Festive and Barbecue Wines
As you would expect the theme of this tasting created a wide range of entries. At the same time, this turned out to be one of the best tastings that we have done with many high class wines present.
The 2008 sauvignons have definitely improved for a little bottle age and the pinot noirs were the best selection that we have ever tasted. Add to this some high class fizz, several delicious chardonnays and some enjoyable roses and you have a treat for the judges - who certainly took their time over the tasting this month!
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12,000 Miles Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $17.00
Green apple and straw aromas are evident. There is a firm, crisp acidity with a touch of weight on the palate. The finish is clean and fairly persistent . Easy drinking style. More
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Askerne Rose 2008 $16.00
Strong and vibrant in colour, the nose is confectionary and the palate has subtle cooked fruit characteristics whilst the finish is clean and quite persistent. More
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Black Estate Chardonnay 2007 $29.95
Definitely Burgundian in style this is a Chardonnay to have with food. Wonderful aromas of butterscotch and oak are enhanced by the ripe, toasty peach flavours and the strong oak. Golden and unctuous this lovely wine will improve in time. Get some! More
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Black Estate Pinot Noir 2006 $39.95
Ripe boysenberry aromas abound and are amply carried through to the palate where they are joined by ripe raspberry and cherry flavours all held together by fine chalky tannins and a soft acid backbone. There are spicy elements here too and overall this is a complex wine that, whilst excellent now, will continue to evolve and improve. More
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Drumsara Central Otago Pinot Noir - Ventifacts Block 2007 $37.00
This is a multiple gold medal winning wine and quite rightly so. It has a wonderfully rounded nose and the palate displays sweet, juicy plums perfectly balanced by some spice, rich tannins and a seamless acidity. More
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Gladstone Rose 2008 $22.00
Quite pale in colour but strong in aroma this rose has a rich opulent style with good fruit flavours and a touch of depth and complexity. The finish is clean and off-dry. More
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Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $24.00
The nose delivers guava and ripe tropical fruit whilst the palate shows decent fruit allied to a crisp acidity. An easy drinking wine that will please many. More
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Grasshopper Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2007 $29.95
Only the second vintage from this winery and the second Top Tip that it has won! Moreover, it is excellent value for a Central Otago Pinot. The wine itself has fresh, vibrant cherry aromas that are complemented by the intense savoury plum and caramel flavours in the palate. The tannins are firm and combined with the complexity that the wines displays, should ensure that it continues to evolve and improve. More
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Gravitas Noble Riesling (Hugo's Delight) 2007 $26.95
Wonderfully unctuous honeyed aromas are backed up by the very ripe and juicy fruit and rich acidity. Well made and beautifully balanced. More
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Gravitas Pinot Noir 2006 $32.95
Another high quality Pinot - this tasting was full of them. Savoury and earthy aromas succumb to ripe berries flavours that have good weight. This is well balanced by the silky tannins and the finish is smooth and persistent. More
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Gravitas Reserve Chardonnay 2007 $26.95
A lovely elegant wine. The nose is mealy and savoury and the palate provides pure, ripe peach flavours and an excellent oily texture. The finish is clean and persistent. More
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Gravitas Sauvignon Blanc 2007 $20.00
Asparagus nuances are prevalent on the nose whilst the palate delivers savoury capsicum with an excellent and balanced acid backbone. This wine has developed well and is good with food too. More
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Hawkshead Pinot Gris 2008 $29.50
Wow - a huge wine. Green apple and quince aromas do not really prepare you for the concentrated green apple almost confectionary flavours that follow. The acidty is firm and zingy and this is definitely a wine of great potential. Put some in the cellar. More
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Hawkshead Riesling 2008 $29.50
The subtle aromas of pear and quince are instantly overtaken by the vibrant, concentrated citrus fruit that meets the palate. The acidity is soft and the finish is clean and persistent. Should continue to develop and could well make up into a high class wine. More
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HAY MAKeR Gisborne Chardonnay 2008 $16.95
Subtle nutty aromas lead to decent fruit flavours with good oak integration and a slightly oily texture. Easy drinking wine that should open out a little more with time. More
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HAY MAKeR Gisborne Pinot Gris 2008 $16.95
The quince and confectionary aromas precede solid pear flavours, balanced acidity and a good persistent finish. Not complicated but very enjoyable - perfect with the barbecue. More
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HAY MAKeR Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $16.95
An easy drinking savvy that has an excellent nose of soft, sweet juicy fruit. The palate displays mellow fruit flavours joined to subtle acidity. The finish is clean and consistent and this was a wine that improved the longer that it was open. Attractively priced too. More
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HAY MAKeR Waipara Riesling 2008 $16.95
Very drinkable - a simple and enjoyable Riesling that has turkish delight and rose petal aromas. The fruit is sweet and juicy and the acidity is rich with a touch of opulence. Good value. More
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Hihi Full Monty Chardonnay 2007 $16.00
An unoaked chardonnay - the nose shows lime and mineral nuances whilst the palate has stonefruit characteristics with a slightly toasted finish. Straightforward and good value. More
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Hihi Lock Stock & Many Barrels 2007 $18.00
As you may be able to tell, Hihi like their films! Made from an intriguing blend of cabernet franc, pinotage, merlot and malbec, the wine has a spicy, peppery aroma with decent fruit weight and chalky tannins in the palate. It also displays some opulence and good mouthfeel and persistence. Excellent value. More
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Hihi Rosé 2008 $18.00
From Hihi Wines. Lovely vibrant colour and boysenberry aromas precede a clean and fresh wine with decent fruit weight and a lively acid backbone. Good honest drinking at a sensible price. More
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Hunter's MiruMiru 2006 $27.90
An elegant floral nose with a hint of honey leads to yeasty, toasted flavours and full ripe fruit that are married to a generous, round acidity. Clean and fresh finish. More
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Hunter's MiruMiru Reserve 2004 $34.90
Distinctive and perfumed peach and honey aromas are followed by broad and generous fruit flavours and a soft acidity. Went down especially well in the consumer tasting. More
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Hunter's Rose 2008 $17.90
Made from 100% Pinot Noir this is an excellent, well-made rose. Ripe strawberry aromas are complimented by sweet, juicy cherry flavours with a hint of spice. The wine has good weight and length. More
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Invivo Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $22.99
This recently launched wine is an interesting newcomer to the market. Tropical and herbaceous aromas give way to sweet stone fruit flavours that have decent weight and are tied to a soft acidity. More
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KEW Gewurztraminer 2007 $25.00
Gentle violet and rose petal aromas intensify well in the palate where they are well balanced by the soft acidity. Elegant and easy to drink this wine will continue to develop. More
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KEW Gewurztraminer 2008 $25.00
Violets abound both in the nose and the mouth where turkish delight flavours also come through. This is a soft elegant wine with a gentle acid backbone. Good persistency. More
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KEW Reserve Chardonnay 2006 $25.00
A really elegant and feminine wine that will please many people. Golden in colour with an excellent butterscotch nose, the palate has delicious soft fruit and an opulent texture. The acid backbone is very gentle whilst the finish is clean and persistent. More
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KEW Virgin Chardonnay 2006 $19.95
The tropical aromas give way to broad fruit flavours, good texture and a soft acidity. Unoaked in style this straightforward wine is good for current drinking. More
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KEW Virgin Chardonnay 2008 $19.95
Soft, ripe and peachy with full flavours and good persistency. There is a nice touch of richness here and this is a really good chardonnay to have as an aperitif. Enjoy. More
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KEW Wild Rose 2008
Sweeter in style than many roses this wine has generous strawberry fruit flavours allied to a soft opulent acidity making for an easy drinking style. More
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Lawson's Dry Hills Pinot Gris 2008 $23.00
As you would expect from this winery, a high class wine. It is soft and luscious with a beautiful, unctuous texture. The aromas are of turkish delight and the palate displays good fruit weight. Will keep improving too. More
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Lawson's Dry Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2008
We tried this wine in a tasting 2 months ago and it is improving nicely. Passionfruit aromas lead to ripe, grassy capsicum fruit and a fresh lively acidity. The finish is clean and very persistent. More
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Locharburn Pinot Gris 2008 $24.95
Lime and mineral aromas precede good pear fruit flavours. The acidity is firm and the finish is rounded and persistent. The flavours increased the longer the wine was open and this wine will continue to develop well in the coming months. More
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Locharburn Pinot Noir 2006 $35.95
This wine has superb black cherry and spice aromas that are carried through to the palate where they combine with raspberry and plum characteristics as well as subtle French oak and dense tannins. More
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Locharburn Pinot Rose 2008 $25.95
Very pale in colour, the nose has delicate cooked berry nuances. In the palate the wine displays sweet, juicy fruit and a soft acidity. The finish is clean and shows some persistency. More
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Lone Goat Canterbury Riesling 2008 $18.00
Pale in colour this wine has floral aromas, juicy fruit and particularly vibrant and zingy acidity. Given time the fruit characters will become more pronounced and the wine will develop accordingly. More
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Lone Goat Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $17.00
Plenty of soft tropical, almost lychee, fruit aromas and flavours here. The acidity is crisp and firm with a good finish. Overall a good easy drinking wine that gives much enjoyment. More
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Lone Goat Canterbury Unoaked Chardonnay 2008 $18.00
Potentially an excellent wine, this wine currently has sweet tropical aromas. The palate is a little more restrained but the fruit characteristics are certainly there and develop and broaden in the months ahead. More
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Mill Road Pinot Noir 2006
Leathery and savoury aromas lead to subtle berry fruit flavours with a hint of cinnamon. The tannins are soft and well integrated whilst the finish is clean and fairly persistent. More
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Millton Merlot Rose Te Arai Vineyard 2008 $21.99
The judges rated this the best Rose in the tasting. It has a vibrant pink colour with attractive raspberry and strawberry aromas which are carried through to the palate where they combine with a lively, spritzy acidity to give clean, fresh flavours and long persistent finish. Great on its own or with food. More
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Millton Muskats @ Dawn 2008 $21.99
The pale colour does not prepare you for the rich aromas and fullsome, golden flavours that erupt in the mouth. Turkish delight and ginger abound and are beautifully combined with the soft, opulent acidity. Great summer aperitif. More
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MOMO Pinot Gris 2008 $22.95
The pleasant floral aromas are smoothly followed by ripe fruit flavours married to a soft acidity and an off dry finish. A feminine wine in an easy drinking style. More
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MOMO Riesling 2008 $17.95
Subtle aromas of jasmine lead to decent fruit and a quite drying acidity. The finish is clean and crisp. A straightforward, well made and easy drinking wine. More
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Morton Estate Non Vintage Brut Methode Traditionnelle NV $21.00
Fresh, clean and bright this wine has pleasant bread and yeast aromas combined with good fruit and mealiness in the palate and excellent length. The fizz is gentle and not overly persistent. More
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Morton Estate Reserve Sec Methode Traditionnelle NV $19.00
When we say that this wine has an easy drinking style it is meant as a compliment - it is a super fizz ideal for parties. It has very balanced fruit and yeast aromas with very ripe and soft fruit flavours with a good touch of creaminess. This all leads to a long and persistent finish. Very enjoyable. More
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Muddy Water Growers' Series Rose 2008 $23.00
Made from 100% Pinot Noir from Waipara and Central Otago, this is an easy drinking Rose that displays good berry fruit characteristics and a dry acidity. More
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Nautilus Cuvee Marlborough Brut NV $39.00
Pale straw in colour this fizz has nutty aromas with a smidge of yeast. The bead is fine and the mousse creamy and it is all held together by a dry, steely acidity. More
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Nikau Point Merlot Cabernet Reserve 2004
The rich berry aromas are the introduction to firm dark berry flavours allied to rich, opulent tannins that give a lovely mouthfeel. Allow this wine to breathe a little before drinking. More
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Pegasus Bay ARIA Late Picked Riesling 2007 $36.95
Pegasus Bay really are masters of Riesling. There are apricot, nectar and honeysuckle aromas that pave the way for rich and unctuous fruit flavours. But really set this wine apart is the backbone of minerality and acidity which keep it tightly knit. Definitely the perfect summer aperitif. More
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Pegasus Bay Main Divide TE HAU 2006 $31.95
Leathery aromas give way to excellent sweet, ripe fruit and rich, intense tannins. Gamey elements comes through well and there is a hint of chocolate in the finish which is full and persistent. More
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Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet 2005 $28.95
Cassis and plums are prevalent on the nose and remain in the palate along with spice and rose petal. These flavours all rest on chalky tannins which complement the depth of flavours perfectly. Excellent now and in the future. More
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Pisa Moorings Pinot Noir 2005 $35.00
This is a strong, almost grippy wine with an earthy, leathery nose. There are excellent silky tannins and a good concentration of fruit flavours. Went down really well in the Consumer Tasting too. More
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Pisa Moorings Pinot Noir 2006 $35.00
Lighter in style than many Central Otago Pinots. The leathery and forest floor aromas are followed by soft ripe berry flavoursallied to tight tannins. There is good fruit/oak integration and the finish is clean and persistent. More
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River Farm Merlot 2006 $35.00
The fruit flavours are ripe, juicy and savoury whilst the tannins are drying and chalky. This gives the wine an earthy style that works well with food. More
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River Farm Pinot Gris 2007 $26.00
Off-dry in style this is a well-made Pinot Gris that displays generous fruit flavours with a hint of spice and a soft, opulent acidity. Not complicated but definitely a great drink for the summer. More
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River Farm Pinot Noir 2006 $35.00
This is a lighter style of Pinot that is well made and gives much pleasure. It has ripe boysenberry aromas and elegant berry fruit flavours that knit well with the soft, drying tannins. More
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Riverside Rose 2008 $16.00
Improved the longer it was in the glass ending up as a wine with confectionary aromas, ripe juicy fruit and fresh acidity. Good now but could well improve for a little cellaring. Interesting. More
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Salvare Merlot Rose 2008 $16.00
Made from Gimblett Raod Merlot this wine has good colour, cooked fruit aromas and vibrant fruit flavours that are created in an off-dry style. One of the better roses. More
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Salvare Viognier 2008 $25.00
Good, clean citrus aromas are replaced by fresh tropical fruit flavours married to a tight acidity and firm alcohol. Decent Viognier from a new Hawkes Bay winery. More
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Shaky Bridge Pinot Noir 2006 $38-42.00
Dark ruby in colour this wine has an earthy, forest floor nose. The palate exhibits good fruit concentration and drying earthy tannins. The finish is clean and persistent and whilst good now this is a wine that will continue to develop. More
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Spinyback Pinot Gris 2008 $17.90
Proper Pinot Gris - the honeysuckle nose succumbs to the orange peel flavours that combine very elegantly with the crisp acidity. Rich and powerful this wine has excellent length and will continue to improve. More
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Spinyback Pinot Noir 2007
The judges used the following words to descibe this Pinot from Nelson: sweet, ripe, gamey, good berry fruit, well structured, concentrated, lovely fruit/oak integration. Think that about sums it up. Buy some! More
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Spinyback Sauvignon Blanc 2008 $14.90
Simply the best 2008 savvy that we have tasted and its great value too. The vibrant passionfruit nose precedes a palate of ripe, tropical fruit with distinctive herbaceous nuances. In essence proper sauvignon flavours. More
