A Mano Primitivo 2001
Tasted: August 2002
A wonderful discovery for us, Primitivo was long thought to be Zinfandel, but DNA profiling now shows then both to be offspring of the Croatian grape Plavac Mali. An earlier vintage of this wine (the '99 I think) was an International Wine Challenge of the Year, and the label has been garnering critical acclaim ever since. We now know why. Hailing from Puglia in the south, this new wave Italian is deeply colour, spicy, savoury, and earthy with touches of cherry/plummy accented fruit, this is just delicious.

Akarua Pinot Noir 2002
Tasted: October 2003
Another blockbuster from the superb 2002 vintage in Central Otago. This is a dense, powerful style Pinot with rich aromas of plum, wild mushroom and cherry. The palate is silky smooth and is drinking remarkably well now. There is good tannin structure, which suggests it will cellar well.

Alan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted: August/September 2001
Fresh and zingy this is classic NZ sauvignon with grassy and gooseberry notes. Definitely one of those long summer evenings.

Albert Belle Croze Herm 'Les Pierrelles' '99
Tasted: June 2002
This Northern Rhone syrah made the Top 100 in the US Wine Spectator Magazine. I don't think we can improve on their review! "Ultrathick and concentrated Croze, the liquid hangs on the inside of the glass as you swirl it. The wine has mineral, iron, wet earth, and ripe clean fruit characters that seduces, thanks to the sweetness of the whole package. 92/100"

Albert Mann Gewurztraminer 2002
Tasted: October 2003
Turkish delight, rose petals and spectacularly floral. This very elegant and intense style is what Albert Mann thinks Alsatian Gewurztraminers should be all about. After trying this you'll have problems arguing with the theory. Being from Alsace there are limited supplies of this wine.

Albert Mann Pinot Gris 2001
Tasted: June 2003
This is fantastic Alsace wine, very rich and ripe. Lots of stonefruit flavours with a sweetness that is not cloying, unctious with a finish that goes on and on. We had this recently with Chinese food and it worked well with all the different flavours.

Albert Mann Tokay Pinot Gris 2002
Tasted: September 2003
Wow, what a wine! This packs more flavours in the mouth than most wines dream about. The palate is pure stonefruit, leaning towards peaches and apricots. The finish goes on and on. Try it as a treat with duck breasts

Alexander Reserve Cabernet Merlot '01
Tasted: Christmas 2002
In amongst the sea of Pinot Noir wines planted in Marlborough lie a handful of dedicated producers with a passion for Cabernet based wines. Alexander vineyard was planted more than a dozen years ago, and vine age is certainly contributing to this wine. This complex and elegant wine has intense cassis and currant fruit, well balanced by fine tannins and deft use of new and used French oak. A fine expression of NZ Cabernet Merlot.

Alexandra Davishon Pinot Noir 1999
Tasted: February 2001
Rich and plummy with a supple mouth-feel and lovely cherry flavours. This has depth and persistence.

Allan Scott Chardonnay 99
Tasted: October 2000
Fermented in French Oak Barriques with partial malolactic fermentation. The fruit flavours are full melon and citrus with subtle oak enhancement.

Allan Scott Riesling 2000
Tasted: October 2000
Powerful citrus aromas with a hint of honey sweetness on the palate, finishing with a crisp acidity.

Allan Scott Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted: October 2000
Strong varietal aromas and full herbaceous fruit flavours.

Amarula Cream
Tasted: November 1999
A most attractive cream liqueur that is so hard for anyone approaching normal to resist. Made from wild berry fruit from the Marula Tree in Africa (so they say). It's nuttier in my opinion than other chocolate/coffee liqueurs, which is probably why it is better than others in the genre.

Amisfield Noble Riesling 2003 (375 ml)
Tasted: March 2004
There is only a small quantity of this sticky available as there was very little of it made. Taken from specially selected Riesling grapes grown on the Amisfield estate, it is both powerful and elegant, showing wonderful botrytis characters with sufficient acidity to balance the sweetness. Long term cellaring will be rewarded, and it also comes in a very stylish box. So, go on, treat yourself!!

Andrew Garrett Shiraz 1998
Tasted: August 2000
Full of peppery spicy characteristics that McLaren vale is famous for. Aged in American and French oak it has developed wonderful black cherry flavours.

Angas Brut Sparkling
Tasted: April 2001
Australia's best selling fizz and no wonder at this price. Fresh and crisp with a nice touch of toasty lees complexity. Great for weddings and parties.

Angoves Bear Crossing Chardonnay '00
Tasted: Christmas 2001
If you get past the 'cute' koala bear on the label, you will find a great little wine at a great price. Excellent complexity and length of finish for the money

Angoves Bear Crossings Chardonnay '00
Tasted: February 2002
We ran with this label very successfully before Christmas, and had plenty of good feedback from our customers. The wine has an excellent long finish, and it is a style that the Aussies do so well. Generous fruit at a sharp price.

Antinori Peppoli 1998
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Last year when we were in Italy, I purchased several bottles of this wine to consume with our pasta in the evenings. Wow this is a simply gorgeous wine, full of fruit, olives and Italy! Stunning wine one of the best in the shop and totally reliable. Why not try something different.

Antinori Peppoli 1998
Tasted: November 2001
Last year when we were in Italy, I purchased several bottles of this wine to consume with our pasta in the evenings. Wow this is a simply gorgeous wine, full of fruit, olives and Italy! Stunning wine one of the best in the shop and totally reliable. Why not try something different.

Arbiola L'Arbiolin Barbera 1999
Tasted: Christmas 2002
Hailing from the Asti region in Piedmont (Northern Italy). This bright juicy red is a delight. Match it with your next pizza or pasta and you really have a treat in store. Like many Italian wines, this one just lives for food. Take it along to the new Italian restaurant just due to open.

Ashwood Grove Cabernet Petit Verdot Malbec 2001
Tasted: September 2003
A wine with loads of character, very deep colour and a warm inviting nose of ripe blackcurrants and spice. The palate is generous with heaps of black fruit flavours and a chunky texture reminiscent of Bordeaux

Ashwood Grove Merlot 2002
Tasted: July 2003
Very rich and smooth with heaps of rich chocolate flavours. Great value and a nice change.

Ashwood Grove Merlot 2002
Tasted: October 2003
Another beauty from this Victorian producer. Concentrated yet delicate flavours of plums, raspberries and mulberries with a long finish. Excellent value for money.

Ashwood Grove Shiraz 2000
Tasted: April 2002
This wine featured in last month's newsletter, and which rocketed out the door faster than "a rat out of a aqueduct" (to borrow a line from Monty python). The rep has now sold his grandmother into white slavery to hold the price on this wine. He begs us to buy lots, so he can get her back!

Ashwood Grove Shiraz 2000
Tasted: February 2002
This is a wee ripper for the price! The bright purply red colour and lifted plum and berryfruit scents frame the richly flavoured palate. More plum and cherry notes with a touch of liquorice and vanilla lead on to a velvety finish.

Ashwood Grove Shiraz 2000
Tasted: March 2002
The rep has just been in, and after much arm- twisting agreed to maintain the special price on this wine for us. He tells us he's making so little on this wine, that he won't be able to send his children (when he has any) to private school any more. For our customers, this means a great little Shiraz at ab affordable price.

Ashwood Grove Shiraz 2000
Tasted: November 2002
Dense red, rich bouquet. Lots of concentrated flavours of plums and spice. A great mouthfeel, and a great finish. This wine has become our house red now because it is such a great bargain for Shiraz.

Ashwood Grove Shiraz Mourvedre 99
Tasted: October 2000
With Australian red prices almost constantly on the increase, we're always searching for well priced alternatives. This wine is chock full of spice and berryfruit and silky smooth. Dangerously drinkable as our (empty) sample would attest, and great value!

Astrolabe Chardonnay 1998
Tasted: February 2000
This is brilliant Chardonnay. Made by Simon Waghorn, proud maker of those fantastic Corbans PB chardonnays. This wine rocks and rolls with ripe sweet fruit.

Astrolabe Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: November 1999
Big fat rich Chardonnay made by Simon Waghorn. Peter has been judging with Simon this week and has twisted his arm into releasing the wine early for Munslow's clients only. It's bigger more powerful fruit than last vintage. It has a gold medal written all over it. We are unsure of the price but it will probably be under $25.00 .

Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Tasted: March 2003
Weighty wine with lovely length and tropical melon and lime flavours. Made by Simon Waghorn, this is one of Marlborough's finest.

Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Tasted: September 2002
Made by the talented Simon Waghorn, this is a classic Marlborough savy, lots of gooseberries and fresh mown grass on the nose, the palate is full and concentrated. Very rich and pungent. Some of the 2002 Sauvignons have tasted quite dilute with weak fruit quality...not this one though.

Astrolabe Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Tasted: September 2003
One of the new crop of sauvignon Blancs, and very impressive it is too. Made by the very busy Simon Waghorn of Whitehaven and Tohu fame. Ripe, sweaty characteristics are followed by the trademark lively, gooseberry and passionfruit flavours with a well-rounded finish. Get into it Dunedin.

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Benchmark Pinot Noir, and a personal favourite of mine for many years. The '99 vintage of this wine cleaned up recently at the International Wine Challenge in London, and got the nod as the No 1 in the competition. The 2000 is still rather young but already shows the same smoky bacon notes on the nose which is a Martinborough signature. More savoury and gamey than Central Otago versions, this wine has many splendid years ahead of it.

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted: November 2001
Benchmark Pinot Noir, and a personal favourite of mine for many years. The '99 vintage of this wine cleaned up recently at the International Wine Challenge in London, and got the nod as the No 1 in the competition. The 2000 is still rather young but already shows the same smoky bacon notes on the nose which is a Martinborough signature. More savoury and gamey than Central Otago versions, this wine has many splendid years ahead of it.

Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2001
Tasted: September 2002
I'm reminded of a line from a relatively famous song..."if you want it, here it is, come and get it, but you'd better hurry because it's going fast"! The new release of one of NZ's top labels has just arrived instore and goes from strength to strength each year. A study in restrained opulence; this is a wine that does need some time in the cellar to show its true finesse and breeding, and which has become an international benchmark for fine Pinot. Ata Rangi have more than a 15 year track record with Pinot and I've had the please of enjoying about a dozen different vintages over the years. A label that justifies the overseas hype for our Pinots. Try this on this week at Oliver's tasting.

Australis Romanov Baltic Stout
Tasted: May 2000
I have made a slight departure into beer tasting this month. From Galbraiths in Auckland, this is supercharged stout full of chocolate, malt and roasted barley aromas and flavours. Definitely not to be guzzled, this is a beer to be savoured.

Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted: October 2001
A label with a long track record, and once again it brings home the goods. Explosive nose which to me was honeysuckle and bubblegum (sounds unusual, but it really works), with eh classically zesty Marlborough palate. Marlborough Savvy at its freshest and most typical.

Balgownie Cabernet Sauvignon 1997
Tasted: April 2001
Bendigo and Heathcote (lying to the North West of Melbourne) have been gathering a lot of good press recently for their powerfully built and flavoured wines, yet Balgownie in Bendigo have been quietly going about their business for many, many years. With their intense cassis fruit, and firm tannin grip, the Balgownie cabernets are always an exciting proposition for the cellar.

Ballingal Estate Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: March 2000
Great drinking at this price. Top 10 cuisine under $15.00. You really can't go wrong with this one.

Bannock Brae Goldfields Pinot Noir 2001
Tasted: March 2003
Lovely new Central Pinot from Lake Dunstan. Well priced it has good depth of colour, a lovely fresh palate of black dawson cherries, warm and savoury. Great with duck

Banrock Station Ball Island Shiraz '98
Tasted: May 2001
One of the best buys in Cuisine reds under $15. Be in quick for the last of this lovely ripe vintage.

Banrock Station Sparkling Shiraz NV
Tasted: March 2000
How do they get this much flavour into a bottle for so little money. A drier style than the Andrew Garrett version and bursting with flavour. I had it recently at a small concert, where we paid with chocolate covered biccies. Yummy! (Mark)

Banrock Station White Shiraz 2003
Tasted: March 2004
A lovely summer wine which reminds me of rosehips. Anytime wine with a touch of sweetness. Take it to you favourite curry restaurant.

Barossa Valley Moculta Cab/Merlot '01
Tasted: October 2003
A well-known label to our regulars over the years, always known as a good quality wine. This is no different. It has a lovely soft tannin structure with rich, intense blackcurrant flavours.

Basedow Barossa Shiraz 1999
Tasted: March 2004
The silent Australian Shiraz for under $20 has roared! I had not had this wee beauty for a while, but was I impressed! A big gutsy Barossa style, with oodles of sweet berry flavours. Lots of spice, great tannin structure ad a delightfully long finish. If you are looking for a drinking buddy with a big steak- look no further-call Martijn!

Basedow Shiraz 1998
Tasted: July/August 2001
From the Barossa Valley, this has to be one of the best buys for under $20. Sweet berry fruit and a hint of spice reasonably full with well tuned oak. Drinking very nicely now, it's the ideal winter warmer.

Basedow Shiraz 1999
Tasted: July 2003
Powerful wine with plenty of everything. Very intense and powerful with rich oak, plum, cherry, herbs and spice. This very good Barossa wine begs for a roast of lamb.

Basedows Barossa Shiraz 1998
Tasted: Christmas 2001
One of my favourite reds in the $20 range. An intense bouquet of sweet berry and spice complemented by vanilla oak. Supple sweet berry fruit dominate the palate combining soft fruit tannins and oak to give perfect balance and structure

Basedows Shiraz 1998
Tasted: May 2001
Excellent Barossa Shiraz from a great vintage. Rich, ripe fruit with great length and persistence and a luxurious vanilla oak finish.

Beelgara Merlot 2002
Tasted: March 2003
Great value wine with ripe, rich plummy flavours. Very moorish. Great bbq wine. A steal!

Beelgarra Merlot 2002
Tasted: June 2003
Very vibrant Aussi Merlot with lots of plummy currant flavours. Great value. Try it with oxtail!

Benfield & Delamare Cabernet/Merlot/Franc 1999
Tasted: February 2001
This wine is exceptional; definitely one of NZ's best reds, with its sweet ripe fruit and wonderful balanced oak which brings a power and succulence not often seen in our reds. The blend is 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 5% Cabernet Franc. A Martinborough vineyard and available only in small quantities.

Benfield and Delamare 1998
Tasted: June 2000
Bill Benfield and Sue Delamare run this tiny winery in Martinborough, committed to making Bordeaux styled red wines, and using the traditional techniques of low trellising and high density planting, with low yields per vine. A merlot dominant blend in '98, this very elegant wine needs cellaring for several years to show its best.

Benfield and Delamare 2000
Tasted: March 2002
A real 'boutique' producer from Martinborough, and we have procured our tiny allocation for the year. This year, a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc with as always cellaring potential.

Benfield and Delaware Cab Franc '01
Tasted: February 2004
One of NZ's top producers of Bordeaux style reds. Supple and very elegant wine with concentrated cassis and red berry flavours. Has a long finish and promises to cellar for several years, but is approachable now.

Benjamin Museum Reserve Muscat 375 ml.
Tasted: February 2001
I love the Muscats and Tokays of Northern Victoria and this one is an absolute steal! Even 500 ml bottles now are routinely priced over $20 so this is remarkable. A nose of treacle, toffee, caramel, spices and more, and that velvety raisiny palate. Need I say more?!

Beresford Beacon Hill Shiraz 2002
Tasted: March 2004
I cannot say too much about this Aussi shiraz at the special price 10.75. This offers a serious mouthful of red at a great price. We have supplied this wine to several high profile functions in the last month, and guests have loved it and thought it was expensive - about $20!! Big 14% alc and choc full of plum and spice flavours and a great finish. Buy a case.

Beresford Beacon Hill Shiraz 2002
Tasted: October 2003
There's nothing better than finding a wine of quality that doesn't have a big price tag added to it. I was very pleasantly surprised to come back from holiday to find this wee bottle. I took it home and gave Laurie a blind tasting of it, and she thought it should retail at about $15-18. Being budget minded doesn't mean that you have to go without quality now. Big, rich red that's full of spicy plum flavours. It is an outstanding wine. Big with lots of fruit and huge weight at 14.5%. We enjoyed this wine with a fantastic steak from Estrick's Butchery

Blackridge Gewurztraminer 2001
Tasted: February 2002
Fresh, lively, just off-dry style Gewurztraminer with fairly high alcohol (13.5%). Good depth of lemony, apply and spicy flavours. Should be ideal for those long warm summer evenings, should we ever get one!

Bladen Riesling 1999
Tasted: February 2000
One of my favorites. Packed with nectarine and peach flavours in a medium-dry style. Another wine by Simon Waghorn (Astrolabe and Whitehaven).

Bladen Riesling 2002
Tasted: October 2003
This 2002 Riesling is just coming into it's own now. It's off dry in style with pear and mandarin flavours and a slightly honeyed character. Lovely stuff. Canterbury House 'Good Times' Chard '02 $12.55 From Waipara comes this excellent ' value for money' Chardonnay. This is a vibrant, fresh, fruit-driven style with soft, citrus and peach flavours. Ideal summer drinking.

Bodegas Castano Casa Cisca 1999
Tasted: September 2002
The Castano range from Yecla in Spain has introduced many of you to the monastrell (mouvedre) grape with all its lovely gamey, savoury aspects. In his homeland, Ramon Castano is now seen as producing reds, which are at the vanguard of quality for the region. The Casa Cisca comes from a tiny vineyard of old vines at high altitude, and has turned heads amongst Spanish wine writers. The major Spanish daily newspaper El Pais had this to say about the wine; "There is no stopping Ramon Castano on his irresistible climb towards the summit of Spanish winemaking. I became acquainted with this wine a few years ago when it was one of his projects. If at that time I was impressed buy its complexity and potential, now at its completion---still a slow and sustained process---in the bottle that impression is even greater. Regarding its 15 degrees of alcohol, which impedes it from carrying the banner of the D.O. Yecla and instead being modestly dressed as a 'table wine' not only do not get in the way, they support the muscular structure and nerve of a wine that is full of fruit aromas, wrapped in mineral tones, polished with spices, and is full of suggestive tastes and aromas that trap and carry to the farther side of oenology, to that place where the scant dozen of the best wines of the world camp" Carlos Delgado. 30 bottles only available in NZ.

Bodegas Castano Dominio Espinal '99
Tasted: May 2001
A blend of Monastrell and Tempranillo, and very similar in style to the Carchelo. Again great drinking for the money.

Bodegas Castano Domino Espinal Selection 1998
Tasted: October 2001
Joelle Thomson's "Under $15 Wine Guide" has reviewed the wine extremely well giving the previous vintage the prized STAR BUY. However Michael Cooper thinks the 1998 is even better with fabulous, luscious warm berry fruit. The length of this wine will amaze for a wine of this price. Perhaps with all the raras coming from across the ditch we will be seeing more from wineries such as this from the Southern European area. Made for drinking now either as an aperitif style or perhaps with a tomato based dish. Will also cellar for a few years, either way, enjoy.

Bodegas Castano Pozuelo 1999
Tasted: May 2001
This is the big brother to the Domino Espinal, but in this case Monastrell blended with Cabernet and Merlot. Sharing some of the gamey qualities, but with hints of plum and blackcurrant. An altogether more powerful wine, with more intensity, tannin structure and length.

Bollinger R.D. 1981 $212.95
Bollinger R.D. 1988 $144.95
Tasted: February 2000
Flagship wine from an immensely prestigious French Champagne houses. R.D stands for recently disgorged which means that yeast lees (sediment) is removed from the wine while the neck of the champagne bottle is frozen. Bollinger only make RD's in the best vintages and are released after a minimum of seven years of aging. The 1981 as an absolute classic, glorious yeasty nose with great intensity an almost over-powering fruit. Superb now or over the next few years. The 1988 is also a classic vintage. A very stylish wine with heaps of power and flavour and heavy yeast.

Bombay Sapphire Gin 1 Litre
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Just add Schweppes tonic and a twist of lemon on top of the ice and gin. A perfect way to end a lovely hot summers day especially if you're not into beer.

Bovlet Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tasted: Christmas 2001
One of the few South African wines in at the moment from Wellington in the Cape (really). Elegant, refined 100% Cabernet with fragrant fruit and soft tannins, good length and well-balanced oak.

Bowen Estate Shiraz 1996
Tasted: November 1999
Doug and Joy Bowen run one of the smaller wineries in Coonawarra in S.A. yet over a 20 year period have built up a solid reputation for the richness and consistency of their red wines. This '96 shiraz is no exception. Full of spice and cherry fruit characteristics, the higher acidity from the cooler region gives it a freshness which makes the second and third glass a pleasure. Drinking very well now, but should also reward a further 3-4 years in the cellar.

Breakneck Creek Shiraz 1999
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Great for the bbq cos it'll go with anything at any time. One of those wines that even if your guests aren't into reds, they'll still like this one.

Bremerton Cabernet 1998
Tasted: April 2001
An absolute treat, the Bremerton Cabernet is a mouthfilling, earthy wine with blackberry complexity. An outstanding example of Langhorne Creek Cabernet at its best.

Brook Cabernet 98 both
Tasted: October 2000
When these wines first arrived I was impressed with their generosity of flavour - I still am. They are rich and mouthfilling, yet not overdone and remain very competitively priced for that quality level. Over the weekend I discovered that they have both just won gold at the Liquorland Top 100 show, so it's nice to know that others agree with me.

Brookfields Cabernet 1999
Tasted: April 2001
Finally we find a great value NZ red with no herbaceousness and full muscular dark berry fruit aged in French oak. Great with lamb or beef.

Brookfields Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tasted: June 2001
We've managed to secure five more cases of the excellent Brookfields Cabernet reviewed in an earlier newsletter. One of Charmian Smith's 'Wine of the Week' choices in the ODT and a good call by her. Outstanding value for money in this Hawkes Bay Cab.

Brookfields Ohiti Estate Cab. Sauvignon '01
Tasted: August 2002
This classy Hawkes Bay cabernet was recently tasted at our wine club. Rich, smoky, blackcurrant aromas are followed by supple black cherry fruit and soft tannins with a hint of liquorice. Approachable now, but has some good ageing potential

Brown of Padthaway T-Trellis Shiraz 1999 16.15
Tasted: March 2002
concentrated, with lovely spice and berryfruit notes, and a touch of liquorice and pepper on the palate. This wine manages to be rich and deeply flavoured without being overly sweet and jammy. I think it's a star and frankly a steal at the price!

Brown's Sparkling Shiraz
Tasted: September 2002
I love this style of wine. Rich and spicy with hints of chocolate. A lovely wine on its own, or try it with chocolate pudding. If you haven't tried a sparkling red, try this for an occasion, I'm sure you'll be sold!

Brown's of Padthaway T Trellis Shiraz '99
Tasted: April 2002
It has been heartening to see that so many of you enjoyed this wine as much as we did so much so that we ran out before the end of the month! Another shipment is due in, so get in now. We have doubled our order, but have several forward orders from regulars, so don't delay. As an aside, the importer told us that the 2000 Brown's Cabernet is an absolute blinder!? Alistair and Peter have volunteered to join Mark in the arduous task of checking out the sample bottles. Watch this space for a report!

Browns Padthaway Ernest Shiraz '99
Tasted: September 2003
Very powerful wine with plenty of everything. Very intense nose with charred American oak, plums and cherries and spice. Huge dense flavour with some mint and massive sweet fruit. It's a cracker!

Browns T Trellis Shiraz 1999
Tasted: March 2003
The Browns T Trellis is one of those wonderful Shiraz that have come from this superb vintage. Packed with spicy chocolate flavours and a long finish. this will cellar happily for a few years if you can keep your hands off it.

Browns of Padthaway 'Ernest' Shiraz '98
Tasted: June 2002
The big brother to the very successful T Trellis Shiraz, and definitely a 'big' brother in every way. The nose offers chocolate, spice and brambly notes, while the palate is concentrated and complex. Like its kid brother, the oak is there, but not overdone, and while it can comfortably be called a massive wine, it shares the trademark of balance which has been the feature of all the Browns wines we have tried this far. Like its kid brother, it will comfortably cellar for another 5 years or more, but is stunning now...the choice is yours.

Browns of Padthaway Myra Cab Sav. 2000
Tasted: June 2002
We mentioned in the last newsletter that we were about to try a sample of this wine, and it looked so good that we shared this wine and its T Trellis Shiraz stablemate in the winter reds, where they both has a tremendous response. Like the Shiraz, it is just as damnably moreish. Lovely ripe blackcurrant fruit, seamless ripe tannins on the palate, a chocolatey richness and a silky finish. Nicely balanced and a wine that we feel offers excellent value for money. The Australian winepress suggests that Browns of Padthaway are a winery on the way up. On the strength of these two wines, we would have to agree.

Browns of Padthaway Shiraz 1999
Tasted: November 2002
Yes I know we have written this wine up several times over the last couple of months, and yes I hope you are not getting bored with reading it. But, it is so good. It's probably one of the most luscious, fruity Shiraz under $20 that I have tried on a long time. If you are still unconvinced, come to the first tasting for the newsletter and try for yourself. We will be offering a magnum with every caseload sold on the night of the tasting

Brut Zero
Tasted: Christmas 1999
Exactly what's called for lunches, afternoons around the lake or strawberries and schnapps to make the perfect Christmas aperitif.

Brut Zero
Tasted: November 1999
We at Munslow's have been raving about this Spanish sparkling since we opened 4 years ago and recently it got the top wine award for under $15 in Cuisine. Fine yeasty bubbly wine that will match all occasions.

Buckleys Shiraz 2001
Tasted: March 2004
A big, grunty South Australian shiraz. Buckets of plums, blackberries and chocolate. If you don't like them big, DON'T buy this. It's a monster.

Cabernet Sauvignon Toscana 'Mormoreto' 1997
Tasted: June 2001
"Big soft and rich, loads of crushed berry, blackberry and cherry aromas follow through to a medium-bodied palate with soft tannin and alight dried herb finish. Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet franc." 96:100 Wine Spectator Magazine. We managed to try this on our first evening in Florence fabulous restaurant with the most magnificent pasta with fungi sauce!

Cairnbrae Old River Riesling 2000
Tasted: July/August 2001
One of the Cuisine Top 10 Rieslings, and certainly an attractive wine. The ripe fruit edges more to the tropical end of the spectrum, with honey on the finish. There was a good response to this wine at the tasting.

Cairnbrae Pinot Noir 2002
Tasted: March 2004
This is an absolute bargain. Gold medal winning NZ Pinot at this price don't come around very often! I really enjoy this lovely wine with its intense cherry flavours. Try!

Camino Real Carmenere 2002
Tasted: March 2004
From the Cachapoal Valley in Chile, just south of Santiago. Carmenere is a very old French grape variety which has enjoyed resurgence in Chile in recent times. It is a full bodied red with rich berry fruit flavours and good tannin structure. An excellent food wine.

Cape Mentelle Cabernet 1998
Tasted: February 2002
This wine comes with an interesting story. The cellar door manager at Cape Mentelle was telling me that late last year a televised tasting had been organised in France to compare a range of Cabernet based wines from around the world with several of the top Bordeaux wines. Quite a number of top sommeliers from fine restaurants in Paris and elsewhere were invited along to try the wines blind, with the aim of trying to discern why 'new world' wines are gaining so much market share at the expense of French wines. At the end of the tasting a vote was taken as to No 1 pick of the wines. To the surprise of the locals, the almost unanimous choice of the top wine proved to be Cape Mentelle '98 Cabernet. This gorgeous wine is inky in colour, with layers of flavour and complexity, a mass of soft tannins and excellent length. While hugely proportioned, it is beautifully balanced and although eminently drinkable now, should give 10 years and more in the cellar.

Cape Mentelle Shiraz 1999
Tasted: July/August 2001
Louis Vuitton stands for money, class and excess, for instance: expensive luggage, perfume clothes, the America's Cup etc. Their interest also extends to wine. Their coup de gras are two of the best Champagne houses in France i.e Veuve Clicquot and Krug. Clicquot subsequently has strong interests in Cloudy Bay in New Zealand and Cape Mentelle in Western Australia. I have no doubt they have wine interests in America and Central America, but I don't know of them Like everything that Vuitton is involved in, this wine will not disappoint. It seems to me that there are some wineries where everything that comes from there is fantastic, and Cape Mentelle is one of them. I buy a few bottles of this wine and the Zinfandel each vintage. But like all good things some must come to an end. In the last year or so, our allocation of Cape wines (including the fabulous Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Merlot) have been steadily reduced. This is a wonderful complex, opulent wine with the most amazing berry, spice and white pepper flavours leading to a long unctious finish. Wonderful French oak (courtesy of Clicquot!) Great now or cellar confidently for up to 8 years.

Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2000
Tasted: April 2002
Mark tried this wine at the winery and was very impressed. This is a serious Shiraz with leanings towards Rhone rather than Eastern states. Slightly less feral than the 1999 release, but with wonderful complexity, balance and length and with finely integrated oak letting the fruit shine. As with all Cape Mentelle wines, this should be a serious cellaring proposition. Release date is towards the end of April.

Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2001
Tasted: April 2003
Just released and one of our favourites. Anything from this fantastic Western Australian vineyard is just supreme, it's just a shame that we get so little of the wines to hold in stock for more than a few weeks. This has the best of Old and New World styles with concentrated plum liquorice and spice with very fine tannins reminiscent of great Rhone reds. Very limited supply of this wine. A wine that you just can't go wrong with.

Cape Mentelle Shiraz 2001
Tasted: October 2003
We've managed to get hold of some more of this outstanding Shiraz. It's a powerful, weighty style with complex berry, spice and pepper characters underlain with chewy tannins. It is drinking now but time spent in the cellar would be well rewarded. A favourite of ours.

Cape Mentelle Trinders Cab Merlot '99
Tasted: June 2002
Originally begun by Mentelle many, many years ago as a slightly more forward approachable style from a separate vineyard than their standard Cabernet, the Trinders has evolved into a stand alone wine yet with that typical Mentelle feel to it. Finely tuned oak means that the fruit plays the leading role and the lovely briary and brambly notes on the complex palate lead to a wine which is very much in the W.A. mould, and the complete antithesis to the style of some of the brash South Australians. Drinking beautifully now, and I suspect a lovely food wine.

Carchello Mouvedre
Tasted: Xmas 2000
From Spain, soft and plummy, lovely fruit.

Carchelo 1999
Tasted: May 2001
A blend of Monastrell, Tempranillo and Merlot. This has been a regular on our shelves for many years with Michael Cooper visited this label as one of the best value imported wines on the market. The spice and savoury hints of Monastrell come through on this wine which offers great fruit and fantastic drinking at the price.

Carchelo 2003
Tasted: February 2004
Still great value Spanish red that blends Mouvedre and Tempranillo varietals. Lots of berry flavours with lovely earthy undertones. Great with lamb.

Carchelo Jumilla 2002
Tasted: October 2003
New vintage of this ever popular Spanish red. Made from a blend of Mouvedre (50%) Tempranillo (30%) and Merlot (20%) this red is velvety in texture, producing some delicious intense berry-fruit flavours, softened nicely by the presence of Merlot. A great wee wine in a drink young style.

Carchelo Mouvedre Merlot 99
Tasted: October 2000
Velvety smooth texture with intense berry aromas and flavours.

Carrick Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: August/September 2001
A new label from Bannockburn, and these guys were originally one of the Mt. Difficulty partners. Their first release this year, and the Chardonnay is more in a Chablis style. Steely, minerally, and with good acid. It should pair well with creamy sauces, to cut through that richness.

Carrick Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: November 2001
The first releases under the Carrick label have been made by Grant Taylor from Gibbston Valley. His skill and deft touch is evident in this wine. Tasted earlier in the year, this wine was flinty and minerally, and more reminiscent of a Chablis. With some months in bottle, the wine has put on weight and is now nicely layered with fruit, the mineral notes, nicely integrated oak, and a creamy palate. Another fine debut for this label.

Carrick Pinot Gris 2001
Tasted: November 2001
I must admit to having a major soft spot for the Carrick label as friends own the vineyard (originally part of the Mt Difficulty partnership). However, their first releases stand comfortably as fine examples of Central Otago wine. The Pinot Gris is a beauty, combining pear and apply aromas, while the pear and stonefruit flavours are pronounced on the palate with a lovely texture and mouthfeel. A great debut wine.

Carrick Pinot Gris 2002
Tasted: November 2002
The Central winemakers I have spoken to are very excited about the quality of their '02 wines, and I know that many of our customers have been hanging out for the first Pinot Gris releases. Carrick is one of the first to hit the shelves and the wine is looking great! I've tasted this wine as grapes in the vineyard, fermenting wine in tank, and three times in bottle, and it's just getting better and better, our allocation of this wine is limited so don't delay.

Carrick Pinot Noir 2001
Tasted: September 2002
I was really chuffed recently when they cleaned up in London at a Wine Magazine tasting, scoring top equal with the La Strada Fromm Vineyard in a review of 175 New World Pinot Noir. Noticeably bigger than their debut 2000 vintage, this release is deeply coloured, boldly flavoured with lovely cherry notes and with excellent tannin structure. A very fine example of Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Carrick Riesling 2002
Tasted: November 2002
A new release and still showing a touch of Germanic sulphur on the nose, which will integrate well with the crisp apple and citrus characters well balanced by a little residual sugar. Off-dry, this will be a very interesting wine to watch as it evolves in the cellar.

Carrick Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted: April 2002
Hallmark Sauvignon Blanc from Central Otago with notes of limes and gooseberries. Concentrated ripe, tropical fruit flavours of feijoa and nectarines.

Casa de Calcar 1995
Tasted: February 2000
We are getting a reputation here at Munslow's for having somewhat eclectic tastes in wine. Well here is one for the books. It is a Merlot form Romania. Dry and liquricey and firm tannins, but with good ripe fruit. After the bottle had been open for 3 days it still had excellent form. Try this one, but please not on me as a blind option!

Case Lapostelle Merlot 2001
Tasted: July 2003
This wine went down well at the vintage tasting last month. It is Chilean, but don't let this put you off that. Certainly many wines from Chile have received bad press for having a watered down effect, but don't count this one in that basket. It is a huge wine with subtle oak and spice with very plummy flavours. It reminded me of a left-bank Bordeaux

Castano Domino Espinal Selecion 1997
Tasted: July/August 2001
This Spanish wine is about to feature in Joelle Thomsons "Under $15.00 Guide" as her top star pick! Intensely fruited, warm and savoury with spice and oak undertones, and, finishing with firm tannins. Stunning value for money. Ole!!

Castano Domino Espinal Selection '00
Tasted: July 2003
New vintage of this popular Spanish red. A blend of Monastrell (80%) Tempranillo (10%) and Cabernet (10%), produces intense plum and cherry fruit flavours with undertones of spice and oak.

Castano Domino Espinal Selection 1998
Tasted: Christmas 2001
A standout Spaniard that we have run much of the year. Predominantly Monastrell (mouvedre) giving a spicy, savoury gamy red wine.

Castano Domino Espinal Selection 1999
Tasted: September 2002
The new release of another of our Spanish favorites and a label that has featured in Joelle Thompson's Under $15 and Under $20 guides. Primarily Monastrell (Mouvedre) and with a slightly wild gamey edge to it. With its good tannic backbone, it's a good food choice and how they continue to put it out at this price, I don't know. Just enjoy.

Castano Pozuelo Crianza 1999
Tasted: August 2002
New vintage of this excellent red from the Bodegas Castano. Made form a blend of Monastrell (Mouvedre/Mataro), tempranillo and Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine is dark in colour producing a pretty powerful wine, but surprisingly without the harsh tannins that you might expect from a wine of this ilk. Good fruit backed up with some toasty oak and a long lasting finish. Excellent value for money.

Castelgiocondo Brunello Di Montalcino 1994
Tasted: June 2001
The Castelgiocondo estate is locates south of Sienna near the hilltop town of Montalcino. Produced from a different clone of Sangiovese to that used in Chianti, the wine is given three years ageing in barriques, large oak, and stainless steel, before a further year in bottle. A very traditional, earthy style and a style that will last for years in the cellar. This wine was an absolute highlight of the visit to Frescobaldi last year. Montalcino Brunellos were a real find.

Cedar Creek "Super Special" Chardonnay
Tasted: November 2002
Our largest seller at a SUPER PRICE. We've managed to get a great deal and are passing it on. Buy a case for the summer BBQs. Great stuff. Usual price is 10.95

Cedar Creek Chardonnay 1998
Tasted: November 1999
Best value Chardonnay in the shop. It's rich creamy and balanced by oak chips which makes it very attractive indeed, particularly at this price. You won't be disappointed.

Cedar Creek Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: July/August 2001
Excellent value Australian wine. Full of peach, melon and citrus flavours with a nice touch of oak.

Cedar Creek Chardonnay
Tasted: April 2002
I keep trying to find a better drinking Chardonnay than this for under $12, but so far, no luck. Peach and melon flavours. Very ripe and fresh with a lovely touch of oak.

Cedar Creek Chardonnay
Tasted: Christmas 2002
Our No 1 seller. Why? Because it tastes as good as most Chardonnays that are twice this price. Buy a case or two especially at this price.

Cedar Creek Chardonnay
Tasted: February 2000
Best value chardonnay in the shop. Lovely toasty flavours and nice ripe fruit. A steal! Coopers

Cedar Creek Chardonnay
Tasted: June 2000
Lyn and I consume a lot of this wee beauty. Toasty and rich. Buy before the price goes up (Bound to with the NZ $ the way it is!).

Cedar Creek Chardonnay
Tasted: May 2000
Back in stock. This wine has quite a following, not surprisingly, as it is the best buy in the shop. Fantastic quaffer for parties and other social occasions.

Cedar Creek Chardonnay
Tasted: Xmas 2000
A favourite. Big bold and buttery. Heaps of flavour.

Cedar Creeks
Tasted: March 2003
As good as it gets at this price.

Chambers Muscat/Tokay
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Only thing to match Christmas pudding and Mark Scorgie's Gourmet Ice Cream Christmas Pudding ice-cream! Parker Jr scored these at 96/1000 and writes "these are some of the world's greatest wines". Life is too short not to drink these over Christmas

Chapoutier Cotes du Rhone Belleruche 2000
Tasted: September 2002
The trio of vintages 98-00 has been extremely kind to the Rhone, and we have enjoyed some fabulous wines from the area. Debate goes on as the which vintage is the finest in the south, '98 or '00, and on the showing of this wine we would be inclined to lean towards '00. Bright ruby purple in colour, a nose redolent of spice and berryfruit, fresh, but with touches of savoury earthy characteristics so common to the Rhone. Nicely structured and just a pleasure to drink. An interesting winery with a sense of integrity and community spirit with their labels printed in Braille, and has the bio-grow label for organically grown wine.

Chapoutier Croze Hermitage Les Meysonniers 1999
Tasted: Christmas 2002
The Chapoutier house is one of the larger producers in the Rhone Valley in France. They have vineyard holdings in (as far as I know) all the major appellations of both the Northern and Southern Rhone, along with joint venture vineyards in Australia. 1999 was fantastic vintage in the Northern Rhone showcasing what Syrah can do in a great year. From its deep colour through the rich nose of savoury grilled meats and wild herbs, onto the spicy palate with a light touch of oak, this is an excellent example of "Shiraz with a French twist".

Chapoutier Shiraz 1998
Tasted: November 1999
"Tall and tanned and young and lovely" this Rhone styled shiraz has huge amounts of spice, white pepper, which combines the best of the top Rhone wines with the best of Australian shiraz. This is simply gorgeous. You could be forgiven for double-taking at the $50 plus price, but compared to wines of this quality from both Australia and France, why quibble. We tried this for the first time with a degustation meal at the Ridges in Queenstown where we put it up against some stunning French and Australian wines, and it was for me the top wine of the night. I had very high expectations of this wine and it certainly did not disappoint. The texture and quality of the fruit underlining the opulent oak treatment stunned me. Cellar this confidently for 10 years or so. Peter tried this at the judges' dinner and everyone there including both overseas judges voted it the wine of the night. Impressive stuff.

Chard Farm Finla Mor Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted: July/August 2001
Chard Farm winemaker, Duncan Forsyth, presented an extremely impressive range of Pinot Noirs at his tasting last month. The Finla Mor is Chard's second tier Pinot (second to the Bragato) and this was Alastair's favourite of the three. It displays great complexity with strong cherry and raspberry flavours balanced out with a hint of oak. It is drinking nicely now, but will no doubt benefit from some further bottle ageing.

Charles Melton Barossa Shiraz 1998
Tasted: April 2001
Possibly Australia's best. Voted No 1 by UK's Wine Magazine. Penfold's Grange was in 2nd place, followed by Henscke's Hill of Grace. Very rich, ripe with dark spicy plum fruit and an explosively long finish. Very limited!

Charles Wiffen Merlot 2002
Tasted: February 2004
An excellent example of Marlborough merlot. Fresh and crammed with fruit. It's a full coloured wine with vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours and a long finish.

Charles Wiffen Riesling 2003
Tasted: February 2004
Another fine riesling from the Charles Wiffen stable. Made in an off-dry style, it has refreshing lemon and lime flavours with a touch of honeysuckle and clean, crisp acidity. Perfect summer drinking.

Charpoutier Mt Benson Shiraz 1999
Tasted: October 2001
Australian Shiraz made by a French winemaker. Charpoutier have set up three joint arrangements in Australia (two in Victoria, and this one in South Australia), with the Mt Benson Shiraz and Cabernet being the first fruits of the union (forgive the pun). Perhaps not surprisingly, nose is more reminiscent of the Rhone, i.e. rather than Australian berryfruit there are more earthy nuances rather than overt complexity. A lively wine that has you keen to have an extra glass. As a special we are clearing the last of the 98 of this wine at the same price. Another retailer brought it in and retailed at $49.95, so is a bargain now.

Charvin Chateauneuf du Papes 2000
Tasted: June 2003
Very limited amount available. The 2000 vintage in the Rhone was fantastic and this is highlighted in this superb wine. Complex yet elegant wine with a palate that really packs a punch. Hints of forest floor and mushrooms on the nose with flavours of white pepper, cassis and currants. Beautifully integrated with a finish that goes on and on.

Charvin Cotes du Rhone 1998
Tasted: August 2000
This wine was produced in a fantastic hot vintage in the Rhone valley. This is a mini Chateau Neuf du Pape, a style that I love. Gorgeous wine made of mainly Grenache and Shiraz grapes packed with ripe spicy fruit, yet made in an elegant feminine style (compared to the huge robust masculine Australian shiraz). Will be available from early August.

Charvin Cotes du Rhone 2000
Tasted: Christmas 2002
From a fantastic vintage in the Rhone Valley, this Grenache based red really struts its stuff. Modern in style with lashings of fruit, and a smoky oak component. Stylish and suave (can we say that about a wine), and very, very French.

Chateau Gaudrelle Vouvray 1999
Tasted: April 2001
Another French Chenin for those of you who are feeling experimental. Perhaps more earthy than the Marc Bredif, and a hint more of the classic French 'barnyardy' aromas and flavours. Another very good example, and a label that I have in my cellar.

Chateau Rieussec (Sauternes) 1997
Tasted: February 2001
As a vintage for red Bordeaux, 1997 was just so so, however the later harvested wines from the Sauternes and Barsac have turned out to be very good indeed. Since obtaining a majority interest in 1984, the Domaines Baron de Rothschilds have propelled Rieussec into being consistently one of the top half dozen wines of Sauternes, with excellent cellaring potential. This wine should be cellared to 2005, and then drink very well for a further 20 years. Definitely a very special treat.

Chenin Blanc 2000
Tasted: November 2001
Along with winewriter Michael Cooper, our clients know this as one of New Zealand's great wine buys. Very ripe, full of pineapple and honey. A steal!

Chivite Coleccion 125 Reserva 1996
Tasted: September 2002
Judging by how much we've sold, very many of you have taken rather a liking to the Gran Feudo Reserva which we have in stock. Well, whereas the Gran Feudo is the cheeky young upstart of the Chivite family, the Coleccion 125 is definitely the refined elegant big brother, more than the happy to show off his superior breeding. Crafted by Bodegas Julian Chivite, who incidentally took the trophy for the best Spanish Producer at the International Wine Challenge, this wine is a blend of 70% Tempranillo, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet, and the equivalent of a Gran Reserva. Spanish labeling laws dictate five years ageing for a Gran Reserva: two in oak, and three in the bottle, whereas Chivite have given them 19 months in oak, and four years in bottle. Densely coloured, deep and brooding with forest floor and blackfruit notes on the palate, this is a hugely complex wine, rich and elegant on the palate with fine silky tannins. While gorgeous now, this wine will reward 5-8 more years in the cellar.

Church Road Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: June 2000
Great balance between spicy oak and citrus fruits. A classy wine with rich complexity with ripe fruit.

Cimicky Daylight Chamber Shiraz 1998
Tasted: March 2000
A classic hot Barossa shiraz. Rich robust and powerful, the wine has plenty of spicy black pepper and cherry fruit and balanced perfectly with vanilla oak giving it an extraordinary complexity.

Claddagh Merlot 2001
Tasted: March 2004
This is the first release of their Martinborough Merlot and it is a stunner. Darkly coloured and highly concentrated with plum and prune flavours and a gamey/savoury character nicely balanced with a good helping of oak. Magnificent stuff!!

Claddagh Pinot Noir 2001
Tasted: April 2003
Just arrived at a pretty reasonable price (for pinot noir!), and with a gold medal at the Air NZ show. A fine example of Martinborough pinot from a very small producer. It impresses with its fragrance and finesse rather than sheer size. Fresh and vibrant, strong cherry plum and spice flavours and excellent complexity. This is great value.

Clarendon Hills Australis 1999
Tasted: October 2001
Roman Bratisjuk (the winemaker) has unashamedly gone for the most super concentrated Shiraz he can make, and in overseas markets it is seen as the most serious contender to Grange supremacy.

Clifford Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Tasted: March 2004
This is a very impressive single vineyard wine with classic capsicum gooseberry aromas and a very smooth intense finish. Great with fish. Fiddlers Green Riesling 2003 18.85 Top gold medal winner from the Waipara area in Canterbury. I enjoy medium style rielings more than the dry styles, especially in their youth and this wine is made in that style. It has lots of peach and nectarine flavours with overtones of lime. It has lots of elegance and balance and will cellar for 3 years, but is lovely now.

Clocher Cote de Rhone Villages 2002
Tasted: February 2004
French Rhone wines offer great value and a change from big Australian shiraz's. Great food wine with hints of plums and white pepper. Try with beef casserole.

Clos De Clocher Vacqueyras 1998
Tasted: July/August 2001
Vacqueyras was originally part of the Cotes du Rhone Villages appellation, but followed in the footsteps of Giogondas in seeking, and being awarded its own Appellation Controlee. Like Gigondas, these are more serious wines that the general Cotes du Rhone; rather more like a baby Chateauneuf du Papes. From an excellent Rhone vintage, this wine will stand some cellaring, or can be enjoyed now with food.

Clos Des Papes Chateauneuf du Papes 2000
Tasted: November 2002
This is an estate that will be known to many of you and under the guidance of father and son team Paul and Vincent Avril, has become one of the leading lights of the appellation. A blend of 65% grenache, 20% mouvedre, 10% syrah and 5% counoise. The thing that struck me about this wine was the silkiness across the palate. It manages to combine power and finesse, and while enjoyable now should probably have a drinking window of 2005-2020.

Clos du Pape Chateauneuf du Pape 2000
Tasted: September 2002
Yeh hah, Clos du Papes back. If you want to impress someone who's really into their wines, then this will do just fine. Chateau Neufs are one of the most approachable styles from the Rhone area, making complex wines that are made to cellar. Very feminine luscious stylistic wines compared to the Hermitage styles. Spectacular wine with aromas of Asian spices, black cherries, raspberries and cedar. The palate has lots of muscle, richness and moderate tannins, very powerful and long. Will cellar well, good value for a GREAT wine.

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: July/August 2001
Winemaker James Healy loves to experiment with wild yeasts and different techniques to try and make a truly Burgundian wine and it certainly shows in this wine. Mouth-filling and muscular with savoury citric mealy flavours. Lees ageing adds to the complexity.

Cloudy Bay Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: March 2002
Very complex and very French. All the bells and whistles with wild yeast fermentation, great fruit concentration and a huge finish. Reeks of class! Has been made to cellar well for up to 5 years or so, which is great for a NZ Chardonnay, but is wonderful drinking now.

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 1998
Tasted: March 2000
Cloudy Bay has given up on their Cabernet/Merlot wine. And is now expanding their red wine energies on Pinot. Ignore the Cloudy Bay hype's this is a great wine. Supple, very complex, and likely to blossom with age. Not as dirty on the nose as the '97, but there are hints of that forest floor characteristic there. (Mark)

Cloudy Bay Pinot Noir 2001
Tasted: June 2003
Technically another fantastic wine produced under the Cloudy Bay label. The 2001 vintage was grown in the lower Brancott and Fairhall districts of the Wairau Valley. A good powerful nose with real mint and raspberry. A medium bodied wine with savoury flavours and a ripe supple palate. This wine will cellar for 3- 5 years.

Cloudy Bay Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted: November 1999
The most well known NZ Sauvignon Blanc, it leaves the most wonderful zesty flavours in the mouth. Full gooseberry and passionfruit characteristics make this a classic in its style and are very distinctive of the Marlborough region. One of the few that you can guarantee to cellar for a few years. Be in quick with this, as it is always in huge demand.

Collard's Rothesay Chardonnay 97
Tasted: Xmas 2000
Normally $27.95, wonderful bottle aged wine. Gold medal.

Collards Blakes Mill Chardonnay 1998
Tasted: March 2000
One of the best value NZ chardonnays on the market. The 1998 is a great vintage for this wine. A mouthfilling style with fresh vibrant melon flavours with a long finish. Fantastic value.

Collards Blakes Mill Chardonnay
Tasted: May 2001
An oldie but a goodie. Great NZ Chardonnay at this price. Bruce Collard has been consistently making fantastic Chardonnays for years

Collards Chenin Blanc 1997
Tasted: November 1999
Ripe pineapple fruit characteristic with fabulous background hints of honey. Refreshingly crisp with natural acidity. This seriously has to be the bargain of the month. Michael Cooper gives it 5 stars and refers to it as a classic.

Collards Chenin Blanc 1998
Tasted: March 2000
One of my favourite New Zealand wineries. Patriarch Lionel Collard is such a humble and knowledgeable man, has been a friend since an Australian trip in 1982. Bruce Collard has been a huge support and mentor for me with my judging, and a wine-maker that I have an immense amount of respect for. The 1998 is the best vintage yet, with wonderful apricot and honey flavours. Drinking superbly now. A great alternative to chardonnay and sauvignon. A steal at this price. Previous vintages have cellared superbly for 3-4 years, and there is no reason why this won't too.

Collards Chenin Blanc 1999
Tasted: May 2001
One of Michael Cooper's best ever buys. Rich, vibrantly fruity wine with great depth of tropical fruit, pineapple flavours and a long, slightly honeyed finish.

Collards Chenin Blanc 2000
Tasted: Christmas 2002
Winewriter Michael Cooper's chosen house white in a previous copy of his Buyers Guide to NZ Wines. Rich and vigorous with lovely apple/lemon flavours plenty of weight and fruit. A steal!

Collards Chenin Blanc 2000
Tasted: September 2002
Back in stock and as good as ever. This is a rich, vibrantly fruity wine. we can't not include it because it is such good value and will be perfect for the bbq.

Collards Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: April 2003
Outstanding value for this sumptuous chardonnay. You could be forgiven for thinking that this would carry a $25 price tag. Fermented and matured in French oak, this is a full-bodied wine with peach and grapefruit flavours, nicely integrated with subtle use of oak. Tremendous stuff!!

Collards Pinot Noir 1997
Tasted: Xmas 2000
Was $23.95, fresh and lively with lovely cherry fruit.

Collards Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted: April 2002
Was $23.95, our newsletter super special price is only 15.95, and this is the last at this amazing price Lovely wine, full of cherries and spice. Buy a case...its only 12 bottles, and it never lasts as long as you think!

Collards Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted: February 2002
Elegant fragrant wine with gentle tannins and soft cherry spice flavours. We were able to get hold of 6 cases before christmas, and it lasted 2 days instore. We have a few more cases this time, but at the rate it disappeared last time, don't delay, as it will be the last at this fantastic price. A steal!

Collards Queen Charlotte Pinot Noir
Tasted: April 2003
The last of this very good value pinot. I bought a case, what else is there to say.

Collards Queen Charlotte Riesling '96
Tasted: June 2000
We have managed to get hold of a few more cases of this wonderful bottle-aged Riesling. Packed with citrus flavours and a touch of honey. This would be an excellent example to put in your cellar so you can see (and prove the theory) that NZ Rieslings do change over time.

Collards Queen Charlotte Riesling 1996
Tasted: August 2000
Wonderful to be able to buy an aged riesling. This has lovely development now with gorgeous citrus fruit.

Collards Queen Charlotte Riesling
Tasted: March 2000
A gorgeous wine which reinforces my love of riesling. Lemon/lime citrus notes, a touch of kero on the nose and a long lingering finish. Crisp and dry should prove to be very food friendly. (Mark).

Collards Queen Charolotte Pinot 97
Tasted: October 2000
A more Burgundian style pinot with savoury strawberry flavours and hints of mushroom and forrest floor. Lovely drinking now.

Collards Rhine Riesling 1996
Tasted: Christmas 1999
Bruce Collard held some of his 96 riesling back in order for the consumers to have a wine with a few years cellaring. It has developed wonderful honeyed characteristics but still with a touch of acid to ensure it will last even longer.

Collards Rothesay Chardonnay 1998
Tasted: June 2001
We've done a great deal directly with Collard's. This fabulous top of the range Chardonnay is normally $28.95, and from the very good 1998 vintage, it makes great buying. The wine has great weight, with ripe peachy, citrus and nut flavours. Drinking superbly now.

Collards Rothesay Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Collards flagship white wine is a powerful, generous wine with strong, ripe grapefruit and peach flavours with a hint of nutty oak. This is a substantial wine and will keep for 2-3 years, no problem

Collards Rothesay Chardonnay 97
Tasted: October 2000
Pale gold in colour, a forward early maturing wine for enjoying now. The toasty oak compliments the tropical fruit and leads on to a rich, buttery palate.

Collards Rothesay Sauvignon Blanc 1998
Tasted: March 2000
Complex sauvignon made with full malolactic fermentation and aged in French oak. It is lush, ripe and slightly honeyed.

Collards Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted: April 2002
Another super buy. 4 stars in the Michael Cooper's Wine Guide. Lots of tropical fruit and gooseberry flavours.

Collards Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted: Christmas 2001
There isn't a lot around in under $15.00 let alone under $13 for a top flight Sauvignon. Real passionfruit flavours with this wine.

Collards Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted: February 2002
Very classy wine at a great price. Partially French oak fermented adds a touch of complexity. Still very fresh and lively for a 2 year old Savvy.

Collards Summerfields 2002
Tasted: April 2003
A blend of chardonnay, chenin and sauvignon, this unlikely blend is full of tropical passionfruit flavours. Great value drinking from a top winery.

Collards Summerfields Dry White '00
Tasted: May 2001
A great quaffer. A blend of mainly Chardonnay and Chenin with a hint of Sauvignon Blanc. The grapes were just to good to sell.

Commissioners Block Shiraz 2002
Tasted: February 2004
This is a new label made at the Roberts Estate winery in Victoria. They have managed to produce a shiraz with plenty of blackberry and spicy pepper flavours and a touch of soft plummy fruit. It is pretty easy going and very drinkable and represents excellent value for money.

Confrerie 2001
Tasted: March 2004
The Girardin family have been producing fine Burgundy for 11 generations in the Cote de Beaune from the commune of Santenay. The Clos de la Confrerie has vibrant raspberry and blueberry aromas and is medium bodied. It's wonderful character reveals cherries, violets and blueberries with real opulence and an abundance of fruit. This will drink well over the next 3 or so years. Vincent Girardin Maranges 1er Cru Clos de

Cooks 1998 Chardonnay
Tasted: Xmas 2000
Cancelled export order. Good fruit, excellent if you don't like lots of oak.

Cooks Chardonnay 1998
Tasted: August 2000
A super deal. This wine has lots of pineapple fruit and nice toasty oak. This wine is exclusive to Munslow's and for that reason we have been able to secure this fantastic price. A cancelled export order makes this a super, super deal. Buy 12 bottles @ $10 a bottle.

Corbans Amberly Riesling 1996
Tasted: November 2001
A famous old name in NZ reislings, and one that is sadly no longer made. We managed to source a little stock of this, and it is a wonderful example of mature bottle aged Riesling. Citrus and kero notes on the nose leads to the toasty creamy palate and a long finish. A fine example of the rewards of cellaring.

Corbans Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: February 2002
Rated in the Top 10 Bargains by Cuisine Magazine. Great melon flavours with not too much oak. Great drinking now.

Corbans Huntaway Chardonnay 1998
Tasted: March 2000
Peter Campbell wrote this after trying a few bottles of this wine. Golden in colour, heaps of tropical fruit on the nose and the palate complimented by lots of caramely oak characteristics. This fantastic Chardonnay is a gold medal winner and a steal at $16.95. Enjoy.

Corbans Private Bin Chardonnay 1999
Tasted: Christmas 2001
Trophy winner and 'Wine of The Show' at the recent Air New Zealand Show. This like many of it's predecessors is a stunner much like the classic 1991 and 1994. Buy now and put in the cellar for a year or so. It won't disappoint.

Corbans Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted: August 2000
Packed with tropical fruit and gooseberries. Another great buy.

Corbans Select Marl Chardonnay '98
Tasted: August 2000
A gold medal winner, this is a complex elegant wine with layers of peach, apricot and toasted oak and a rich creamy palate.

Corbett Canyon Zinfandel 1997
Tasted: August 2000
The (few) blockbuster Californian zins that we get our hands on are now topping the $50 mark, so it is nice to be able to source a zin which is more affordable. With its cherry like nose and palate, this is an opportunity to try a grape variety which California calls its own. The interesting bottle shape could prove handy to those who chilli or herb infuse their own olive oils over the summer.

Corbett Canyon Zinfandel 1998
Tasted: July/August 2001
The new vintage of this wine has just arrived in store, and at the price it offers a cost-effective introduction to this Californian grape varietal

Coriole Lalla Rookh 1997
Tasted: February 2001
87% Grenache, 13% Shiraz. Absolutely delicious. Plummy and raspberry/berry characteristics with earthy richness from old vines.

Coriole Lalla Rookh Grenache Shiraz 1997
Tasted: May 2000
Every time I try this wine I am incredibly impressed. Complex flavoursome wine aged in French oak with delicious sweet red berry and spicy plum characters. Fantastic

Coriole Shiraz 1998
Tasted: February 2000
Rated very highly by James Halliday in his latest book, this has been a favorite at our place for a while. It has wonderful cherry, plum and mint flavours that means putting down the bottle hard. Be careful with whom you share this one with!

Coto De Hayas Garnacha Centenaria 1999
Tasted: May 2001
I featured the baby brother of this wine (the Tinto Joven) in the last newsletter. This is the big fella, one hundred years old plus and their low yields give a wine of great concentration with (like the Onix) a hint of the burnt/baked character from the hot climate. Probably needing food, and something a little robust than tapas.

Coto De Hayas Tinto Joven 1999
Tasted: April 2001
This is a great little modern styled wine from Spain. Coming from the Campo de Borja region, the winery (Bodegas Aragonesas) is utilising a combination of traditional Spanish varieties as well as 'international' varieties such as Cab Sav. This wine is a blend of, Cabernet Sauvignon Tempranillo and Grenache creating red berry fruit flavours on a caramely chocolatey finish. Great value.

Coto de Hayas Crianza 1998
Tasted: Christmas 2002
This feisty little Spanish wine has proven to be a huge hit with our customers. A mix of Garnache (Grenache) and Tempranillo has given a spicy richness with excellent weight and depth of fruit. Outstanding.

Coto de Hayas Crianza 1998
Tasted: July 2003
Back in stock, this is wonderful Spanish red and a great seller. Complex, elegant yet concentrated, great pasta wine.

Coto de Hayas Crianza 2000
Tasted: September 2003
Coto de Hayas has produced another lovely wine here. The same style and flavours as the earlier Crianzas with a blend of grenache, tempranillo and cabernet sauvignon. The vintage may have changed but not the quality.

Coto de Hayas Fagus 1999
Tasted: March 2003
There's a long story behind this wine; involving the Swiss, a dry river bed, chorizo sausage, and a dachshund called Colin, but I wont go into it here. If you do want to know more, Go to the Spanish tasting later this month! Ted Money is both irrepressible and utterly passionate about his range of wines, and it would be worth the price of the tasting just to try this stunning wine! 100% Grenache (Garnacha) and rated by the major Spanish wine mag Penin as the finest Grenache wine EVER to be made in Spain. Impenetrable colour, fantastic perfume, stunning purity of fruit, amazing complexity and length, and yet finely balanced and dances on the palate. A serious wine, and a serious proposition for the cellar. PS: The wine is actually a blend of the 98\99\00 vintages.

Coto de Hayas Reserva 1996
Tasted: March 2003
This is a seriously good wine at a very reasonable price. 100 percent garnarcha sourced from old vines, aged for 15 months in American oak, then aged for a further 30 months in the bottle prior to release. The resulting wine is powerful with concentrated cherry and plum flavours backed with spicy oak.

Coto de Hayas Rose 2002
Tasted: March 2003
We have just received another delivery of this very popular rose. It represents extremely good value for money. Made from tempranillo and Garnacha (Grenache) it is fairly light, crisp and dry with lovely sweet strawberry flavours. Ideal for those warm summer evenings.

Cranswick Grenache 1996
Tasted: February 2000
This wine is a wee surprise in a bottle. Gutsy with fine tannin and oak. From New South Wales.

Creek Hawkes Bay Riesling 1999
Tasted: February 2000
Coopers Creek claim to be have been awarded the most medals and trophies than any other small winery. This riesling is simply gorgeous. It's luscious with fruit and flavours abounding.

Crossroads Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: July/August 2001
We've reduced this in price and it now represents excellent value for its quality. Richly fragrant, very intense, mealy and complex with vibrant lush fruit shining through.

Crossroads Reserve Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted: April 2002
A ripper of a Pinot from Hawkes Bay of all places. Full of cherry and spice flavours. Very dense and concentrated. We really liked this wine.

D'Arenburg 'The stump Jump' '99
Tasted: November 2001
D'arenburg must have someone whos fulltime job is to conjure up unusual names for their wines! Nothing unusual about the wine though. Lovely aromatics with a touch of spice lead on to a soft and warming palate with a lot more complexity than you'd expect from a wine at this price. A grenache shiraz mix with style. Excellent wine.

Daniel Le Brun NV
Tasted: June 2002
Big yeasty, crisp full style dominated by Pinot Noir. Rich, biscuity flavours abound with good complexity and length. Classy stuff

Daniel Le Brun NV
Tasted: September 2003
Toasty and highly flavoured bubbly with a yeasty nose. Fresh and crisp with mealy, biscuity flavours showing complexity and good length. This Pinot Noir dominant style shows real class and finesse. Still one of NZ's top sparklers.

Daniel Schuster Twin Vineyards Pinot Noir 2002
Tasted: February 2004
A great buy for under $30! Plum, berryish and savoury notes are all evident. A fine example of a Daniel Schuster wine, with depth and character yet with the hallmark elegance of a classical food wine.

Danzante Merlot 2000
Tasted: Christmas 2002
Danzante is the product of a partnership between the Mondavi family in California, and the Frescobaldi family in Tuscany. Grapes have been sourced from vineyards in Sicily, giving lush ripe fruit. Lovely aromatics of spices and mulberry flow on to a mellow supple palate. Drinking well now, or even yummier with food.

Dashwood Chardonnay 2002
Tasted: July 2003
Vavasour's second-tier Chardonnay was produced from grapes grown in the Wairau and Awatere Valley's in Marlborough. It is a drink-young style with fresh, vibrant melon and citrus fruit flavours nicely backed up with a subtle use of oak.

Dashwood Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted: October 2001
Made by Vavasour, yet not a second wine so much as an alternate label made in a fresher, more approachable style than the Estate label. A consistent medal winner year in year out typifying the Marlborough style with its bold nose. And flavours of gooseberry, cut grass and sweet capsicum.

De Bortoli Chardonnay 2000
Tasted: March 2002
Cuisine Top 10. Stylish Aussi Chardonnay. This has all the qualities of a much more expensive wine. Rich and complex with spicy oak and lovely tropical fruit flavours.

Dennis Cabernet 1998
Tasted: March 2002
I hadn't tried this for some months now, and the lads raved about this after last week's wine tasting, so I had to retry it for myself. Although the lads drank this with a hefty steak, we managed this with a Poppas pizza (cos nobody does it better than Cranzgots...RIP and yes we still miss them). Moving on... the tannin has settled considerably now making for a more balanced wine. That's pretty much what Peter Dennis (winemaker/owner) thought would happen with this. He assured me that it was made for the long haul, and I would have thought that would be somewhat of an understatement. It's 3 years old, and is still a youngster. This wine really oozes blackcurrants, spice and subtle vanillin oak. For me, McLaren vale is as good for Cabernet as anyone.

Dennis Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tasted: February 2001
Classic McLaren Vale Cabernet. Elegant, yet very rich. Packed with blackcurrant fruit, this is excellent wine. Still underpriced. It's slightly lower on the alcohol volume, which is nice for a change. That means you can actually drink several glasses and still be standing to appreciate the flavours. Buy a case. I have!

Dennis Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Tasted: September 2002
We were thrilled to see the new Dennis wines when they arrived recently. We recently showed these at a Wineclub and Charmian Smith writes "for my taste-buds the best value, with its delicious red fruit, savoury, almost meaty flavours, fine structure, velvety tannins and long finish".

Dennis Grenache 1998
Tasted: February 2001
Not your everyday sweet raspberry Grenache. Many Grenache are aged in the bottle only without seeing a lick of oak, but not this beauty; it's been aged for 12 months in American and French barriques. This has buckets of depth and flavour with very aromatic fruit on both the nose and palate. Will cellar well for up to 5 years.

Dennis Shiraz 1997
Tasted: February 2000
Impressive McLaren Vale winery. Full of spice and American oak, this is more than a mouth full. This works superbly with lamb. Will cellar well for about 5 years.

Dennis Shiraz 1997
Tasted: May 2000
We hadn't tried this for about a year, so decided to give it a bash recently. We were thrilled to see it had come on so much. Whereas last year, the wine had shown an abundance of fruit, the oak seemed clumsy. Now the wine has integrated beautifully with the fruit. The wine is reminiscent of those fabulous Hunter Valley Shiraz (which always took a few years to mellow out) wines that went out of fashion in the '80's when the market pushed for up-front, full-on fruit. Check it out with pasta, steak or late-summer roast vegies.

Dennis Shiraz 1998
Tasted: February 2001
Excellent Shiraz with already complex sweet berry flavours and lifted spice. Very deep colour and lush concentrated palate. Very Rhonish rather than the jammy style of Shiraz. Halliday has given this wine 4 stars, but I would add at least another 3/4. Superb. Cellar for 5 years now. Buy!

Dennis Shiraz 1998
Tasted: July/August 2001
As most of you know, Munslow's imports Dennis, Maxwell and Temple Bruer wines and I submitted this and the Lime Cave (see below) to Cuisine mags Best of the Bunch column. Bob Campbell gave both wines 5 stars and 93 points. He wrote; "rich McLaren Vale Shiraz with 'old vines' at a 'young vines' price. Plum, chocolate, mocha, cherry and tobacco were noted. Big cuddly, complex wine." Like the Lime Cave only small quantities are left, so order now.

Dennis Shiraz 1998
Tasted: May 2001
McLaren Vale makes some stunning wines and this is one of them. Rich and elegant, packed with cassis, spice, liquorice and plums. Very highly rated in Australia; 5 stars Cuisine (next issue); 5 stars Peter! BUY

Dennis Shiraz 2000
Tasted: September 2002
From the 2000 vintage onwards, winemaker Peter Dennis has basket-pressed his fruit to give extra depth, colour and flavour. Charmian thought this wine has "huge boysenberry flavours and toasty, spicy oak".

Dog Point Pinot Noir 2002
Tasted: March 2004
Scented and mouth filling with very good depth of flavour. Red berries and plums on the palate. Tightly structured and complex. Tasted more French than kiwi. Very good. Made by James Healy and Ivan Sutherland, ex Cloudy Bay.

Dog Point Section 94 Sav Blanc '02
Tasted: March 2004
My style of savy, made with all the bells and whistles e.g. oak treatment, malo, lees stirring. A funky. Wine in the nicest sense of the word. Weighty, complex wine with quince, limes and a touch of gooseberries.

Dom -- Monferrato DOC Rosso 1998
Tasted: August 2002
Top of the range, this wine is an experience to be had. Like the 1999 vintage 1998 had an exceptional season. The Barbera makes up only a third of the volume, the rest being made from 33%Cabernet Sauvignon and 33% Pinot Nero (a clone of Pinot Noir). Like the La Romilda the grapes are picked from vines that are almost 60 years old and aged in small French oak barrels. This is definitely up there with Gaja, Sassacia, and Tignanello but at half the price. I have no doubt at all that this will cellar well for at least 10 years.

Domaine Andre Brunel Cotes du Rhone 1996
Tasted: June 2000
A meaty Grenache/syrah blend from the Rhone in France, and a world away in style from the more confected Australian style. Spice and game, with wild herbs, and that hint of French barnyard character. Drinking beautifully now.

Domaine Charvin Cotes du Rhone 2000
Tasted: September 2002
Made from 35-year-old vines, this is a gorgeous soft, supple wine with heaps of berry and spice that lasts well on the palate. Parker rates this well---89- 92, which is great, for a not heavily priced Cotes du Rhone. Like most wines form this area, the predominant grape varietals are Grenache, Syrah and Mouvedre, although the appellation control allows for a further 21 varietals able to be blended.

Domaine Schlumberger Gewurzt Cuvee Fleur
Tasted: October 2000
The nose on this Alsation wine is just amazing. Full throttle rose petals, jasmine and lychee lead on to a fat oily palate, which is almost tropical fruit. Big enough to take on a fiery Thai curry and still come out on top.

Domaine de Gerbaud Cotes de Luberon 1999
Tasted: April 2001
I don't have a copy of Peter Mayle's 'A year in Provence': at hand, but if my memory serves me correctly, he lived in the proximity to the Cotes de Luberon. If his was a modern look at Provence, then this is a modern expression of Provencal red wine. Rather New World in its bright fleshy fruit, this is a mouthfilling wine with style and interest.

Domaine de La Vielle Julienne Chateauneuf du Papes 2000
Tasted: November 2002
Under the guidance of its owner Jean Paul Daumen, this Domaine (which has nothing to do with finely sliced carrots) has been crafting more and more compelling wines, and taking the eye of Robert Parker. Rating it 92-94, he suggests fabulously ripe black raspberry and cherry fruit intermixed with floral notes. Due to its low acidity and incredibly ripe fruit, he feels that it will drink well young, but last for 15-18 years.

Domaine de la Janasse Chateauneuf du Papes 2000
Tasted: November 2002
The Cuvee Chaupin is a step up from the standard brew. Deeply coloured and super concentrated, this is a big wine, but well balanced. Sweet, ripe and supple in texture, with fantastic length, this wine should drink well for 15 years.

Dopff and Irion Gewurztraminer '02
Tasted: March 2004
For those of you who like a drier style, with less alcohol (about 13%) this wine may suit you. Intensely perfumed with excellent length. Was voted by our wineclub on the top 3 tasted on the night. Great with Asian food

Dow's 10 year-old Port
Tasted: July 2003
As winter settle in, grab a glass of this luscious tawny, settle by the fire with a bowl of nuts and enjoy! One of life's treats. Very nutty, rich and complex.