Here are my tasting notes on wines tasted during April 2018 – Many thanks to all who provided samples for review.
Opawa Rose Pinot Noir 2017 Marlborough – Pretty salmon pink in colour, lovely florals and fresh raspberry notes on the nose, crisp acidity and flavours of summer berries on the palate with a dry finish – lovely mouthfeel from partial oak ferment. Gently chilled with smoked salmon! Spot on! 12.0% ABV RRP:$20.00 #nzwine
Anchorage Gewurztraminer 2017 Nelson Medium straw gold in colour, a soft & sweet floral nose of orange blossom and roses, leading into a spicy / fruity palate with lots of texture. 12.5 g/l RS but seems dry and fresh on the finish. Great Asian food wine!
12.5% ABV RRP:$18.00 #nzwine
Stunning 5 year old Cab Sav/Merlot from @churchroadwinery. Church Road Grand Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon / Merlot 2013 Hawke’s Bay Powerful wine – dark purple / violet in colour, huge nose of black berries, dark plums, spice and oak, layers of complexity on the palate with intense berry and plum fruit, really ripe chewy tannins, and an everlasting finish. The stunning Baby Tom! 14.5% ABV RRP: $45.00
Toi Toi Sara’s Rose 2017 Marlborough – Pretty salmon pink in colour with a fragrant nose of red berries and a hint of citrus. Fresh crisp palate with juicy berry fruit & citrus acidity, dry finish quite moreish / fresh / nice finish. Assume mostly Pinot Noir / Pinot Gris no indication as to components! 13.0% ABV RRP: $17.00 http://www.toitoiwines.co.nz/our-wines/toi-toi-saras-rose/
Spade Oak Vineyard Heart of Gold Rosé Tempranillo 2017 from Gisborne – Deep watermelon pink in colour with lots of sweet red berry / red lollies notes on the nose, a little spritz on the palate, smooth & creamy berry flavours off dry with a zesty acidity and a long moreish finish. A delicious and pleasant change from Pinot or Merlot based Rosés. 12.0% ABV RRP $23.00 https://www.spadeoak.co.nz/
Babich Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 Marlborough – Pretty pale salmon coloured wine with fragrant berries and stonefruit in the nose. 100% Pinot Noir, fresh citrusy acidity, a juicy palate of strawberry and cream, lovely balance of components – fresh and lively! Recommended! 12.5% ABV RRP: $20.00 https://www.babichwines.com/
Bohemian Wines ‘The Poet’ Pinot Gris 2017 – Hawke’s Bay NZ – Pale lemon coloured, lovely nose of green apple, stonefruit and a hint of spice, a crisp dry palate with fresh acidity, nicely textured mouthfeel – like biting into a juicy sweet but tart apple – great length – delish! 13.0% ABV RRP $22.00 More info at https://www.winebohemian.com/ #nzwine
Monday Mouthful… Trinity Hill “The Trinity” Red Blend 2014 Hawke’s Bay – Merlot Dominant with Tempranillo, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and others… Deep cherry purple in colour, a whiff of leather and dark plum in the nose, lighter bodied, with black and red currant flavours, complex, tetural with grippy ripe tannins great length. ABV 13.5% RRP NZ$23.00 #nzwine
Tuesday Tipple… Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2011, Hawke’s Bay – Deep purple in colour, this is a “big expressive” wine with black berry fruit, white pepper, oak & choccie notes on the nose, concentrated dark fruit, textural, fine tannins, soft acidity complex but balanced. Drinking beautifully at 7 years old. Elegant! ABV 13.0% RRP: NZ$35.00 #nzwine https://craggyrange.com/
Saturday Sip from @nockiespalette Nockie’s Palette 2016 Chardonnay. Made by Tim Turvey of Clearview Estate Hawke’s Bay – Deep golden hues in the glass, opulent nose of butterscotch, vanilla and pear, richly textured and complex palate of stonefruit, citrus acidity and oak, balanced with a creamy mouthfeel, dry as a bone – a real “old school” Chardonnay – Big Buttery and Bold – Love it!
14.0% ABV RRP: $59.00 https://www.nockiespalette.com/chardonnay2016
Linden Estate #Viognier 2014 Hawke’s Bay – Medium gold in colour, a sweet tangelo & apricot nose, lighter bodied, concentrated palate of apricot / stone fruit, a creamy mouthfeel with tart grapefruity acidity, long juicy finish – very nice indeed! 13.8% ABV RRP: $25.00 – #nzwine https://www.lindenestatewinery.co.nz/
Loveblock #SauvignonBlanc 2017 Marlborough – Pale straw with hints of green / gold in the glass. A lifted floral nose with stone & tropical fruit. On the palate lots of melon and stonefruit flavours, with softer acidity, textured, creamy, beautifully balanced and quite delicious. 12.0% ABV RRP: $22.00 #nzwine https://loveblockwine.com/our-wines/sauvignon-blanc/