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Cloudy Bay, Marlborough, New Zealand
Normally $34. Cloudy Bay continues to set the benchmark in N.Z sauvignon. Grapes are sourced from estate and grower vineyards located in the Rapaura, Fairhall, Renwick and Brancott sub-regions of the Wairau Valley. Free draining, stony soils typify the Rapaura and Renwick areas whilst Fairhall and Brancott are predominantly aged alluvial loamscontaining some clay. "Generosity is the defining word for the 2009 Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc. Its aromatics encapsulate a broad spectrum of varietal flavours; tropical fragrances of guava and mango to ripe lime/ citrus and sweet herbs.The palate also is juicy and voluminous, combining concentrated flavours with a mineral acidity that leaves a long, fresh, intense finish." . A super classic
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Astrolabe, Marlborough, New Zealand
Astrolabe's limited edition sauvignon from the Awatere has just been released. Last years vintage was Top rated 2008 Sauvignon by Sue Courtneys 'Wine of the Week' web site. Blind tasted it stood out amongst the likes of Cloudy Bay, Dog Point and St Clair. Also in Bob Cambells 'Top 12' sauvignons of 2008 and he writes "It was no surprise to see this winery at the head of the field, nor to see their Awatere wine breast the tape ahead of other sauvignon labels. And as Bob says "In recent years, Astrolabe has steadily climbed up the charts with its pure and powerful sauvignon blanc, but since the release of the Awatere and Kekerengu single-vineyard wines last year, it's having a serious crack at earning the tittle of NZ's best sauvignon blanc producer." Bob Campbell. The 2009 promisies to perhaps be the best yet according to Simon Waghorn- the winemaker. This is a good as it gets!
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Craggy Range Vineyards, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Museum stock just released ( very limited ) especially for Caro's. What a pleasure to get aged wine straight from Craggys cellars which means it is in mint condition. Massive, massive reviews means this is not to be missed. A beauty for Christmas. 94 Points (5 stars) from Bob Campbell who writes
"A blend of the very best merlot (92 per cent), cabernet franc (7 per cent) and cabernet sauvignon (1 per cent) grown in Craggy Range's Gimblett Gravels vineyards. Big, dense red with strong dark berry, licorice, dried spice and classy oak flavours. Although the tannins are firm and the flavours to some extent impenetrable, the wine promises to reward anyone with sufficient willpower to keep it for up to a decade, possibly more." Also 5 Stars Cuisine and 92/100 from Robert Parkers Wine Advocate. A one off not to be missed.
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Te Mata Winery, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Coleraine is New Zealand’s most famous red
wine. First produced in 1982, this classic blend
of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc
displays the concentration, complexity and elegance
found in the world’s finest wines. Coleraine derives
its name from the Coleraine vineyard, home of John
and Wendy Buck of Te Mata Estate. John’s late
grandfather was born in Coleraine in Northern
Ireland and the name has been maintained through
the family home to the wine.
"Coleraine ’08 has a deep magenta colour with lifted aromas of roses, blackcurrant syrup and dark chocolate. The palate shows great intensity with assertive dark fruit fl avours, espresso and spice underpinned by firm tannins giving structure to the long finish.
"Coleraine ’08 is a blend of 53% cabernet sauvignon, 28% merlot, and 19% cabernet franc. It will continue to develop in bottle and provide great enjoyment between 6 and 12 years." Te Mata
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Gisborne & Hawkes Bay - Other, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Due end of October. Book now. 97/100 in Bob Campbells NZ Bordeaux- Style Tasting in Gourmet Traveller Magazine. "Supremely elegant, perfumed blend of merlot and cabernet franc that delivers fine berry, spice and oak flavours with subtlety but shows impressive power in its lingering finish. The best part is the wines fine grained texture. Though accessible now, this is a wine that deserves at least a few years cellaring. The 2005 vintage was the winner in a well publicised tasting comparing six top Bordeaux reds from the same vintage. In my view 2006 was a better vintage than 2005." Bob Campbell
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Hunters Wines, Marlborough, New Zealand
This is a methode that we have sold pallets and pallets of because Hunters age the wine far longer than the average methode and this gives the wine that yeasty character that all good bubblys should display. Miru Miru is the Maori term for bubbles. This is one of the few NZ sparkling wines to include the champagne grape varity Pinot Meunier in its blend, although at 5% it plays a relatively minor role to chardonnay ( 58% ) and pinot noir ( 37% ). "A sophisticated sparkler blending Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier to give a delciate, complex and quite champagne-like style with attractive lifted bread-like characters. The wine is dry, soft textured and very attractive." Bob Campbell.
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Due end of October. Book now. 97/100 from Bob Campbell who writes "Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc blend that beat three First Growth Bordeaux and a bunch of other distinguished wines from the same vintage. This really is a very classy red - wonderfully dense, long and linear flavours contained by very fine tannins. An aristocratic wine without any hint of coarseness. Quite remarkable. Very complex although it's difficult to describe the array of berry, floral, spice and savoury flavours."
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Gisborne & Hawkes Bay - Other, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Quoted as $65 in Gourmet Traveller where Bob Campbell scored it 97/100 in his NZ Bordeaux- Style Tasting. ( Only one wine scored higher as it outscored many wines at $60 plus ). John Hawkesby also chose it as one of his 'Wines of the Year' in the NZ Herald and it also scored 93/100 from Robert Parkers Wine Advocate. "A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Very attractive red that gives a first impression of great subtlety and restraint but delivers extraordinary power as demonstrated by its linear flavour profile and incredible length. Sweet fruit and ultra-fine tannins are interwoven to good effect. The texture is etheral and the finish bone dry. It's difficult to confidently identify the subdued red fruit, mixed spice, mineral and toasted nut flavours. Slightly dominant oak but bottle development will soon correct that imbalance." Bob Campbell.
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Fontodi, Tuscany, Italy
The Manetti family were terracotta producers for over three centuries and on turning to wine in 1968, Giovanni Manetti went for ultimate quality. "One of Tuscanys finest producers, Fontodi is a name readers can rely on for high quality wines." Parker
"Bright red. Vibrant raspberry and candied cherry aromas are strongly underscored by violet and vanilla. Juicy and dense on entry, then soft and creamy in the middle, with sweet flavors of red cherry, redcurrant, licorice and minerals. This wonderfully balanced wine finishes long and smooth, with enough ripe acidity to maintain its shape, and lingering mineral and peppery nuances. Beautiful wine."92/100 Tanzer
"Blackberry and dark plum aromas follow through to a full body, with silky tannins and a bright, fruity finish. There's a nice combination of bright fruit and clean acidity. 91/100 Wine Spectator
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Gisborne & Hawkes Bay - Other, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand
Due end of October. Book now. 94/100 from Bob Campbell who writes "Rich, dense red with a velvety texture and backbone of very fine tannins. Ripe berry and plum flavours with spice and classy oak. Great potential but accesible now."
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