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Normally $31. Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2009 was one of only 3 to be given a 5 star / top 5 rating in the Cuisine Tasting - with the top wine retailing at $70 . 4½ Stars Michael Cooper, Best Buy – 100 Must try NZ Wines – Michael Cooper
and 18½ + Points, 5 Stars Raymond Chan ( senior wine judge ) who writes "A thoroughly modern, top quality, classy expression of the Right Bank Bordeaux style, this has a purple hued, ruby-red colour and a finely expressed, intense and tightly bound nose of pure black plum and dark red berry fruits. The medium-full bodied palate shows beautifully pure, succulently sweet plum and blackberry fruit flavours nuanced with elements of tobacco and cedar. The depth of fruit combined with elegant style is the feature of the wine. Very fine-grained tannin extraction underpins the fruit and provides a supple frame. The finish is rich and long. Drink this with roasted red meat dishes over the next 6-8+years. 80% Merlot, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 2%Malbec from the ‘Gimblett Gravels' vineyard, fermented to 13.8% alc. and matured 14 months in 35% new French oak barriques." Classy Merlot
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Normally $25. Made using 'the traditional techniques of Chablis', the 2010 vintage is a very gently oaked style, full of interest. Grown near the coast at Te Awanga, and fermented in a mix of tanks (mostly) and French oak barrels, it is fresh and fruit-focused, with good weight and ripe grapefruit, pear and apple flavours, slightly mealy, finely poised and lingering. It's not showy, but refined and satisfying. M Cooper
"Terrific buying for a quality product from Craggy Range"
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Normally $34. Michael Cooper has classified the Odyssey Reserve Iliad Gisborne Chardonnay as an Icon Wine, in his book 'Classic Wines of New Zealand' saying "From one vintage to the next, Rebecca Salmond makes one of Gisborne's classiest wines. "The 2010 ( 5 Stars ) is hand-picked from mature vines in the Kawatiri Vineyard at Hexton and fermented and aged in French oak barriques ( 30% new ), this wine has a creamy, toasty bouquet. Very elegant, youthful and harmonious, it has concentrated stonefruit, grapefruit and slight spice flavours, finely integrated oak and a long, poised finish." M.Cooper
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Normally $21. Richard and Linda Avery's site is located in the famous stony soils of the old Omaka River bed, in the heart of Marlborough's Wairau Valley. "Vibrant colour streaked with silver hues. This wine bursts with aromas of passionfruit, blackcurrant, flint and capsicum. On the palate, the fruit is matched by savoury complexity, characterized as oyster shell and stony mineral notes. The finish is unusually long with a brine like textural flourish."
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Normally $36- superb buying for this prestigous label's new release. Word on the street is that this is an incredible Elston- possibly Te Mata's greatest ever! 90+/100 from Robert Parkers Wine Advocate that writes "The 2010 Elston Chardonnay gives intense aromas of pineapple, guava and warm apricot over nuances of cream, nuts, toast and oatmeal. Medium-full bodied and richly fruited, it has a nice suggestion of texture, refreshing acidity and a long finish. Drinking now, it should remain good through 2015."
M.Cooper writes "One of New Zealands most illustrious Chardonnays, Elston is stylish, intense, slowly evolving Hawkes Bay wine. At around 4 yrs old, it is notably complete, showing concentration and finesse." M.Cooper
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Normally $24. The 2011 (4 1/2 stars) is richly scented and mouthfilling, with peach, pear and lychee flavours showing excellent depth, delicacy and balance. Slightly sweet, vibrantly fruity and youthful;, it has some spicy, gingery notes adding interest and obvious potential.
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This is Astrolabe's baby sister and is an absolute steal for the quality.( Pinot Grigio is the Italian name for what we call Pinot Gris ). 4 1/2 Stars in Wine Orbit Magazine "This is even better than last year’s, showing greater fruit intensity. It’s immediately attractive on the nose with gorgeously ripe peach, pear and floral characters. The palate is juicy and lively with a touch of sweetness and bright acidity. The tasty flavours lingers on and on. At its best: now to 2012."
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Light, dry and crisp from Spain. Proper rose made for consuming in hot weather. Made from Grenache in the traditional saignee method. After a maceration of around 24 hours, the juice is seperated from the skins by gravity with no mechanical pressing, to create a pale, delicate rose.
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Normally $45. One of Metro Magazine's 100 Wines for Summer. 5 Stars and Top 10 in the Cuisine Pinot Noir Tasting, 90+/100 from Parkers Wine Advocate and 90/100 by Bob Campbell who writes Aromatic Pinot Noir with a savoury edge to ripe plum and dark cherry. Moderately dense and richly textured wine with a lengthy finish. A nice mix of rustic tannins with sweet and rather elegant fruit. Quite a distinctive and appealing style.
Cuisine write "Nothing amiss with Amisfield's current release. A languid silkiness characterises the texture; plums , spice and dried herb flavours are supported by rich tannins and superb acidity. Definitely a sleeper that will reward five years in the cellar." Another quality Amisfield product.
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Normally $20- this is a great buy for a quality label.
Gold Medal, Champion Sauvignon Blanc 2011 and Champion Wine of the Show at the inaugural Marlborough Wine Show where more than 400 wines were entered but there could only be one winner. For the last two years in a row it was rated Top 10 Sauvignon Blanc and 5 stars from Cuisine’s Annual Tasting.
Michael Cooper, 5 stars , Wine of the Week (NZ Listener Magazine)
“...Invivo is a label to watch. This punchy dry wine was mostly grown in the late ripening Westhaven Vineyard at Dashwood. Rich and refined, it is tight and minerally, with vibrant, slightly nettley flavours, showing impressive intensity, delicacy, harmony and length
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