A semillon of profound length, driving with considerable concentration and undeviating line into a very long finish. There’s great purity of lemon and lime fruit, with notes of lemon grass, slowly building roast nut complexity. The acidity is softly integrated, making for great drinking right now, and endurance to hold for some years yet. Best […]
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Harvested a full month after Bress’ Heathcote Shiraz, the intensity on display here is tremendous, laced with black fruits and liquorice, yet never pushing its concentration too far, riding the conservative edge of full-bodied with particular prowess. The fruit is of sufficient proportions to effortlessly sustain full whole bunch fermentation, lending complexity of lifted violets, […]
readVilla Maria has long produced some of Marlborough’s finest pinots, and as the region’s reds continue to rise, one of the country’s largest family-owned wineries continues to set the pace. The fruit focus on display here is captivating in its aromas of violets and its flavours of black cherries and blackberries. The palate is fine-tuned […]
readA value-for-money triumph of 2011, creating an enticing juxtaposition between succulent, ripe dark berry compote and rhubarb fruits and the cool season tension of tangy acidity and finely textured, peppery tannins. Textured mouthfeel and confident persistence give an air of sophistication. $10 at Boccaccio, Jim’s and Nicks.
readThe ever-enterprising Bert Werden (WineStar) has sourced a fizz from one of the names that you and I love on the Mornington Peninsula and thrown it up at $10 less than you’d expect to pay for the real thing. The result is a bottle of bubbles with a lot more concentration and fruit persistence than […]
readThe Kalleskes reckon the 2012s are up there with the best wines to emerge from their famous little winery, and their first 2012 red to hit the ground is a promising sign indeed. This brilliant rendition of Clarry’s unites the strawberries, raspberries and mixed spice of grenache with the deep-set black fruits, liquorice and pepper […]
readToo many rosés are simply an excuse to bulk-up a pinot, making dedicated examples like this all the more impressive. Low yielding, early picked pinot lends a medium pink hue and sweet, generous aromas of ripe strawberries and juicy red cherries. The palate is a refreshing counterpoint, with tangy and lively red fruits, a well-played […]
readAs Kumeu’s vines have gained maturity, there’s been a progressive backing-off of sweetness, to about two-thirds of what it once was, a refreshing trend in a country notorious for producing sweet gris. The focus here is on texture, which maker Michael Brajkovich likens to pinot noir, pointing out that the two are essentially the same […]
readA sensational follow-on to the excellent 2009, here’s proof that bargain NZ pinot is no one-hit-wonder. A beautifully lifted fruit expression of violets, red cherries, pink pepper and blackberries lingers long into the finish. Finely structured, silky tannins provide gentle support, drawing into a tangy berry fruits finish. An enticingly fruit focused and approachable bargain. […]
readHere’s a beautifully approachable riesling that tactfully avoids the searing acidity of Clare and Eden, making for a widely appealing style. Subtle residual sweetness is played tactically to provide gentle fleshiness to a pristine and refreshingly zesty style of long, clean persistence. Kaffir lime spice, pepper, pristine lime zest and granny smith apple peel are […]
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