New Releases

2009 Te Mata Zara Viognier

Te Mata Winery, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Since 1995, Te Mata Estate has pioneered New Zealand’s production of viognier, a rare white grape from France’s Rhône Valley. Fermented in barrel, it displays the floral, white peach and honey characters found in the fi nest examples of this entrancing variety. Zara is affectionately named after Zara Buck, the fi rst born child of the third generation of Te Mata Estate’s Buck family. Zara spent her childhood playing amongst the vines at the vineyard which is home to this delightful viognier.

2008 Mount Dottrel Central Otago Pinot Noir

Central Otago - Other, Central Otago, New Zealand

After the 2007 vintage was voted "Worlds Best Pinot Noir" at the prestigious 2009 International Wine and Spirit Show in London we have been eagerly awaiting the 2008 release- and we've got a major deal on it. Elsewhere this will sells at $35 plus. With the superb Carol Bunn making the wine and the Diceys ( well renowned in Central and major shareholders in Mt Difficulty ) as viticultural consultants all the ingredients are there. "Elegant wine with a striking nose of cherry and spice flavours. A charming Pinot Noir with a silken texture and lengthy finish." Another gem from this label.

2008 Pyramid Valley Calvert Central Otago Pinot Noir

Marlborough - Other, Marlborough, New Zealand

Seriously limited from the Calvert Vineyard in Central. The 10ha site has three of NZ's leading wineries making their pinot from it with Felton Road and Craggy Range being the other two. ( Its situated 500meters away from Felton Block 3 and 5 ). "Previously at Nelson's Neudorf Vineyard, Mike Weersing has produced a remarkably restrained, very smooth, perfectly balanced, highly perfumed and complex wine." N.Z.Herald. Why not buy all three pinots from the Calvert Vineyard and examine how three of NZ's finest pinot producers each handle their fruit.

2007 Mt Difficulty 'pipeclay' Pinot Noir

Mt Difficulty, Central Otago, New Zealand

Mt Difficulty's very limited single vineyard pinot noir- sublime

2007 Craggy Range 'Le Sol' Syrah

Craggy Range Vineyards, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

The highest scoring syrah (96/100 ) in Parkers Wine Advocate in the latest NZ tasting. Parker rates a wine that scores 96-100/100 as 'An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of its variety. Wines of this calliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase, and consume." They write- "The 2007 Le Sol Syrah is very intense, almost introverted on the nose, closed compared to the Block 14 but the palate is full-bodied with immense chewy tannins, real weight and concentration but good acidity. Huge grip, pure black cherry, cassis and plum but velvety and caressing on the finish. Iron first/velvet glove etc. Unreal. Drink over 5-15 years." 96/100. Also Geoff Kelly writes - "This is the highest score I have given to a New Zealand wine" . For a very well regarded reviewer like Geoff Kelly to write this after tasting thousands of NZ wines you know this is a must have wine.

2009 Felton Rd Elms Chardonnay

Felton Road, Central Otago, New Zealand

2008 Peregrine Central Otago Pinot Noir

Peregrine, Central Otago, New Zealand

Always a consistent , terrific value top line pinot from Central with last years vintage winning 6 Gold Medals- this years looks equally exciting already winning a Gold at the Sydney Top 100 and Cuisine writing "Peregrine's goal is to offer excellent value and great consistency. The winery delivers on that promise yet again- this fleshy Pinot carries the fruit purity, depth and spice for which the label is known." The 2008 growing season was long with above average temperatures providing the perfect conditions for producing a classic Central Otago Pinot Noir. The fruit is from Central Otago sourced from the Cromwell basin and Gibbston sub regions.

2009 Peregrine Otago Sauvignon Blanc

Peregrine, Central Otago, New Zealand

Peregrine's back to their best after now sourcing all their sauvignon fruit from Central Otago. Grown in the Cromwell Basin and Gibbston districts. "This Peregrine wine captures the intensity of Central Otago's mid-summer rays- vivid green gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours come with a weighty, upright, edgy texture. Salmon steaks with green salsa would do nicely." Cuisine

2009 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Viognier

Craggy Range Vineyards, Gisborne & Hawkes Bay, New Zealand

Available 1st April. Book now and go into the draw to win a luxury weekend for four at Craggys Ranges beautiful cottage situated at the winery in Hawkes Bay. (Everybody who puchases this wine by the end of April goes in the draw). Old french oak and whole bunch pressing were used to achieve one of New Zealands best viogniers. "Pale straw colour flecked with silver and bright yellow hues. Lemon, honeysuckle, pistachio and chalk dust characterise the aroma. The rich, warm palate is tempered by a fine line of fruit phenolics to provide length and structure. This Viognier finishes with a luscious peach flavoured kick."

2009 Astrolabe Awatere Sauvignon Blanc

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!