmas 2011 will be in full flight for the new year. Well suited now as
an aperitif and for early courses.
Rippon Jeunesse Young Vine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 $46
Light and fresh, no bitterness and no overt oak although there is an oak effect. Doing
well as an anytime wine, from some parts of the vineyard planted 12 years . Ready,
no hurry.
Rippon Mature Vine Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009 $62
From 17 to 25 year old vines. A sound, very good wine, traditional perhaps in every
positive sense. The maturity of the vines shows in the depth of flavours; not heavy in
body but ti show elegance and grace in two or three more years.
Two Paddocks Picnic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2008 $30
Two vineyards (Alexandra and Gibbston to which a third has now been added) owned
by actor Sam Neill. Picnic tells its own story, light, fresh and clean, not a lot of fruit
weight or depth but not intended for serious study although this is not sa cheap wine.
Enjoy now into 2013.
Two Paddocks Picnic Riesling 2009 $22
Easy drinking riesling, florally aromatic and not heavy. Lightly sweet, a pleasantly
tasty any-time-of-day wine that is in no hurry from now on.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
Certainly a fine pinot, two years seeming to fit the style although there is plenty of life
left. A blend of Awatere and Wairau, well spined for the fruit and nicely ready for a
red meat or roast dinner.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Merlot – Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Dark coloured and aromatic, a finely tuned blend showing both varieties at this stage,
working well together. Very much best with robust dinner flavours and will drink very well – into 2015.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2010
Full bodied for a white wine, full alcohol and creamy texture establish something
different, as Viognier develops its profile. Label suggests we ‘be adventurous and try
with antipasto, hard cheeses and fusion cooking’. Plenty of time ahead.
Saint Clair Pioneer Black 4 Sawcut Pinot Noir 2009
Champion pinot noir winemaker Matt Thomson at his best again. From a limestone
vineyard in the Ure Valley, past Seddon heading for Christchurch. Young style, quite
classical in its style and will continue to open up through 2011 and 2012 although the
label says 2014 will be long enough to enjoy. A wine full of interest showing some
class.
Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 Sawcut Chardonnay 2009
The same Ure Valley limestone soil as the pinot noir, Sawcut vineyard, a little off
Marlborough’s beaten track. A big wine, tough while young (food helps of course)
and sets a pace that needs bold flavours while young. However, the winemaker
suggests five years from vintage is long enough; I might give it more, but this will be
a fine wine to watch open up and unfold its best from now on.
Volcanic Hills Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Sound, typical young Central Otago pinot noir, nice strawberry and cherries and
able to unfold its complex best from now into 2012. A nice wine, made locally
where ‘volcanic’ as a brand name may not be quite appropriate but the title is
intended to reflect the national topography.
Volcanic Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010
Experience at Delegats by both partners of Volcanic Hills gave them an insight and
some ideas into this variety. They see this as a classic, pear-flavoured style with
its sprinkle of spice. Near dry, a clean, sound wine opening up nicely after its first
birthday.
Volcanic Hills Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011-07-18
Fresh as a three-month-old baby, on the right track but a little steadying to go as the
paleness is replaced with more depth in both colour and body. A nice alternative to
the 2010s and will be good drinking by Christmas.
Volcanic Hills Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2010
‘A few barrels made on the request of our wives’ one partner says. Fermented and
left alone in oak until bottling. It has worked well, better than the casual approach
implies. A very likeable, sensible style to work with dinner and pre-dinner antipasto.
Morton Estate Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Nicely textured for such a young sauvignon with plenty of varietal flavours coming
out nicely as well. The extra body here is satisfying to enjoy now and the style
promises good drinking through 2012 also.
Morton Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Young and fresh as we would expect at four months, but with plenty in behind to
unfold as the year advances. A fresh Marlborough style just getting going.
Seifried Barrique Fermented Nelson Chardonnay 2009
Quite a big wine with generous barrel characters giving some extra weight. A sound,
alive oak-lover’s chardonnay at two years, rounding off in its own good time and
will add complexity to its character list in 2012-2013. For now, enjoy with dinner;
decanting will be worthwhile.
Seifried Nelson Pinot Noir 2010
Tasty wine, medium weight, rounding itself off nicely after 15 months. Youthful but
catching up as the season warms and the flavours are a good combination for roast
chicken to lamb or veal. A wine that is not overpowering as a red, and in no hurry.
Hay Paddock (Waiheke Island red) 2008
Top-flight wine from homegrown Waiheke Island fruit including a percentage of petit
verdot. Very impressive as a red, ripe tannins and a lovely texture give a delicious
mouth-feel perhaps helped by the petit verdot but this blend is fairly unique so
comparisons are difficult. What we do know is that it is working well, a warm wine in
no hurry for years but which opens up within 30 minutes in the wine glass.
Hay Paddock Silk Rose 2011
A superb wine for this style that doesn’t come easily in New Zealand. Made from syrah on Waiheke Island, tasting cleanly pure, dry and refreshing as well as a very good food partner. A rose with a difference, and wine lovers will find this most enjoyable.
Blackenbrook Reserve Nelson Pinot Noir 2009 $32
A charming wine getting into full stride, gutsy in its fruit flavours yet with a remarkable texture for such a big wine. Silky and quite elegant yet with a loud voice which doesn’t shout. Classy wine already and with a long and positive future.
Saint Clair Godfrey Creek Reserve Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010
Nicely fruit-softened and elegant, a supple pinot gris statement from two of Saint Clair's premium vineyards for this variety. Classy, excellent mouth-feel and with two or three years of very good drinking (with food) ahead.
Crossroads Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010
A fresh and zingy Hawke’s Bay style, full of life for some oysters or 'your favourite deep sea fish' as suggested by the label. Dry tasting, lots of energy in the New Zealand sauvignon tradition and two more years of good drinking ahead.
3 Stones Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2010
Nicely fresh and subtle chardonnay, tasting dry, low in oak impact, if any, and a lovely fruit statement. Ready for dinner, fish, poultry, pork or enjoy on the bar late afternoon with some grissini.
Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Crisp, fresh and tasty, a well - and very likeable - style perfectly- balanced and ready to be enjoyed anytime. This label takes over from the first-relapse label before Christmas.
Main Divide Pinot Gris 2010
A very tasty style which appeals straight away; serious yet flavoursome and very approachable. Barrel ageing and some lees contact have clearly added heaps to a positive fruit character. Looks good. Ready, no hurry.
Main Divide Marlborough Merlot-Cabernet 2008
A hearty red with lots of flavours; two years in seasoned oak adds to this. Very drinkable and enjoyable dinner red, tasting ripe and well handled.
Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Pinot Noir 2009
Label describes this as a 'limited release reserve wine' from the Mud House under the Waipara Hills brand. Very nice, young and still opening with some lovely fruit showing. Promises elegance before the end of 2011.
Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Fresh and alive with plenty of clean and tasty sauvignon characters. A very nice wine, positive in its fruit statement and nicely balanced. Well made, almost dry and satisfying to sip on - into 2013.
Selaks East Coast Ice 2010 (375ml)
Very nice dessert wine, from riesling and gewurztraminer, partly freeze-concentrated. Nicely fruited, good life and wide appeal, not heavily sweet yet will work perfectly with most desserts and soft cheeses.
Church Road Reserve Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Single vineyard wine from Highway 50 on red-metal soil. Solid wine for this variety, oak fermented with wild yeast. Sturdy, dry, clearly meant for food.. Still young in style, will live into 2014 and beyond if well kept.
Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010
Dry wine from a single vineyard in the Waihopai Valley sub-region. Very much a food style, lightly spicy with alive varietal characters of apple and pear. Tasting well after a year and still with lots of life ahead.
Sacred Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010
Pretty nice young pinot, bristling with busy fruit with fruity characters. Sound, well-made and cared for, drinking well without hurry,
Mud House Swan Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Swan is the Mud House top range from the best vintages with a focus on varietal character and flavours. This one works well, a single vineyard wine with a lovely depth to the fruit and some finesse emerging. A fine wine in no hurry; best from 2013 on.
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2009
The wine that made Pegasus Bay (and Waipara) famous. Another beauty from 'a perfect year for riesling' according to Matt and Lynette, winemakers. Just off dry, nicely balanced between light sweetness and acidity. A lovely style, tangy with good fruit and firm mineral spine. An all-purpose delight; winemakers give it ten years or more.
Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2009
Lightly sweet (with 14% alcohol) and with the traditional Lawson's aromatics. Not too pungent yet distinctly gewurz; nicely fresh. Another good one in this heritage of more than 10 years of Lawson's gewurztraminer.
Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2007 $28
How lovely to see some four-year-old chardonnay emerge. French-oak fermented, two months lees stirring, partial malo-lactic.
Redmetal Vineyards Hawke’s Bay Merlot - Cabernet Franc 2009
Clean and sound - who said only the Aussies could make a red for this price bracket ! Nothing complicated or demanding but a good plummy, hearty red drinking well now - into 2013.
Lake Hayes Central Otago Pinot Gris 2010
Amisfield blend from home vineyard near Lake Dunstan and other blocks nearer Lake Hayes at Gibbston where the restaurant is. Nicely fruited with a little spice and just a touch of sweetness. Very good drinking with wide appeal.
Lake Hayes Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Quite an elegant and well-textured wine, an alternative style to its Amisfield big brother but in no way an inferior wine. Good fruit and body, ready to be enjoyed yet certainly in no hurry into 2014 or beyond.
Babich Lone Tree Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot – Cabernet 2009
Light, yet tasty, not big in oak and works nicely with food. An easy-going dry red, ready to be enjoyed.
Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignoin 2009
True Elspeth style with dark colour, bold fruit with noticeable condiments of oak and tannin. A very good wine with a long life ahead.
Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2009
Nicely bold for merlot without yielding its full fruit and rounded edges. A little oak and tannin underline the fruit. Good drinking from now on.
Matua Valley Single Vineyard Matheson Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2009
Sound, gutsy merlot with some clear Bordeaux overtones on the nose after a little time open in the wine glass. A classy wine with strength of character and a lot of appeal with food. Perhaps a decade of good drinking ahead for well cared for bottles.
Mount Riley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010
Off dry and nicely aromatic, a wine with a high drinkability rating with friends or with light food courses and snacks. Good pinot gris characters opening up very well and overtly accessible – into 2013.
Sacred Hill (orange label) Hawke’s Bay Merlot – Cabernet 2010
A 96-4 blend, so merlot is very dominant by volume, a little cabernet to keep balance and harmony. Grapes from Gimblett Gravels. This youthful wine is strongly flavoured and robust in body, a wine with lots to happen but already the character shows – bring me some spices or red meat. An enjoyable partner to steak and spicy pasta or pizza. Chicken roast will fit here also.
Nautilus Methode Traditionnelle Marlborough Cuvée Brut
Disgorged after three years on lees. A lovely fresh and refreshing style, crisp and tasty. Mainly pinot noir with a little chardonnay for toning and balance. It works well, a perfect aperitif style, after work breather or a great welcome to a home or function.
Foxes Island Marlborough Chardonnay 2007
Four years on and still plenty of life and chardonnays soul to give satisfaction with all sorts of food and moments. Mature to get the corners rounded off but also generous in the mouth with fine, clean and true flavours.
Foxes Island Marlborough Riesling 2008
Three years on and drinking very well. A soft style with its little age yet flavoursome and a fine example of the variety having passed the fresh phase. Plenty of life ahead just the same; near dry, rounded and enjoyable with fish and also julienned vegetables as antipasto or afternoon nibbles.
Sacred Hill Halo Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2009
Halo is a mid-priced label for Sacred Hill, from their home vineyard and barrel fermented after a top vintage. Not a big oak presence in the wine but a supple, quite elegant chardonnay statement. Nicely ready.
Sacred Hill Halo Marlborough Pinot Gris 2010
From the company’s Hell’s Gate vineyard in Marlborough. An even textured, mild-mannered style with wide appeal; near dry (3.4 g/p/l) and ready now, through 2012.
Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
Named after the winery workers’ partners who don’t see the workers much over the weeks of vintage. The wine is a lovely example of well-fruited Marlborough pinot, the body and texture to give some impact and the fruit strength to go with it. Very good drinking from now on.
Saint Clair Marlborough Merlot 2010
A sound, plummy style with light berry fruit as a condiment. Good body, drinking well and starting to open out its fruit very well. Two or three years of very good drinking ahead.
Saint Clair Pioneer Bull Block 5 Pinot Noir 2009
Single vineyard in Marlborough’s Omaka Valley.. Fuller bodied Pinot, still youthful and melding its oak with some rich, cherry and blackberry fruit. A well-made wine for red meat courses and will continue to open out over the next 3-5 years.
Spinyback by Waimea Nelson Pinot Noir 2009
A little lighter in body than the Waimea big brother yet with sound, balanced flavours that reflect the region and the variety.
Spinyback by Waimea Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Surprising wine given its status as here is an exciting, vibrant wine in fine condition. Already recognised at gold level, a lovely balanced and delicious wine for afternoons, at the bar and with light early courses.
Crossroads Kereru Road Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2010
Very nice chardonnay, glowing with fine Hawke’s Bay fruit, clean, fresh and uncluttered. The top vineyard for Crossroads chardonnay this year and an excellent vintage as well. It all shows in a wine with class and which will continue to develop into 2015.
Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2008 $50
From some of the oldest pinot noir vines in Martinborough. A delightful wine, perfectly textured, the generous fruit easing out both depth and concentration without heaviness. A wine with real class; five years of fine sipping ahead.
West Brook Marlborough Riesling 2010
Gentle citrus and apple tones add interest to a nice fleshy almost-dry riesling. Sensible alcohol (11.5%) for the style. Working well now and in no hurry into 2013.
West Brook Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2010
Strong yet poised spices give this gewurz its touch of class. Already a gold medal winner with its elegance and depth, a fine wine for white meats and as an aperitif with some tapas or cold meats and pickles. Plenty of good life into 2013.
West Brook Hand Picked Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
Dark red coloured with youth on its side, but very enjoyable now with its cherry-plum-spice flavours with a little tannin and oak in behind. Lots of vibrancy and life to be enjoyed with most New Zealand fare from veal to venison. Enjoy into 2014.
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009
Some warmth in the fruit to support the cabernet spine that Coonawarra is so well known for. A big wine for the variety, a little mint and spice from the oak sets off this wine that is satisfying now and yet has a long future.
Jacob’s Creek Reserve Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2009
Two years behind it suits this fresh, uncluttered wine although oak has played a subtle part. Opening well now yet a wine in no hurry, opening up over the next two years too suit fish, veal and white meats.
Matawhero Gisborne Chardonnay 2010
Very nice drop of well-spined chardonnay, some lovely ripe fruit tones line up with a gentle river-stone freshness and a hint of malo-lactic adding its part. Not heavy, very good drinking from antipasto to fillets of fish (including salmon) or roast chicken. No hurry into 2014.
Matawhero Gisborne Merlot 2009
A sturdy red, well flavoured and tasting ripe. A medium-weight wine working well with dinner, from steak to roast or winter casseroles. A little different reflecting the region for this variety perhaps but matches dinner flavours well. Ready, through 2012.
Wild South Marlborough Chardonnay 2010
Low oak impact style, nicely mealy almost nutty and yet fresh with these traits. A very nice all purpose chardonnay, whether a late afternoon aperitif or with light courses. Will continue to open through into 2012 and remain good drinking after that.
Akarua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
Bannockburn vineyard, the vines getting some age on them now. Lovely textured wine, generous, young for its quality but with plenty of class and finesse in the mouth-feel and the fruit. Opening up well and will continue to do so through 2012. Well cared-for bottles will be excellent into 2015.
Akarua Central Otago Pinot Gris 2010
Quite subtle fruit flavours giver this wine a touch of elegance and the depth to the fruit is still opening up. Clearly not intended as a blockbuster style from this variety so it fits nicely as an all-purpose white, near dry, gently flavoured for now. and balanced with acids. No hurry into 2013 at least.
Akarua Rua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010 $26
Once known as ‘The Gullies’ in the Akarua range, a fresh, drink-early style with some lovely fruit. Lightly spicy, gentle oak impact and a harmonious fruit quality makes for very good drinking now, into 2014.
Mission Estate Hawke’s Bay Riesling 2010
Very nicely aromatic, floral style without too much sweetness. Moderate 10% alcohol. A very good Hawke’s Bay wine where riesling performs very well in the right vineyards. Drinking well now as a versatile style for relaxing and for fish courses.
Takutai Nelson Pinot Gris 2009
A Waimea Estate brand. Surprisingly tasty for its status yet with a balance and generosity of fruit that cannot be overlooked. Flavoursome, balanced and nicely ready after two years but no hurry.
Sacred Hill Wine Thief Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2010
Riflemans vineyard, French oak matured. Well constructed, still youthful although not over-oaked, generous yet elegant in its fruit with more to unfold through the year.
C.J. Pask Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2009
Warm, nicely rounded style after two years, opening out very well. Generous fruit, finely balanced with a hint of oak and spicy pepper, a lovely meal partner. No hurry into 2015.
C.J. Pask Gimblett Road Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2010
Subtle wine flavours ensure some delicacy balanced by a mineral tone to provide a dry, all-purpose wine, versatile with food and able to fit in to any time of day. The sound viognier tone continues to evolve (into 2012) without being aggressive or demanding. Four years fine drinking ahead.
Nautilus Marlborough Chardonnay 2010
Still barrel fermented and lees stirred but some techniques f the past have been adjusted, says winemaker Clive Jones, giving a nicely tight yet generous wine with the very likeable and food-friendly river-stone minerality in favour these days along with distinctive chardonnay fruit. Oak affected yet not oak obvious. A delightful wine with three or four years of classy drinking ahead.
Artisan Best Paddock Marlborough Pinot Noir 2008
Sound, tasty style at three years, drinking well now without rush.. From a cool single-vineyard, late ripening and with its own subtle elegance. Lovely with red meats and roast chicken. Balanced and with lots of energy. Ready, into 1014.
Artisan Far Paddock Marlborough Pinot Gris 2009
A couple of golds and a trophy show the class has been recognised here. Excellent depth, a barrow-load of gris flavours and we have a delicious statement, with or without food. Just off dry, full alcohol and able to develop very well into 2014.
Hunter’s Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
If we need a progress measurement of pinot noir from 20 years ago when this label was ‘Wine of the Month’ in Decanter, this surely is it. The thin, wobbly style back then that got a surprise award has evolved into a 2009 version with dark colour, a firm fruit statement and a lovely mouth-feel which reminds us of the finesse and class this variety can show in New Zealand. Excellent balance, heaps of drinkability and still unfolding.
Nikau Point Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2009
Warm, tidy red, showing good varietal flavours, uncluttered and just enough oak and tannin to act as condiments rather than dominate. Working well, ready now – into 2013.
Nikau Point Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2009
A nice refreshing style, flavoursome enough for lunch or early courses or light enough for afternoon nibbles. Well-made, easy-drinking style, near dry (but not quite) and ready from now on for that bread stick and salami.
Five Flax Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010
Doing fine, light, easy, a reflection of a very good year. Even if down the scale a little in price. And status, this remains a satisfying, refreshing glass of sauvignon and will do so into 2012.
Greywacke Marlborough Wild Sauvignon 2009
From the man who brought us Te Koko, here is Kevin Judd’s own wine, oak fermented, wild yeast, part malo-lactic. A dry, serious style of sauvignon, yet distinctly sauvignon in its characters, nothing lost to the wildness and oak. A very nice glass of wine for the enthusiast, ready to be enjoyed but will still be a good drinking in 2014 and perhaps beyond.
Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2010
Half aged in old barrels and with 20 g/p/l of sweetness which is barely noticeable but balanced out with a fresh acidity. Hard to define varietally, but for a lovely texture. The grape need not be dominant in a fine, harmonious wine anyway, and indeed this is very pleasurable drinking and will remain so into 2014.
Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2009
The delights of a fine pinot noir from clearly a master-craftsman in Kevin Judd even if this is not the variety which founded his reputation. A complete wine, delicious and delightful in its fruit presence and its balance; neither heavy not overtly oaky. A splendid wine, into 2015 and beyond if cared for. Worth decanting for now.
Misha’s Vineyard Dress Circle Pinot Gris 2010
Indigenous yeast, just off dry at 12 g/p/l.. Youthful, serious and quite subtle in its fruit flavours, a nice, steady style from late picking. Nothing heavy and a chance to see some finesse in this variety. Will keep opening up into 2013.
Misha’s Vineyard Limelight Riesling 2010
30% older oak matured, semi-sweet 26 g/p/l (but doesn’t show this level with a good acid balance). Delicate wine at this young stage, alive and well spined and winemaker Olly Masters may have a vision which time will fulfil over the next few years.
Rippon Wanaka Central Otago Sauvignion Blanc 2009
Fresh, racy and full flavoured, a very tasty and well-balanced New Zealand sauvignon blanc.
Rippon Jeunesse Wanaka Young Vine Riesling 2009
Jeunesse – youthful but in fact the ‘young’ vines are at least 10 years old. A clean, alive style, good aromatics and working well. Just off dry. No hurry into 2014.
Rippon Wanaka Central Otago Riesling 2009
By contrast with Jeunesse, these vines were planted as much as 25 years before vintage. A lovely wine with both depth and class; near dry and with a moderate 11% alcohol. Whilst fragrant and reasonably delicate in style, there is a depth to the fruit which is very satisfying and showing more as the months pass. A top flight wine in prime condition from late 2011 into 2016.
Two Paddocks Pinot Noir 2008
Two vineyards (Alexandra and Gibbston to which a third has now been added) owned by actor Sam Neill. A sound, serious wine with plenty of depth and warm, generous flavours starting to open out. Youthful but acceptable now (decanting helps or air time in the wine glass) or the potential of bottle age is enormous. Looks very classy.