| Wines Tasted |
| |
|
Clifford Bay Riesling 2006 RRP $20.50 |
|
  |
| Review:
|
Good varietal aromas of petrol. The palate shows clean, fresh melon fruit and a lively, spritzy acidity with good concentration of flavour and decent persistency. |
| Region:
|
Marlborough |
| Winery:
|
Clifford Bay Estate |
|
|
|
Cognoscenti Syrah 2006 RRP $28.50 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Definitely a wine of potential. The cigar box nose precedes ripe and dense fruit flavours with distinctive pepper nuances. The tannins then explode in your mouth giving a chalky finish. When these soften a top class wine will be the results. Put some in the cellar. |
| Region:
|
Gisborne |
| Winery:
|
Waimata Vineyard |
|
|
|
Waimea Dry Riesling 2005 RRP $17.90 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
The aromas of tropical pineapple lead to lemon and lime flavours married to a firm acidity. This is an upfront wine that is clean and crisp with good fruit and is thus very enjoyable. |
| Region:
|
Nelson |
| Winery:
|
Waimea Estates |
|
|
|
Turtle Bay Chardonnay 2007 RRP $19.99 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
There is a slight nuttiness on the nose whilst the palate exhibits reasonable fruit and a touch oak. Simple, straightforward and easy drinking. |
| Region:
|
Hawkes Bay |
| Winery:
|
Hatton Estate |
|
|
|
Mud House Swan Central Otago Pinot Noir 2007 RRP $29.95 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Great purple colour and blackcurrant aromas with a touch of burnt sugar. The palate has excellent cherry and plum characteristics with nuances of tomato leaf. Its has prolonged length and improved the longer it was open. Quality wine. |
| Region:
|
Central Otago |
| Winery:
|
Mud House Wines |
|
  |
|
|
Farmgate Gewurztraminer 2007 RRP $25.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Unlike many of the Gewurztraminers in the tasting this one had a touch of zing. The fruit was fresh and juicy and the aromas were distinctively ginger and turkish delight. Went well in the consumer tasting too. |
| Region:
|
Hawkes Bay |
| Winery:
|
Farmgate Wines |
|
|
|
| |
|
Mount Fishtail Pinot Noir 2007 RRP $19.70 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Quite light in colour this wine exhibits jammy aromas. This sweet fruit style is carried through to the palate and combines with quite dry tannins. Simple easy drinking wine. |
| Region:
|
Marlborough |
| Winery:
|
Konrad & Co. Ltd. |
|
|
| |
|
Coopers Creek Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Early Release 2008 RRP $18.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
The first 2008 sauvignon that we have tried and if this is the standard then it is a much better vintage than has been predicted. The wine has a bright, vibrant and fruity nose and a palate of plentiful tropical fruit flavours allied to a firm acidity. Delicious now and should improve in the coming months. |
| Region:
|
Marlborough |
| Winery:
|
Coopers Creek Vineyard Ltd |
|
 |
|
|
Opihi Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $28.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Quite pale in colour the aromas are cherries with a touch of pepper which is carried through to the palate. There it is joined by tight, drying tannins. The finish is quite soft and reasonably persistent. |
| Region:
|
Canterbury |
| Winery:
|
Opihi Vineyard |
|
|
|
Pegasus Bay Main Divide Riesling 2007 RRP $19.95 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Another tremendous Riesling from Pegasus Bay and this one is even under $20. Petrol and turkish delight aromas abound as do the tropical and apricot flavours. The classic spritz is also present and all wrapped up in a seamless acidity. Tangy persistent finish. |
| Region:
|
Waipara |
| Winery:
|
Pegasus Bay Winery |
|
|
|
|
|
Monkey Bay Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $15.99 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Good honeysuckle aromas are replaced by pear and tropical fruit flavours that have fair concentration allied to decent acidity. The finish is soft and rounded. Enjoyable at a very fair price. |
| Region:
|
|
| Winery:
|
Nobilo Wine Group Ltd |
|
|
|
Brunton Road Merlot 2007 RRP $19.00-20.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
The ripe berry fruit nose leads to soft ripe and savoury fruit tied to drying, chalky tannins that will soften and integrate over time. Has potential. |
| Region:
|
Gisborne |
| Winery:
|
Brunton Road Wines Limited |
|
|
|
Spinyback Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $17.90 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Lifted aromas of ginger and rose petal succumb to ripe, juicy concentrated fruit married to good acidity. A wine of beautiful consistency that has great balance and length. Super buy. |
| Region:
|
Nelson |
| Winery:
|
Waimea Estates |
|
|
|
|
|
Vinoptima Ormond Gewurztraminer 2004 RRP $55.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
This wine caused a lot of discussion amongst the judges with one loving it and another concerned about volative acidity. Undoubtedly it has a sweet and honeyed aroma with rich opulent fruit that makes for a long and luscious finish. Particularly enjoyed by the consumers. |
| Region:
|
Gisborne |
| Winery:
|
Vinoptima Estate |
|
|
|
|
|
Devil’s Backbone Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $29.95 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
One of the best Pinots that we have reviewed this year let alone in this tasting. The earthy and dense fruit aromas are superceded by ripe and juicy cherry fruit which has excellent concentration and consistency. The tannins are bold and perfectly balanced whilst the finish is smooth and persistent. Buy some now! |
| Region:
|
Central Otago |
| Winery:
|
William Hill Vineyard and Shaky Bridge Wines |
|
|
|
|
|
Bald Hills "Last Light" Riesling 2007 RRP $27.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
A young light wine that has good citrus, lime aromas and flavours as well as a firm acidity and good length. Clean and fresh, it just needs a little time to integrate. One for the cellar. |
| Region:
|
Central Otago |
| Winery:
|
Bald Hills Vineyard |
|
|
| |
| |
|
Turtle Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2007 RRP $18.99 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Persistent aromas of peaches, violets and geraniums give way to citrus almost marmalade flavours and a flinty acidity. Simple but clean fresh and enjoyable. |
| Region:
|
Nelson |
| Winery:
|
Hatton Estate |
|
|
|
Pegasus Bay Riesling 2007 RRP $26.95 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Varietally correct and intense aromas of petrol are followed by wonderful juicy fruit flavours and classic riesling spritz. As you would expect with a wine as packed with fruit as this the finish is long and persistent. Top class. |
| Region:
|
Waipara |
| Winery:
|
Pegasus Bay Winery |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Vavasour Riesling 2006 RRP $20.50 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
A good wine that one judge raved about. If you like your Riesling very fruity with high residual sugar (ie. a medium style) then this is for you. Undoubtedly it is well made and beautifully in balance with pure fruit flavours. Enjoy. |
| Region:
|
Marlborough |
| Winery:
|
Vavasour Wines Ltd |
|
|
|
|
|
Waimea Bolitho SV Riesling 2006 RRP $21.90 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
This wine has a soft floral nose and very upfront lime and mineral flavours combined with a touch of spritz. Its weight is quite light but with good persistency. |
| Region:
|
Nelson |
| Winery:
|
Waimea Estates |
|
|
|
Waimea Bolitho SV Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $24.90 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
The best Pinot Gris in this tasting and as Waimea also make the second best - Spinyback - they should be applauded. This wine has excellent ginger and turkish delight aromas and a palate that is rich and opulent with lovely, sweet juicy fruit and a hint of ginger. Concentrated and persistent this is a must buy. |
| Region:
|
Nelson |
| Winery:
|
Waimea Estates |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Morton Estate Stone Creek Riesling 2006 RRP $21.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
A mineral nose with lime and citrus notes. The palate displays vibrant green apple and lime characteristics allied to a lovely, clean, crisp acidity that makes this wine very refreshing. Great persistency and concentration. |
| Region:
|
Hawkes Bay |
| Winery:
|
Morton Estate Ltd |
|
|
|
|
|
Maimai Creek Riesling 2007 RRP $15.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Decent lime aromas lead to citrus and green apple flavours and a light acidity. The finish is clean and off dry. Straightforward wine that will please many. |
| Region:
|
Hawkes Bay |
| Winery:
|
Maimai Creek Wines |
|
|
| |
|
Konrad Sigrun Noble Two 2007 RRP $26.60 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Konrad make particularly distinctive dessert wines and this is an especially good vintage. Rich and powerful it has intense lemon and citrus fruit with incredible concentration. It texture is velvet and it exhibits a tremendous freshness. Simply great. |
| Region:
|
Marlborough |
| Winery:
|
Konrad & Co. Ltd. |
|
|
|
|
|
Bald Hills Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $46.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Dark and intense the cherry flavours are pronounced and are well balanced by chunky tannins well suited for the structure of this wine. Should continue to develop and improve. |
| Region:
|
Central Otago |
| Winery:
|
Bald Hills Vineyard |
|
|
|
Cape Campbell Pinot Gris 2007 RRP $18.95 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
Subtle peach aromas are a prelude to more intense fruit flavours in the palate that are combined with quite high alcohol. Decent finish and one of the better Pinot Gris in this tasting. |
| Region:
|
Marlborough |
| Winery:
|
Cape Campbell Wines |
|
|
|
Sandihurst Medium Riesling 2004 RRP $21.50 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
This wine has a lovely sweet, almost honey, aroma with petrol nuances. The citrus fruit flavours are extremely ripe and exhibits a touch of spritz. The acidity is broad and soft - hence its 'medium' description. Generous and full this is a little different and interesting |
| Region:
|
Canterbury |
| Winery:
|
Sandihurst Wines Ltd |
|
|
| |
| |
| |
|
Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $38.00 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
A savoury and spicy wine that is still young. It has decent fruit, a great colour and clean, light tannins and just needs more time to develop and evolve. |
| Region:
|
Central Otago |
| Winery:
|
Wooing Tree Vineyard |
|
|
| |
|
8 Ranges Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006 RRP $29.95 |
|
|
|
| Review:
|
This wine has vibrant colour with dark berry almost jammy aromas. The palate is quite smokey and the tannins a little grippy. However, these should continue to ease and this is undoubtedly a food wine. |
| Region:
|
Central Otago |
| Winery:
|
Eight Ranges Wines |
|
|
| |
| |
