Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
May 2000
Like us the weather conditions in '98 were very kind
to Australian winemakers, and this is being
emphasised as more of the reds arrive in store. The
Mamre Brook Shiraz has impressed me for its sheer
drinkablity. A classic Barossa wine that combines
intense fruit, a silky palate, and simply are very, very
moreish wine. (Mark)
Saltram Mamre Brook Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
March 2004
Always a good wine with lots of fruit, cherry, mint and
white pepper overtones. Rich with good structure.
Will cellar well.
Saltram No 1 Shiraz 1996
Tasted:
February 2000
Top of the range for Saltram, this wine is full,
rich and solid. The wine takes no prisoners.
Excellent fruit, firm tannins and fabulous
American oak makes this an excellent proposition
for the cellar. This is one of the classic Barossa
wines that will fetch a few more pennies than you
paid for, if you cellar it well and for about 10
years. Excellent vintage.
Saltram Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
June 2003
Back in stock at an even better price and as good as
ever. Blackberry drives the nose while the palate has n
interesting savoury, berry flavours which fills the
mouth, try with lamb.
Sanctuary Riesling 1999
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
The residual sugar makes this an impressive riesling. It
is just off-dry (which is how I personally like my
Rieslings). This gives
the wine more fullness on the palate which balances the
fruit well.
Sanctuary Riesling 1999
Tasted:
February 2000
A whisker off a gold medal. Medium style with
great stonefruit flavours - ideal for warm summer
days when they finally arrive.
Sanctuary Riesling 2000
Tasted:
February 2001
Always great value never fails to win a medal. Made
in a medium-dry style with lovely peach flavours.
Great quaffing for a summer afternoon watching the
cricket.
Sanctuary Riesling 2000
Tasted:
June 2001
Another beauty with a rich floral bouquet. The palate has
loads of stonefruit and heaps of rich, ripe passionfruit
flavours. Drinking well now.
Sanctuary Riesling 2000
Tasted:
October 2000
Vibrant citrus aromas with luscious tropical flavours
in an off dry style. Crisp and refreshing perfect
aperitif wine.
Sanctuary Riesling 2000
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
Vibrant citrus aromas with luscious tropical flavours
in an off dry style. Crisp and refreshing perfect
aperitif wine.
Sanctuary Riesling 2001
Tasted:
June 2002
This wine has achieved something that most
winemakers can only dream of.... A medal in every
wine show it has been entered into. It is full of ginger
and intense stone fruit. It's like biting into a fresh, ripe
nectarine. Just this thing to remind you of late summer.
Sanctuary Riesling 2002
Tasted:
August 2002
The trickle of new vintage releases threatens to become a
flood at this time of year, and it's always a juggling act
as to what space will allow us to carry in store. However,
the Sanctuary Riesling unquestionably earns its space in
the shop. The price has been held again this year which
makes it more and more of a bargain and invariably this
wine goes on to notch up gold medals. Bright and zesty
in its youth, and offering great drinking as it gains a little
bottle age, this is very stylish and affordable drinking.
Sanctuary Riesling 2002
Tasted:
September 2003
One of the best buys in the shop, with two
gold medals to its name. a medium style
packed with stonefruit and citrus flavours and
a long delicious finish. Great lunch wine.
Sanctuary Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
Excellent sauvignon from Grove Mill winery. Full of
pungent passionfruit flavours.
Sanctuary Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
February 2000
The best sauvignon on the shop in this price
range. You can't go wrong. Great on a hot day
while playing petanque.
Sanctuary Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted:
February 2001
Classic Sauvignon Blanc with melon and gooseberry
flavours with good intensity and finish.
Sanctuary Sav Blanc 2002
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
No run down on Sav Blanc would be complete
without mention of Sanctuary. Made by the Grove
Mill winemaking team, this is year in year out one
of the top value wines out of Marlborough. Fresh
and fruit driven with zingy gooseberry cut-grass
and citrus notes with a crisp finish.
Sandalford Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
July/August 2001
Sandalford is possibly less well known than some of
the West Australian elite, but nevertheless, is a
producer of high quality well priced wines. It has
blackcurrant and raspberry fruit with leafy touches,
great balance good depth and length and nicely
balanced oak and tannins.
Sandihurst Riesling 1997
Tasted:
August
2000
Lovely lemon-lime citrus flavours with a nice
touch of bottle development. Still able to be
cellared for a couple of years yet.
Sandihurst Riesling 1997
Tasted:
May 2000
Fabulous drinking full of lemon and lime flavours
which have developed complexity with bottle age. A
great buy.
Sandihurst Riesling 1997
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
Great drinking Canterbury riesling with lovely
developed flavours. Enjoy or cellar for a year.
Santa Carolina Reserve Merlot 1997
Tasted:
July/August 2001
We seem to have focused quite a bit on the Spanish
speaking wine world recently, and here's another. A
good bright colour, lightly oaked, and with a fruit
driven palate hinting of plum and prunes. This Chilean
merlot has a little maturity, so is drinking well now.
Santa Isabel Bonarda 2002
Tasted:
February 2004
Bonarda originates from Piedmont, Italy and is a
variety that is widely planted in Argentina. This is
a reasonably full-bodied red with black cherry
and plummy fruit flavours that combine nicely
with the soft tannins. Try it with some lamb or
game dishes.
Santa Isabel Chard/Viognier '02
Tasted:
February 2004
Argentina is now producing and exporting wines
of high quality and is a region that is gaining
greater popularity throughout the world, and this
Chardonnay/Voignier blend is a good example of
why.
Fresh mandarin and peach aromas lead to a
palate of apricot and peach fruit flavours with a
touch of nuttiness. Made in an off-dry style, well
worth a punt.
Sassicaia 1998
Tasted:
April 2002
Can't say that we have tried this, but international media rate this as the best or near to the best from Italy.
Made in Piedmont area from Cabernet grapes and traditionally in a Bordeaux style. One for the cellar or
for adding to the auction to make a few dollars in a few years.
Schlumberger Cuvee Fleur Gewurztraminer 1998
Tasted:
April 2001
Many of our customers with a bent for Gewurz
have enjoyed the previous widely available
vintage of this wine: the '94. Widely perceived as
the leaders of Gewurz, the Alsace region in
Eastern France specializes in the aromatic
varieties, with Schlumberger being a well
established house with a fine reputation for
their rich, fat, oily and very aromatic
Gewurztraminer. Pair it with duck liver pate for a
perfect match (its duck shooting in a another
month or so, so good timing to try them).
Staatliche Weinbaudomane Ockfener Bockstein
Seaview Shiraz 1996
Tasted:
November 1999
The bargain in the red wine department. Rich
mouthfilling with distinctive spicy characteristics
and balanced by soft oak tannins and subtle oak.
Another McLaren Vale wine!
Seaview Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
November 2001
Vibrant ripe plump fruit balanced by toasty oak.
Remarkable value for money. Ideal for the BBQ.
Seaview Sparkling Methode
Tasted:
November 2001
A jolly good drop and a great buy for parties, bbqs
etc. tastes twice the price!
Seifried Old Coach Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
April 2001
Rich and refreshing lime and melon
characteristics with gentle oak maturation.
Seifried Pinot Noir 200
Tasted:
March 2002
Soft cherry and strawberry characters dominate
this fairly light style Pinot. It's a buoyant wine
that is firmer and more deeply flavoured than
past releases. Well priced and worth cellaring
for a year or two.
Selaks Drylands Pinot Noir 1999
Tasted:
June 2000
The Drylands range is one that I have found to be
very consistent over the years; consistently good
and good reasonably priced. The Pinot offers some
budgeting relief for those of you keen on this style
but struggling with an inclement bank balance. A
supple little number with a bit of substance, at a
sharp price.
Selaks Drylands Riesling 2000
Tasted:
Christmas 2001
Lovely citrus blossom aromatics are a great
introduction to this fabulous Riesling. A hint of
honey adds to the long, long finish. Drink now, or
cellar with confidence.
Selaks Drylands Riesling Dry 2000
Tasted:
February 2001
I love Rieslings, they seem such a wonderful style of wine for the summer .if we ever get one! The Australian
wine writer James Halliday rated the '99 version of this wine as the best NZ Riesling of the vintage, and I have
no doubt that the '00 is equally as good. Certainly not searingly dry; it has heaps of lemon and citrus notes,
with that touch of honey, and a fresh crisp finish. Lovely on its' own or great with lighter summer meals.
Selaks Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 1998
Tasted:
November 1999
Soft, full-bodied wine bursting with fruit. A gold
medal winner at the Royal Easter Show earlier in
the year and more latterly at the National Wine
Show in Canberra. This is certainly a pleaser and
well worth seeking out. The 1999 Sauvignons have
gone up in price, as have most wines internally and
locally, so this makes exceptionally good buying for
such an excellent wine.
Selaks Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
One of the most awarded Sauvignon Blanc from this vintage.
Single vineyard wine which for some reason always seems to
produce the goods. Ripe, rich, herbal and tropical fruit
characters. A Marlborough Savvy at its best.
Selaks Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted:
February 2001
Top wine in Cuisine. Bob Campbell writes "old
vines may explain the impressive concentration.
Strong passionfruit, guava and mineral flavours. Will
age" Buy now, there is no more!
Selaks Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted:
Christmas 2001
Another gold medal in marvellous form for summer
drinking. Fresh, crisp and zesty. Magic stuff.
Selaks Drylands Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
Always in our top picks, classic Marlborough savvy, full of gooseberries and capsicums. This wine has a
richness that many sauvignons are lacking in so many of the 2002 wines.
Selaks Founders Reserve Syrah 2002
Tasted:
October 2003
From the top range of Selaks wines, this Syrah is big and gutsy with wonderful earthy characteristics. Only limited amounts available, so be quick
Selaks Marlborough Chardonnay 1999
Tasted:
May 2000
Gold medal wine at this price is hard to find. Subtle
oak and malolactic fermentation with citrus and melon
flavours make this incredibly drinkable.
Selaks Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted:
July/August 2001
There is always a lot of intense interest surrounding the
release of the first new vintage wines, and the first
couple of '01 Savvy are now in store. During these cold
winter nights, here's a chance to drink a glass of
Marlborough sunshine. Vibrant, crisp and zesty - a
memory of the summer that's gone, and hints of the
summer to come.
Selaks Premium Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted:
April 2001
Due to the very limited supply of this gold medal
wine we can only promise first in first served
with this.
Selaks Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Tasted:
August 2002
If ever the sunshine in a glass analogy was appropriate
then this is it. During these cold gray wintry days, this
wine comes as a blast of summer sunshine. One of the
early '02 releases on the market, and quite frankly, yet
another magic vintage of this perennially over
performing label. Crisp, fresh, zesty: everything you
expect of a Marlborough Sauvy, yet unlike many of its
competitors, this wine remains fairly priced and widely
available. A wine to be enjoyed again and again.
Seppelt Original Sparkling Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
Seppelts have been the flagbearers of sparkling red in Australia, and also take the admirable step of giving
the wine some bottle age before release. Rich and seductive, age has given a touch of 'forest floor'
complexity to the wine. Try pairing it with the Xmas turkey for a match made in heaven.
Seppelt Show Reserve Muscat
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
Paul Wright finished his tasting this month with this
sweetie. Gorgeous, succulent and the thing to have with
Christmas cake.
Seppelt Sparkling Burgundy 1995
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
Great with the turkey. Big rich and spicy.
Serafino Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tasted:
November 2001
Trophy at Top 100. I love it. My mate Kingsley
Wood says "Totally, absolutely, unbelievable,
delicious". I agree.
Serafino Shiraz
Tasted:
June 2002
Lots of white pepper on the nose. Heaps of spicy fruit
on the palate with gobs of sweet fruit that lasts and lasts
on the palate.
Seresin Pinot Noir 2002
Tasted:
March 2004
This wine recently was awarded 5 stars by Michael
Cooper. It is a very sophisticated, multi-faceted wine
with flavours of cherries, raspberries and smoky oak
and a rich chocolaty finish. Cellar for 2 years with
comfort and see how it develops.
Sevenhill Dry Red 1997
Tasted:
August
2000
At 14% plus alcohol, this wine is a big bugger.
Heaps of spicy fruit, with lots of plum, and cassis
flavours. This would a great match for venison or a
juicy steak.
Sevenhill STM 1999
Tasted:
April 2003
This is also a vineyard that we haven't seen much of
lately, but is held fondly in our minds. Sevenhill is
owned by the Jesuit Society and a national icon. Do
you remember the Sevenhill Dry Red that we used to
sell heaps of a few years ago? Well here it is again, no
change in the wine, except that it is now labelled with
the varietals that make up the blend i.e. shiraz, touriga
and malbec. It's made from old vines, and is a
powerful well structured wine packed with flavour.
Sevenhill Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
April 2001
Sevenhill Shiraz has always been one of my favorite wines and is a wine that I always add to
my cellar. The 1998 is an outstanding Shiraz, and the Sevenhill will reflects the fantastic
vintage in the Clare Valley. The wine is almost opaque with a deep crimson purple colour,
which clings to the glass leaving a film of mauve. The nose is superb, youthful blackberry fruit
aromas are layered by aromas of black pepper, plum and liquorice. The palate is every bit as
the colour suggests, with globs of concentrated blackberry and plum flavours, overlain with
spice and pepper. The finish is very persistent with pepper and liquorice flavours. The tannins
are fine grained and provide a structure that will develop over the next 10 years or so. I think
the 1998 Sevenhill Shiraz is an outstanding red with great cellaring potential and is exceptional
value for money.
Sevenhill Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
May 2000
Many of our regular customers have bought earlier
vintages of this wine, and eagerly await each new
release. The '98 version is as big as ever, with the
eucalypt character of the Clare Valley. Pop it in the
cellar, or partner it with a rare steak. (Mark)
Sevenhill Vintage Port 1987
Tasted:
June 2002
It's not quite winter yet, due to this autumn weather,
but some cooler nights and crisp mornings herald the
time of year that fortifieds come into their own.
Sevenhill will be well known to many of our regular
wine buyers, as the oldest continually working winery
in Australia, and like Mission vineyard in Hawkes Bay,
is run by a monastic order of brothers. Big rich and
distinctive.
Shingle Peak Merlot 1998
Tasted:
June 2000
Don't overlook this excellent Marlborough Merlot
and head straight for the Aussi section. You will be
delightfully surprised. Lovely spicy plum flavours
and gentle soft tannins. Great value +++
Shingle Peak Merlot 1998
Tasted:
March 2000
Vibrant ripe and spicy merlot with a rich palate and soft tannin
finish. A bargain.
Shingle Peak Pinot Gris 1999
Tasted:
August
2000
Strong well ripened
flavour of peaches and exotic fruits and spice with an almost
imperceptible sliver of sweetness adding to its appeal. Nice change
from Riesling and Chardonnay. Great value with good cellaring
potential. 14% alc.vol.
Shingle Peak Pinot Gris 2002
Tasted:
April 2003
Shingle Peak (Matua Valley) were one of the first big
companies to release a better than average pinot gris
in sufficient quantity that it was readily available to
the market, and I believe this wine helped set the
scene for pinot gris in New Zealand. We tried a 1995
Pinot Gris from Shingle Peak in January, and
unfortunately it had started to fade (but still holding
up), however considering it was the first vintage I
think they did extraordinarily well to last that long.
This wine is made in a medium dry style, very fresh
and vigorous with excellent depth of peachy, vanilla
flavours and a long persistent finish.
Shingle Peak Pinot Noir 1999
Tasted:
August
2000
Matua Valley's Marlborough label has always been
a source of good honest wines that you can rely
upon to provide great fruit, yet without having to
take out a mortgage. This is another of the new
crop of entry-level pinots, that Marlborough is
beginning to do so well. You can enjoy this while
saving up your pennies for the boutique Central
Otago and Martinborough producers.
Shingle Peak Pinot Noir 2002
Tasted:
April 2003
Finally the wine industry is listening to the customers
and coming up with some reasonably priced pinot
noirs. This is the best pinot yet from this label. Full in
colour, fresh, and mouthfilling and supple with
excellent depth of raspberry, plum and a touch of
cracked pepper, with subtle oak adding complexity.
Will unfold well over the next 2 years.
Sileni Cellar Select Chard 2002
Tasted:
March 2004
One of my favourites because in spite of being full
barrel fermentation, it is not apparently oaky. Lots of
lovely lemon and lime flavours, with a touch of
butterscotch and excellent depth with a long finish.
Very good value.
Sileni Cellar Selection Chard 02
Tasted:
July 2003
Peter's favourite chardonnay. Lovely, lightly oaked,
fantastic fruit
Sileni Late Harvest Semillon 375 ml.
Tasted:
July 2003
This went down a treat at a recent wineclub tasting.
Lovely rich pear and honey flavours. Sweet and rich,
but not cloying. Try with poached pears. If you want
to be extravagant, poach the pears with a cup of
this!
Sileni Merlot Cabernet 2000
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
Sileni is a no expense spared winery in Hawkes Bay
owned by the Avery family. Any of you with a
(very) long memory, might recall our first part timer
Chris Keyes, Chris is now assistant winemaker at
Sileni (having learnt his craft from Peter Robertson
at Brookfields). The winemaker is the very talented
Grant Edmonds and he's certainly put together a fine
package here. Very much in the Bordeaux style, this
is not a sweet and simple fruit bomb. Taut, elegant,
and opening up in the glass, this wine combines its
complex plum, smoke and blackcurrant notes with
fine-grained tannins and a long finish. A keeper for
the cellar, or with richer meat dishes in its youth.
Sileni Semillon 2002
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
We don't see too many varietal Semillon from NZ
these days, but Sileni are one winery who takes this
grape very seriously. More in the Bordeaux style
with its lemony citrus, tropical fruit and nuttiness,
this has a creamily textured palate and nice
complexity. A nice change.
Spencer Hill Coastal Ridge Chardonnay '01
Tasted:
November 2002
Trophy and gold at the top 100. A gorgeous drop from
Nelson. Elegant and complex with a lovely hint of
complex leesey flavours and great fruit. I like the fact
that the oak stays nicely in the background.
Spy Valley Merlot 2001
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
Another of the Spy Valley range to turn our heads
(starting with their awesome Pinot Gris and followed
by the Savvy), this gold medal winner at the Air
New Zealand awards is dense rich chewy, with plum
and chocolatey fruit kept in check by a good
tannin/acid balance. We think this is excellent value,
and comes with a heavy recommendation from us.
Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2001
Tasted:
November 2001
A new Marlborough label for us; the 'spy' part of
the label relates to their fruit sources in the Waihopai
Valley (home of the infamous satelite station).
Intensely flavoured with spicy pear and quince
notes, nice fruit, and good body from the higher
alcohol. Drink now with food or lightly chilled over
summer.
Spy Valley Pinot Gris 2002
Tasted:
November 2002
We built a large following for this wine last year, and
the follow-up vintage also looks pretty tidy. Once
again, the wine has lovely texture, a richness on the
palate reminiscent of Alsace, and notes of pineapple
and pear (sounds like an advert for West's for those in
the know) with warmth on the finish. Quite different
in style to the central Otago Pinot Grigio styled wines.
Spy Valley Riesling 2002
Tasted:
April 2003
A very exciting winery from Marlborough, and one
which I believe is setting the benchmark for it's
Riesling and Gris, because the quality is so good for
the price. I love the freshness and pure fruit of this
wine. It's packed with stonefruit flavours and a touch
of passionfruit. Great with Asian food now, but cellar
with confidence for 2-5 years.
Spy Valley Sav Blanc 2002
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
Situated in the Waihopi Valley in Marlborough (and
thus the 'Spy' monikor), the Johnson family have
long been grape growers, but in recent years have
taken the value added approach and released their
own label, with a very smart range of wines. This
crisp, zesty, grassy and gooseberry flavoured wine
is right in the classical Marlborough mode.
St Clair Riesling 2002
Tasted:
March 2003
Juicy, full bodied style. Off-dry with a lovely long
nectarine palate. Good value.
St Hallet Faith Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
March 2000
Sweet cherry and plum lifted fruit and soft smoked toasty
flavours.
St Hallett 'Faith' Barossa Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
October 2003
The return of this excellent Shiraz from one of my favourite Aussie producers. Plum red in colour with a complex nose of sweet cherry, plum and an almost gamey character. It is very soft and approachable with cherry and raspberry flavours coming to the fore and fine textured tannins making it a wine to be enjoyed now and until 2005.
St Hallett Faith Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
May 2000
Those of you that haven't already been in to try the
'98 vintage of the St. Hallett Faith Shiraz are missing
a treat. Lovely spicy berry fruit and pepper characters
with smoky toasted oak flavours on the finish. (Lyn)
St Hallett Old Block Shiraz 1994
Tasted:
August
2000
A producer and a wine with a huge reputation in
Australia and overseas, yet in a very different style
to some of the current crop of blockbusters. A rich
yet subtle wine; all the rough edges of youth have
been smoothes away and provide a wine that you
can enjoy now. The new '97 release of this wine
will be over $50.
Staatliche Weinbaudomane Trier St. Maximer Auslese 1990
Tasted:
August
2000
Rated 97 by Bob Campbell. An absolute treat with rich, intense,
luscious nectarine flavours and an awesome finish. Try it after a meal
with fresh fruit or maybe my favourite desert, creme brulee. There is
years of life ahead if you want to cellar it longer for a big
occasion.
Staatliche Weinbaudomane Trierer St Maximer Riesling Spatlese 1990
Tasted:
August
2000
Also rated very highly by Bob Campbell in Cuisine, this fresh-faced
Riesling belies its age. After 10 years it has lost much of the
traditional German sulphur on the nose and is now redolent of flowers,
with a marvelously honeyed palate and great length. A fine example of
an aged Riesling.
Stepping Stones Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
September 2002
A new release and a style the Australians do so
well. Rich and well balanced with nice spicy
overtones and a rip full palate. Value +
Stonecroft Crofters Syrah 2000
Tasted:
August 2002
We've been able to source one more shipment of this
stunning Kiwi red, which we feel offers outstanding
value for money. A reminder for those who have
forgotten, this is Alan Limmers top syrah fruit, given the
Rolls Royce treatment, French oak ageing the works, but
prior to bottling Alan felt that it didn't quite reach the
level he demands for his Stonecroft syrah label. He
declassified it into his Crofters label, added 10%
Cabernet and Merlot for extra backbone and released it at
this fantastic price. More in the French mould than in the
Aussie Shiraz zone, this wine is drinking beautifully
now, but I'm sure will evolve gracefully in the cellar
over the short to medium term.
Stonecroft Crofters Syrah 2000
Tasted:
June 2002
Alan Limmer is one if the pioneers of Syrah in this country, with more than a decade of
experience with this grape. This wine normally sells ex-vineyard, for more than $40 a bottle,
however with the 2000 vintage, Alan decided just prior to bottling, that the wine wasn't quite up
to his demanding standards, so he declassified it to his Crofters second label. What was a tough
financial call for Alan, is a marvellous opportunity to try what is still a top notch NZ syrah, but at
a bargain basement price. Rich in spice and pepper, excellent fruit weight and fine tannins.
Stonecroft Gewurztraminer 1999
Tasted:
May 2000
We've seen some fantastic Gewurz's come out of the
'99 vintage, but this is my personal favourite. We
have managed to obtain a tiny allocation of this gem
of a wine from Hawkes Bay. A fragrant nose of rose
petal and jasmine, with rose, honey and spice flavours
on the rich oily palate, with a great finish. Forget
about food matching; savour this wine by itself. Limit:
two bottles per customer. (Mark)
Stonecroft Gewurztraminer 2000
Tasted:
April 2001
If you're passionate about
Gewurztraminer, this is a wine to sit up and take notice of. Made by
Alan Limmer in Hawkes Bay this is always one of NZ's top marques. Made
in a drier style this year, it shows considerable ageing potential,
and is certainly crying out for at least another year before you
broach a bottle. Floral aromatics, with hints of jasmine and rose
petal beginning to unfold, a rich and textured mid-palate ('unctious'
to quote Peter) and a lingering spicy finish.
Stonehaven Limestone Coast Shiraz '98
Tasted:
July/August 2001
A blend of Shiraz grapes from the Padthaway,
Coonawarra and the Wrattonbully (who, what?)
regions, and it's a pearler. Our bottle was already
throwing a bit of sediment, so there is quite a bit of
stuffing to this wine. Densely coloured, the weighty
cherry, plum and currant fruit is balanced by an earthy,
chocolate and anise hint. Scrummy now but will
certainly cellar as well.
Stoneleigh 'Rapaura Series' Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted:
February 2002
The first vintage of the new Rapaura series. Partly oak-
aged (5%) make for a pretty powerful Sauvignon Blanc
that displays intense aromatics of ripe melons and
passionfruit, which is nicely balanced by the subtle use
of oak.
Stonier Pinot Noir 1999
Tasted:
June 2001
From the Mornington Peninsula, Victoria, this is a very
stylish Pinot. James Halliday writes " a wine of genuine
style and complexity, dense and concentrated, with layer
upon layer of totally lovely fruit". 5 stars.
Stratford Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
April 2002
A newcomer to our shelves and hailing from
Martinborough. Strat Canning has been a successful
grower they're supplying to some of the big names,
but also runs his own label. This is a tightly wound
Chardonnay, with more development and opening up
ahead of it, yet showing the intensity from low yields.
A stylish wine.
Stump Jump 2001
Tasted:
June 2003
Just adding this into the newsletter as it's so popular
with our clients, and that's totally understandable.
Huge and gorgeous! Try it if you haven't already.
Synergy Grenache Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
June 2002
From the Hamilton stable in the McLaren Vale. The Synergy style is very approachable and fruit
driven. Using the classic Rhone Valley grapes that thrives in the McLaren Vale, this is a wine
which is deep ruby in colour with a pronounced ripe berry fruit nose. The palate is packed with
rich, spicy fruit with hints of pepper and touch of earthiness.
Synergy Pinot Noir 1998
Tasted:
May 2000
From South Australia, this is a different style from the
fruit driven Central Otago styles. Lovely fruit, a
savoury finish and with a nice touch of forest floors
this is more like a French Burgundy Excellent wine at
this price, and one that make pinot noirs affordable
drinking.
Tasman Bay Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
February 2002
We've picked up a wee deal on this well known Nelson
producer. Ripe tropical fruit marries well with the spicy
oak in the wine, providing a big bold style for the
hoped for barbeques that lie ahead.
Tatachilla Breakneck Creek Merlot 2001
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
This wine has carved out a space on our shelves and just won't let go. It should come with a government
warning: Dangerously drinkable and utterly moreish. Juicy, plummy fruit, and a silky supple palate means
that this wine just slides down a treat.
Tatachilla Breakneck Creek Shiraz
Tasted:
July/August 2001
After several changes to the winery, Tatachilla was reopened in 1995 to a trade just waiting for excellent
price-driven wines. Certainly they have hit the shelves in New Zealand with gusto. With this label, comes a
single grape varietal at a very good price. This Shiraz is a fruit based style with a hint of oak to add to the
enjoyment. A delicious easy drinking Shiraz at a price that'll see you coming back for more.
Tatachilla Breakneck Merlot '02
Tasted:
March 2004
The Tatachilla breakneck range hasn't been on our
shelves for a while, but it has come back with a
vengeance. A wonderfully crafted lush merlot.
Plumy with berries as well and a hint of oak. This
merlot is a soft easy to drink wine.
Tatachilla Breakneck Merlot 1999
Tasted:
May 2001
Delightfully soft and smooth with rich raspberry
and plum fruit flavours and a hint of oak.
Tatachilla Breakneck Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
May 2001
Spicy Shiraz fruit with rich berry and pepper
flavours and subtle oak treatment.
Tatachilla Keystone 1998
Tasted:
February 2000
See notes in the Grenache
section [of the newsletter].
We last had a bottle of this last week
and I had forgotten how much I really enjoy
it. Rich, smooth and seamless with heaps of
flavour. Try it with rare lamb.
Tatachilla Keystone Grenache Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
February 2000
A good blend with no dominant varietal
characteristics, although raspberries and cherries
come through on the palate. Good wine with depth
Tatachilla Keystone Grenache Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
July/August 2001
Long a favourite at Munslow's for its combination of
lovely drinkablity and fair price. A deft combination of
Grenache perfume, along with the vibrant plum and
blackberry fruit and spice of the Shiraz. Full flavoured
rich and smooth, this has always been a very food
friendly wine.
Tatachilla Keystone Grenache Shz 99
Tasted:
October 2000
Low yielding vines producing vibrant fruit. In a full
flavoured style of plum blackberry and spice.
Taylor's Merlot 1999
Tasted:
August
2000
Taylors offers consistent good value wines. Very
rich ripe and packed with plum and spice flavours
and a touch of fresh mint and herbs.
Taylor's Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
March 2002
Heady, sweet, jammy aromas. The palate is
simplistic with heaps of clean fruit flavours. It's
pretty high in alcohol (14.5%) and shows some
very ripe fruit characteristics. Consistently good
drinking and represents excellent value for
money.
Taylors Cabernet 1999
Tasted:
April 2001
Full flavored well-balanced Cabernet with soft
tannins and complexity from maturation in oak
barrels.
Taylors Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tasted:
May 2001
Distinctive Cabernet berryfruit. Full flavoured and
matured in oak barrels resulting in a well-balanced
wine.
Taylors Cabernet Sauvignon 2000
Tasted:
February 2002
Big, rich, full of intense blackberry fruit. Trophy at the
Sydney Top 100.
Taylors Jarram Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
March 2004
A star at our recent wineclub. Sumptuous dark berry
aromas with sweet spice and chocolaty flavours.
Deliciously deep, long flavoursome finish. Try with
veal shanks.
Taylors Merlot 1999
Tasted:
June 2000
From the Clare Valley, this is a charming wine
with blackcurrant and raspberry-like fruit and a
hint of plum pudding. Medium bodied with a
generous fruity middle palate and moderate
tannins.
Taylors Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
February 2002
Big rich and dangerously drinkable. Great value with
lots of cassis and spice.
Taylors Shiraz Cabernet 1998
Tasted:
April 2001
Superb silver medal, Clare Valley wine. Smooth
and flavoursome berry and spice fruit. Value
plus and unfortunately this is the last of the
stock at this price!
Taylors Shiraz Cabernet 1998
Tasted:
February 2001
Packed with spice, cherry and berry flavours, this is
an elegant wine, with enough power to satisfy those
who like robust wines.
Taylors Shiraz Cabernet 1998
Tasted:
June 2001
Not many bargains left from the fabulous 1998 vintage
so be in quick. Rich and plummy with loads of spice and
currants. Very moorish. Probably our best selling Aussie
red instore.
Taylors Shiraz Cabernet 98
Tasted:
October 2000
Full on powerful ripe spicy berryfruit with lovely
sweet charry oak. Great value.
Taylors Shiraz Cabernet 98
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
Full on powerful ripe spicy berryfruit with lovely
sweet charry oak. Great value.
Te Awa Farm Boundary 2000
Tasted:
March 2004
This is Te Awa Farm's flagship wine and it really is
something to behold. It is a blend of Merlot (85%),
Cabernet Sauvignon (10%), and Cabernet Franc
(5%) from the much talked about Gimblett Gravels
area of the Hawkes Bay. It is a massively
concentrated and powerful wine which exudes class
and presence with ripe berry fruit characters and
excellent tannin structure. Try and resist the
temptation to drink this wine now as a few years in
the cellar will be well rewarded.
Te Kairanga Gisborne Chardonnay 2002
Tasted:
March 2004
From the makers of fine Martinborough Pinot Noir
comes this excellent Chardonnay. Using grapes
sourced from Gisborne, they have produced a
refreshing, full flavoured Chardonnay with peach and
melon characters balanced nicely by subtle oak
treatment. This was over $20, but we have done a
deal!
Te Mania Nelson Sauvignon Blanc '01
Tasted:
March 2002
Another of the newer labels from Nelson,
though these guys have been around for a
handful of years now. Like the Waimea, this
wine shows the positive effects of the drought
2001 vintage in Nelson, with lots of fruit
concentration, another lovely drop to savour
during what's left of the summer.
Te Mania Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Tasted:
September 2002
One of the best Sauvignon's I've tasted from the
recent releases. Vibrant, up-front fruit driven style
with heaps of concentrated citrus flavours and
hints of guava, passionfruit and a certain subtle,
flinty, minerally backbone.
Te Mania Sav Blanc 2002
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
A departure of sorts, as this is a Nelson producer,
rather than Marlborough. Like Central Otago,
Nelson is a buzz of vineyard activity as plantings
increase, and a number of new labels appear in the
market (Alistair has just returned from summer
holidays there, so is our current expert on the
region). Te Mania (meaning 'the plains') is a small
family owned concern. Something of a fruit bomb,
with varied tropical fruits and bright zesty citrus
notes.
Te Mata 'Elston' Chardonnay 2001
Tasted:
June 2002
Typically elegant with a lovely creamy texture. A rich
bouquet of toasty oak is followed by ripe fruit oak and
mealy flavoured. Consistently one of NZ's outstanding
Chardonnays.
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
Absolutely beautiful wine with concentrated flavours of
grapefruit, apricots and nuts. Lots of power. Michael Cooper in
his most recent book has given the Elston a super classic
identification alongside only 5 other chardonnays and I totally
agree with this call. Will age. Rock and roll. A collectors item.
Te Mata Elston Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
April 2001
Michael Cooper writes of the Elston 'One of NZ's most illustrious chardonnays, Elston is a
stylish and intense, slowly evolving Hawkes Bay wine. At around four years old, it is a notably
complete wine with concentration, complexity and finesse'. This is a true NZ classic and this
vintage is in my opinion the best Elston Chardonnay yet. Still restrained but packed with fruit.
Very complex, with a long nutty mealy palate. As Michael Cooper suggests this is one for the
cellar.
Te Mata Estate Chardonnay 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
Fantastic wine at this price. Fragrant weighty and complex with
strong nutty and peach flavours and a wonderful vanilla finish.
Te Mata Viognier 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
As far as I know, Te Mata are the first NZ winery to release a
wine from this white Northern Rhone grape variety, though
many others have planted it. Honeysuckle and floral notes on the
nose with a lovely oily texture on the palate. We have only a
handful of bottles, so it is one for the adventurous wine drinker.
Te Mata Woodthorpe Chardonnay '02
Tasted:
April 2003
This is the 2nd label of the magnificent Elston and in
most wineries the fruit would definitely be good
enough for their top label. The style is restrained and
elegant with ripe peach flavours and a tad of lemons.
A really gorgeous wine.
Te Whare Ra Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
June 2001
Lovely unoaked style packed with peach and melon
flavours and a long lingering finish. Buy now for the
summer months, as it's unlikely that we will be able to
maintain this price for long.
Te Whare Ra Gewurztraminer 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
Trophy winner for the Gewurztraminer and my wine of the
show at last years Air New Zealand show. This wonderful wine
crams more flavour per millilitre than any white wine that I
know of. Fantastic. We only have a small amount of this wine
available.
Te Whare Ra Gewurztraminer 2003
Tasted:
February 2004
Trophy winner at Air New Zealand Show last
year. It is a strikingly powerful, rich wine that
crams more flavour into the glass than most
other NZ gewurt's. Will cellar for several years.
Te Whare Ra Riesling 1999
Tasted:
June 2001
Luscious medium dry Riesling with limes and rose
petals. Perfectly balanced. Yummy! A great buy.
Te Whare Ra Riesling 2002
Tasted:
August 2002
Many of our regulars will have enjoyed previous vintages of this wine, which has been a fond favourite for us at
Munslow's. This vintage offers an intriguing counterpoint between nose and palate. It smells dry (does that sound
dumb?) with its enticing bouquet of fresh cut flowers, citrus blossom and a touch of minerality, but then wham, on
comes the lush honeyed palate with its freshening citrus notes to completely dispel the dryness suggested by the
nose. Our distributor has managed to ratchet this down to the price of the '99 vintage, making this a bargain price for
this lovely off-dry kiwi Riesling.
Te Whare Ra Riesling 2002
Tasted:
November 2002
One of the shop's best buys. Lovely now with a
delicious mouthfeel and texture. Packed with ripe
peach flavours. Will age well. Buy a case...I have.
Temple Bruer Cornucopia Grenache '98
Tasted:
July/August 2001
This is a great anytime wine. Packed with rich spicy
raspberry fruit, and a full rounded palate. This
Grenache has a lot more oomph than your regular
Grenache. Well worth the price. Great with pasta or
even a curry.
Temple Bruer Cornucopia Grenache 1997
Tasted:
February 2000
Excellent deep red colour with full grenache
floral flavours on the nose. Vibrant, high in
alcohol and made for drinking now. Excellent
example of Grenache.
Temple Bruer Res. Merlot 1996
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
A fine wine which David Bruer is justifiably proud of. It
has received accolades in the Australian press, and
deserves the same here. This would be fabulous with
turkey and the trimmings.
Temple Bruer Shiraz Malbec 1996
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
We enjoyed a bottle of this recently and were amazed at
how much it has changed. Initially the wood was quite
dominant, now it's all fruit and gutsy with it. It still has
a few years life in it for cellaring purposes.
Temple Bruer Shiraz Malbec 1998
Tasted:
April 2001
A blend of 74% Shiraz and 26% Malbec from
the Langhorne Creek. This is an excellent wine
from the fantastic 1998 vintage. Excellent
colour with sweet cherry fruit, good complexity
with intensity and length. Will cellar well. Has
received 4 gold medals to date.
Temple Bruer Shiraz Malbec 1998
Tasted:
April 2002
This is a wee beauty. A wine that's different in style to many other Langhorne Creek wines. The winemaker
David Bruer informs us that he has added 30% Malbec to soften the tannins of the Shiraz (they were huge in
the '98 vintage). The palate is intense with a wonderful depth of flavour. It's certainly drinking well now,
but will cellar for at least another 5 years or so. We enjoyed this with a roast lamb. Yum! This also happens
to be an organic vineyard. Cuisine rated it with 4 _ stars and very well rated in Australia.
Temple Bruer Shiraz Malbec 1998
Tasted:
Christmas 2001
Rich, complex flavours from this wonderful South
Australian wine. Definitely one to share on
Christmas Day with turkey, or in our case duck.
Tennyson Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
August
2000
Another good value Aussi red with lots of
blackcurrant flavour as you would expect from a
great vintage.
Tennyson Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
More French style than Australian, does with good fruit
and weight.
Tennyson Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
February 2000
I really like this wine. Good berry
flavours and a long dry finish. Made for early
drinking (meaning soon after release rather than
first thing in the morning!).
Tennyson Cabernet Sauvignon 1999
Tasted:
February 2001
Great value Aussi red with lots of blackcurrant
flavours and a lick of spicy oak.
Tennyson cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
November 1999
The name Tennyson I'm sure conjures up various
images for some people. For me it's a flat I shared
in Tennyson St, just across from Otago Girls, and it
was a rage. This wine would have gone extremely
well with all the parties and good times we had in
that flat. It's like biting into a very ripe juicy plum
(the old fashioned type that has all the juice
running down your face.or maybe that was in
another life too!). Anyway, it's a great value red.
Tenuta Sette Ponti Crognolo 1999
Tasted:
August/September 2001
Exciting new Super Tuscan, 100% Sangiovese
predominantly from a vineyard planted by HRH the
Count of Turin in 1935. 92/100 in Wine Spectator.
Tenuta del Ornellaia Le Volte 1999
Tasted:
August/September 2001
The second wine of Ornellaia and an excellent Super
Tuscan in its own right. 1999 is tipped to surpass the
1997 vintage as the vintage of the quarter century.
Terrace View Cabernet Merlot 1998
Tasted:
July/August 2001
Rated 92 by the Wine Spectator magazine, this is great
value. Lovely ripe berry fruit flavours and soft tannins
with a nice lick of oak.
Terrace View Cabernet Merlot 1998
Tasted:
May 2001
The best value NZ red in the shop from the ripe
'98 vintage. Rich and full of plum and currant
flavours with a nice touch of oak. None of those
nasty green herbal flavours. Rated an impressive
86/100 in the American Wine Spectator magazine.
The Stump Jump Shiraz Grenache 1999
Tasted:
Christmas 2001
This wine is about as subtle as a brick. Huge fruit
well balanced by silky oak. Best kept for the rave at
New Years Eve.
The Willows Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
June 2001
This label has had remarkable success in recent years in Cuisine tastings, both for its Shiraz and Cabernet.
Once again it makes the TOP 10, and will be featured in the Aussie Cabernet tasting coming up in July.
Another big cuddly Barossa wine, which can be enjoyed now. Heaps of blackberry fruit and nice toasty oak
to complement it.
Three Steps Cabernet Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
March 2004
A fully flavoured robust cab. Shiraz from Victoria.
Plums, berries and soft tannins make this a very
pleasant drinking experience.
Thyme Hill Merlot 2002
Tasted:
February 2004
Yes Merlot from central Otago, and it's the only
wine they make and serious stuff it is. Excellent
concentration of blackcurrants and plums and
beautifully structured.
Tim Gramp McLaren Vale Shiraz 1997
Tasted:
November 1999
When this label hit the shelves a number of years
ago, we at Munslow's were really excited to have
boutique wines of such good quality. This new
vintage is a dual gold medal winner. It's full of
leather, spicy rich fruit flavour steeped with sweet
American oak. It is wonderful now, but will certainly
cellar well for 5-10 years or so.
Torbreck 'Runrig' 1999
Tasted:
April 2002
The big brother to The Steading' is also available in
even smaller quantities. This is a Shiraz rather than
GSM. But alas, we have not tried this. It stands on its
own reputation.
Torbreck 'The Descendant' 1999
Tasted:
October 2001
Dave Powell is an Aussie 'garagesite', buying in parcels of old vine
fruit and handcrafting small parcels of wine. This wine has a huge
reputation in the UK, and in the US (where this sells for US $70).
The little brother to 'The Runrig' this Shiraz is fermented on
Viognier to pick up that perfume, and with a tilt towards the Rhone.
Torbreck 'The Steading' 1999
Tasted:
April 2002
Tiny amounts of this available. A new Australian icon
with rave reviews from Robert Parker. Made in the
same style as Rockford wines as the
winemaker/owner Dave Powell spent many years
there. Made from Grenache, Mouvedre and Shiraz
(GSM) blend. It has wonderful depth of flavour with
blackberry and spice. Put it aside for at least 5 years,
but will cellar well for 10 plus years.
Torbreck Runrig 1998
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
A cult wine. Classic Aussi. Very rare. Has a huge
reputation. My treat on Xmas day.
Torbreck The Steading 1999
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
Bob Campbell MW writes "buy this wine if you
can, this is Aussi Shiraz with a Rhone twist
93:100" Cellar for up to 10 years.
Torbreck the Steading 1999
Tasted:
May 2001
Huon Hook, a fine Australian wine judge and critic writes from the Sydney Morning Herald, and
recently reviewed The Steading in a manner that I can not improve on, so I reproduce his notes
here. "A superb red from Dave Powell, one of the Barossa's newest stars. Mainly Grenache with
Shiraz and Mouvedre, it has a subtle and complex bouquet and flavour which keeps unfolding as
you go. Rich fruit, sweet and profound, with abundant supple tannins, great balance and delicious
Rhone like characters." Incidentally I shared a bottle of the '97 with friends a couple of weekends
ago, and it was drinking beautifully now.
Torlesse Canterbury Chardonnay '02
Tasted:
March 2004
This Chardonnay uses grapes from Waipara and
the wider Canterbury area. It is a lightly oaked style
with citrus and melon flavours and a hint of nutty,
toasty oak. A very easy going style and great value
for money.
Torlesse Canterbury Riesling 2003
Tasted:
March 2004
This vineyard has come on leaps and bounds in the
past 2 or 3 years. It's latest release riesling is
testimony to it! Made in the Waipara style riesling,
it's a medium-off medium style with lime and stone
fruit a plenty with a clean crisp finish. Stunningly
good for the price.
Torlesse Medium Riesling 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
Just what you need when you look at the shelves and find
everything has gone up in price with the fall of the New Zealand
dollar. This makes good drinking for not a lot of money. Fruity
and ripe this wine fills the mouth surprisingly. A small amount of
Muller adds to an aromatic lift.
Torlesse Pinot Noir
Tasted:
March 2004
Great value from Canterbury. Strawberry and spice
aromas are followed by ripe plum and cherry
flavours, with some spicy complexity and a good
finish.
Vincent Girardin Santenay 1er Cru Clos de la
Torlesse Riesling 1999
Tasted:
February 2002
Classy Riesling with a bit of age. Made in an off dry
style, with touches of peach and vanilla pod.
Torres Sangre De Toro 1999
Tasted:
July/August 2001
We should have had Chris and Cheryl write up this wine,
as they have just attended a marvellous tasting at Torres
(yep in Spain). Those of you with a Spanish bent will
know that Sangre de Toro means 'bulls blood' and this
is a rich zesty grenache based wine with lovely earthy
nuances. The back label suggests that the wine has
complex 'Mediterranean aromas' which I take the mean
unwashed Spaniards but nevertheless, this is a jolly
nice wine.
Torres Santa Digna Cabernet Sav 98
Tasted:
October 2000
With the name Torres you immediately think Spain,
however this wine is from Chile. Torres were the first
European company in Chile planting grapes in 1979. This
wine seems to have something both of the Old World and
New World about it. The flashes of tawny in the colour
show a more oxidative style of winemaking, yet the
sweet fruit is New World then the finish is more
savoury and dry. Priced competitively with many of the
Australians, it offers a fascinating alternative.
Trinity Hill Chardonnay 1999
Tasted:
May 2001
For those of you who don't already know, this is
the label of John Hancock, who for many, many
years crafted the wines of Morton Estate, including
their wonderful Black Label Chardonnays. Fresh
from topping the Cuisine Chardonnay tasting, this
is a sophisticated wine. More Burgundian than
Kiwi. The aromatic hints if citrus, nuts and
matchstick lead on to a powerful palate; mealy
and textured with a long finish. Will also be well
worth a run in the cellar.
Turkey Flat Grenache 1998
Tasted:
February 2000
These grapes used to go to Charles Melton,
St. Hallet and Rockford vineyards, but in the last
5 years or so have gone into the Turkey Flat
label. This is a serious grenache, raspberry and
plum with rich and very ripe fruit. Balanced well
with oak and tannins and excellent finish.
Turkey Flat Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
October 2001
A personal favorite of mine, which in the past I've has to buy direct
from the vineyard. This is the first year it has been available in
NZ. Very old vine Barossa fruit gives a supple richly flavoured wine,
which is about balance. One of those wines with immediate
drinkability, but with the poise to sustain long-term cellaring.
Twin Island Pinot Noir 2000
Tasted:
August/September 2001
A genuinely good Pinot Noir for under $20. A big
fleshy wine which possesses good depth of warm, ripe
cherryish flavours with some complexity.
Tyrrells Steven Semillon 1993
Tasted:
May 2000
Laurie and Peter's favourite Semillon. Little brother
to their Vat 1 Semillon, which has won every accolade
that any wine, could receive. Full of toasty citrus
flavours, developed beautifully. A great change form
chardonnay. It's only a baby at 7 years old, but it has
years to go.
Umani Ronchi Verdicchio 2000
Tasted:
August 2002
Verdicchio who/what/where you might ask, but
Verdicchio is widely grown in Central Italy and in this
case in the DOC of Castelli de Jesi in the Marches.
Subtle rather than flamboyant, I found this to be a wine
that crept up on me with its fresh burst of citrusy acidity
overlaid on an almondy nutty palate. Some Italian whites
I have tried have been bland oxidized offerings, but this
wine definitely drew me back for a second glass.
Valli Baldhills Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2001
Tasted:
November 2002
Grant Edmonds own label. Great Pinot cropped low
for intensity. Full of charm, elegant yet powerful. Still
a baby. Cellar for 18months, but wonderful now.
Vasse Felix Heytesbury 1997
Tasted:
February 2000
This is the flagship wine from one of the Margaret
River's best wineries. Very Bordeaux like in its
blend of cabernet, franc and malbec and in its
style. Huge on the palate with sublime fruit,
spice and mint balanced superbly with generous
oak. Will cellar well for 10 years or more.
Vasse Felix Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
March 2004
We had a bottle of this last Friday night with pizza after a very long week. We had attended
a wedding the night before and were quite frankly exhausted from a very late night, and
not enough sleep (that happens too often these days when I've had too much the night
before). I hadn't intended drinking at all that night, but was soon persuaded by the waft of
violets and berries coming from the glass strategically placed in front of me. What's a girl to
do!!
Vasse is an old vineyard (established in 1967) from Western Australia and has made some
of the best shiraz's from the region rating 5 stars consistently.
The palate was sublime, full and spicy, smooth and elegant at the same time. It's made in a
Rhone style typical of Margaret River area as compared to the 'in your face' Barossa style,
It has that 'x-factor' that makes your palate waken up and take notice of what you're
drinking. I seriously rate this wine, especially at this price and if it works with pizza, then
what the hell.
Vasse
Tasted:
April 2003
When was the last time you tried a Vasse? This vineyard has been around and producing such fantastic quality
wines for at least the last three decades, that I'm surprised that we don't hear much about them ... I guess it's
the same old story... the US market is gobbling the majority of the wine produced by them. Well breathe a
sigh of relief that we have at least the Shiraz here. This wine has consistently achieved 5 stars by the likes of
James Halliday etc, that it surprises me that the price has been kept at such a reasonable level (compared to
wines like E and E which are now at the $100 mark!).
This is a stunner from the Margaret River. Full of lovely berry/cherry fruit with a touch of forest floor. Very
complex, and will develop well. A wine for the cellar that I think should last for 10-15 years. Halliday tried a
line up of the Shiraz a few years ago and was impressed at their longevity.
Vavasour Reserve Riesling 2001
Tasted:
March 2004
Hand picked and whole bunch pressed, then
fermented with wild yeasts. This is a lovely lemon
lime style of riesling with hints of stonefruit and a very
long finish, made in a medium dry style. Will cellar
well.
Verde Brut NV
Tasted:
August/September 2001
Recently re-packaged, this reasonably priced bubbly is
a blend of 75% Pinot Noir and 25% Chardonnay. It
shows good depth of fresh zesty citrus balanced with a
touch of biscuity yeast.
Veuve Clicquot NV
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
When only the best will do! Champagnes come in all
styles from acidic/appley flavours to rounded buttery
styles. Clicquot is in the latter style, and I love it!
Super special: buy a case of 12 and receive a bottle
free.
Veuve Clicquot NV
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
Was 92.95, now 76.95. Our absolute favourite at a great price. Rich, complex and delicious, this is what Laurie and I will start
Xmas Day with!
Veuve Clicquot NV
Tasted:
Xmas 2000
Our favourite - the queen of Champagne
Veuve Clicquot Non Vintage
Tasted:
June 2000
Laurie and Peter's favorite fizz. Rich and buttery
with superb yeast treatment makes this the queen
of Champagnes at this price in town.
Vidals Riesling 2002
Tasted:
June 2003
Made in an off-dry style with lots of peach and citrus
flavours. A really good buy, however it is in limited
quantity only.
Vidals Sauvignon Blanc 2002
Tasted:
June 2003
Another great buy. This is a crisp, delicate wine with
good melon and lime evoking flavours and a touch of
complexity due to the hint of oak.
Vieux Clocher Cotes du Rhone 1999
Tasted:
Christmas 2001
A worthy follow up to the '98 we stocked earlier in
the year. Lovely grenache and syrah fruit with a
classic hint of French barnyard. Very definitely
European.
Vieux Clocher Cotes du Rhone 2000
Tasted:
June 2002
Packed with vibrant fruit with spicy strawberry fruit
and a good long finish made mainly from Syrah. When
you're sick of the sweet, in your face Shiraz from
Australia, this will be an excellent alternative.
Villa Maria 2 Vineyards Cab Merlot '00
Tasted:
March 2004
Keith Stewart wine of the week in the Listener
magazine. It is complex, savoury with great depth
and firm tannins and packed with blackcurrant and
plum flavours. It has generous fruit and promises to
mature well. Better value for quality than the Reserve
range which tend to be a touch expensive.
Whitehaven Reserve Gewurztraminer '01 22.45
Mouth filling, rich and dry which is everything a good
gewurt should be. It has lychees and spice flavours
on the palate. 3 years in the bottle has made this a
very seductive wine; lovely and lingering.
Villa Maria Cellar Selection Cabernet Merlot 2001
Tasted:
April 2003
Selected as Michael Coopers "Best Buy of the Year" for the 2000 vintage, this is a pretty good follow-up. The
fruit is sourced from the Gimblett gravel area in Hawkes Bay, and has produced a very elegant wine indeed.
Blackcurrant cassis and plum flavours abound with a touch of spice. Drinking now but will cellar nicely for 2-
3 years.
Waimea Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
May 2001
We've tried this 2 or 3 times now and absolutely
loved it. Creamy oaky fig and tropical fruit
underlain with nuances of butterscotch and
mealiness.
Waimea Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted:
June 2002
Impressive Sauvignon Blanc from Nelson. Redcurrent
and gooseberry aromas with intense passionfruit,
gooseberry and lime flavours coming through on the
palate. Without doubt one of the best in this price
range.
Waimea Estates Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
April 2001
Delicious full fruit of fig, tropical fruit and
cashews underlay nuances of vanilla
butterscotch and mealiness.
Waimea Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted:
March 2002
An up and coming label from Nelson, and one
to keep ab eye on. I met the winemaker last
year and he's a focused chap, passionate about
his wine, and striving to better it each year.
From a very good year in Nelson, this is
fragrant and zesty wine, with a hint of tropical
fruit overlaid on the usual gooseberry and
grassy notes.
Waipara Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Tasted:
October 2003
New to us here at Munslows, this is a classic style Marlborough Sauvignon. Upfront vibrant gooseberry and passionfruit flavours with hints of nettle and herbaceous characters. Clean and fresh on the finish.
Wairau River Chardonnay 1998
Tasted:
November 1999
Especially bottled for Munslow's, Philip Rose was
not going to release this delicious Chardonnay yet,
but pressure from our clients after a recent
Decanter Club tasting of Wairau River forced the
issue. Elegant powerful, citrus and melon flavours
balanced with excellent oak. A wine to cellar for 3-
4 years or enjoy young and fresh now.
Wairau River Riesling 2002
Tasted:
March 2003
A classic example of the Mark v Peter phenomena.
At 5gm/l sugar and noticeably dry this is a style
which Peter will enjoy with food, but I love anytime,
anywhere. The rep and I polished off the bottle in no
time, and who wouldn't when the aromatics just leap
out the glass, the wine is long and intense on the
palate, and the whole palate is bright and fresh as a
summer's day. Love it now, or luxuriate in it in five
years.
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc '99
Tasted:
June 2000
Excellent example of Marlborough sauvys. Elegant
tropical fruit with traditional gooseberry aromas
with nicely balanced acid and fruit.
Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
August
2000
A powerful, intense and classy wine from a
producer with a big following in the UK. All the
flavours that you would expect in a good
Marlborough savvy, with a lovely texture and
excellent complexity.
Waterwheel Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
February 2001
Very dark with rich nose of berries, vanilla and
chocolate. It lingers on the finish with hints of plums
and liquorice. Superb!
Waterwheel Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
March 2002
Wonderful unctuous Shiraz. Rich and ripe with
a cascade of blackberry, chocolate and earthy
flavours. Very full bodied and mouthfilling now,
or cellar for 4-5 years.
Waterwheel Shiraz 2002
Tasted:
March 2004
According to James Halliday, this is Australia's best
red wine buy! From Bendigo, Victoria, this is serious
stuff. Big, dark wine with a ton of blackberry fruit and
lovely vanilla flavours. Very ripe and full bodied with
a very long finish. Great now, but try in 6 years.
Peter's choice.
Weeping Sands Waiheke Cab Merlot '00
Tasted:
April 2003
We rarely see wines from Waiheke Island down south
with the local Auckland market being as parochial as
we are with our Central Otago wines. Here then is an
opportunity to try one of the northern wines that is not
at a horrendous price, (which is synonymous of
Waiheke wines). Very good value, the 2nd label of
Obsidian. Lots of flavour, and delicious now.
Weeping Sounds Cabernet Merlot 2000
Tasted:
April 2002
Second label of Obsidian Vineyard from Waiheke
Island, and certainly the most reasonably priced
Waiheke Island red without compromising on quality.
More Bordeaux like in style.
Whitehaven Pinot Gris 2002
Tasted:
November 2002
Due instore mid month, this wine is made by Simon
Waghorn; ex Corbans, and also making wine
successfully under his own label Astrolabe. Showing
lovely texture with peach and stonefruit elements we
found a sample of this to be moorish. Very attractive
drinking in its youth and competitively priced.
Wild Duck Creek 1999 Spring Flat Shiraz
Tasted:
April 2001
Very stylish wine made from very low yielding
old Shiraz vines. Choc full of plum, licorice and
spice. Very, very intense on the palate. Cellar 5
to 8 years. 94/100. 5 stars Cuisine. Very rare.
Wild Duck Creek Springflat Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
October 2001
Wild Duck Creek has sprung to fame in the US with the rather
unfortunately named, but highly famous 'Ducks Muck' which is now
selling for in excess of US $1000. A baby brother, but a
serious wine in its own right, hailing from Heathcote (N.W. of
Melbourne).
William Hill Gewurztraminer 2001
Tasted:
June 2002
Fresh, lively petal aromas, with tropical fruit salad and
soft spicy overtones. Intense lingering flavours on the
finish. One of the best Gewurz's from Central Otago.
William Hill Gewurztraminer 2002
Tasted:
March 2003
This Gewurzt displays all those lovely characteristics of gewurz that we all love; Rose petals and turkish
delight. A softer style than the Marlborough styles, due to the cooler climate in Central Otago. A
definite wine to enjoy over those lingering sunny days and evenings.
Wirra Wirra 'The Angelus' Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
July/August 2001
Mark subscribes to an Australian wine and food magazine called Divine, which had such a
marvellous review of this wine that I just had to share it with you.
"It's like Anthony Mundine in a bottle; power, aggression bravado, and a real need to stand out. The
fruit - boy does this wine have fruit! Rich blackcurrant. Rich aniseed. Rich dark chocolate. And a
rich swirl of coconut - I nearly keeled over just smelling it (actually, I lie... it's got all that but it
simultaneously seems deft. There's real class here) the palate itself is accordingly packed with more
blackcurrant, blood plums, a seriously sensational streak of strawberry and much more of that rich,
dark, chocolatey oak. There's also a patch of earthiness in there too - really for a young super
duper premium, this wine is showing considerable complexity. Perhaps that's a result of its origins:
it's a blend of 63% Adelaide Hills and 37% Coonawarra fruit. Whatever it is, it's a top eminently age
worthy wine."
Five stars in Cuisine, we have managed to source only a small quantity so may need to be allocated
depending on the demand. For this reason, we would suggest you place your order immediately
with Peter or Mark.
Wirra Wirra Scrubby Rise 2001
Tasted:
July 2003
A blend of Shiraz, Cabernet and Petit Verdot that
works really well. It has great balance, structure and
complexity. Packed with mocha and spice flavours
and a lovely long finish
Wither Hills Chardonnay 1998
Tasted:
March 2000
Brent Marris continues to make one of the best chardonnays in
New Zealand. Barrel fermented in French oak enhances this rich
complex melon flavoured wine.
Wither Hills Chardonnay 1999
Tasted:
February 2001
One of my favourites. Mealy and complex with
vibrant ripe fruit shining through. Memorable now
but will cellar if you can resist for 2-3 years. 5 stars.
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
This wine has won a trophy every year it has been
produced. In my opinion it is as good as Cloudy Bay.
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
March 2000
Herbal with gooseberry overtones in a crisp and intense style.
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 1999
Tasted:
November 1999
Distinctive Marlborough, fine herbaceous flavours
with gooseberry overtones. This did not disappoint
when Brent Marris showed this at the decanter
Club last month. Watch out for more awards. What
Brent is trying to achieve comes from his viticulture
techniques, which enhances fruit balance, a
uniformity of ripeness and harmony of fruit.
Absolutely fantastic wine.
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2000
Tasted:
February 2001
Arguably NZ's finest. Pure ripe gooseberry, melon
and capsicum flavours, this is Sauvignon at its pure
penetrating best. Very concentrated. Made by the
multi-talented Brent Marris.
Wither Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2001
Tasted:
October 2001
Over a few short years Brent Marris has propelled the Wither Hills
label to the top of the tier. As much about texture and complexity as
fruit, this is a wine that will build up a head of steam as it gains a
little bottle age. Complex and wonderful drinking now, but will be
even better in the New Year.
Wyndam Bin 888 Cabernet Merlot
Tasted:
February 2002
Nice rich mouthfeel with lovely chocolate notes.
Scored very well in Cuisine.
Wyndham Bin 555 Shiraz 2000
Tasted:
March 2002
We did a good deal on this big spicy wine. Full
of fruitcake, berry and spice flavours. Great
value
Wynn's Coonawarra Riesling 2002
Tasted:
March 2004
From Coonawarra oldest winery comes another
masterpiece of winemaking. This riesling has an
abundance of the tropical riesling flavours and a
wonderful full finish. However, if you don't wish to
drink it now, it'll benefit with cellaring. We tried a
1993 vintage with Mark a couple of years ago and it
proved that cellaring this wine was well worth the
effort. At this price and with the first vintage in
stelvin, how can you lose?
Wynns Chardonnay 1999
Tasted:
June 2000
Some Aussi Chardonnays are fat and blowzy; this
isn't one of them. Zesty white peach and tropical
fruit notes are balanced well by the integrated
creamy, nutty oak. A great little wine at a great
little price.
Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 1996
Tasted:
November 1999
Perfectly balanced with an abundance of generous
minty Coonawarra cabernet fruit on a background
of vanilla oak. This wine gets very good reviews in
all the Australian mags, and it's not hard to see
why. James Halliday says it is "a powerful
testament to the synergy between Coonawarra and
Cabernet Sauvignon." This is definitely one for the
cellar, and when you bring it out in 5 years time it
will still be as fresh and balanced as the day it was
made.
Wynns Coonawarra Chardonnay 2000
Tasted:
June 2001
Tried this wine recently with friends and we were all
thinking it was Kiwi. It has freshness often lacking in
Aussie Chardonnays at this price, with peach and
nectarine fruit, and a mealy texture, and deftly handled
oak.
Wynns Coonawarra Shiraz 2002
Tasted:
March 2004
Very purple in colour with spice, black cherry and
berry fruit on the nose. The palate is full and rich
with lots of dark fruit flavours. Try with kebabs.
Wynns Riesling 1999
Tasted:
May 2000
I really enjoyed a '93 of this wine over the weekend, a
fine example of a wine, which costs little, but amply
rewards cellaring. But it's really an each way bet!
Drink it young for it's exuberant citrus freshness, or
put it away for five (or more) years and see a
wonderfully toast and honey, lime and kero wine
evolve. The Wynn's people rate this vintage very
highly. (Mark)
Wynns Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
March 2000
Peppery spicy cherry and berry flavours and supple well-
balanced oak in a ripe rich style.
Wynns Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
May 2000
The best vintage yet. Packed with ripe cherry flavours
and spicy oak. Put a case under the house; we have!
James Halliday writes the large-scale production has
in no way prevented excellent wines covering the full
price spectrum from the bargain basement riesling
(above) and shiraz through to the deluxe John
Riddoch and Michael. Wynns offers extraordinary
value for money. You can rely on Wynns.
Wynns Shiraz 2001
Tasted:
June 2003
We enjoyed this while watching the rugby this last
weekend, and I well understand the claim that it was
voted 'red wine buy of the year'. A blackish cherry
and berry fruit with a dab of sweet oak. Rich palate
with dark fruit flavours. Great with kebabs.
Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
April 2001
We have managed to get more of this wine
from this superb vintage. Ripe sweet berryfruit
with licorice notes and subtle smoky oak.
Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
February 2001
Brilliant fruit from a great year. Sweet with ripe
intense fruit and hints of chocolate and coconut and
a long voluptuous finish. Will cellar well.
Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
June 2001
Made from 30-50 year old vines. Sweet ripe fruit on the
nose. The palate shows very intense and concentrated
Berry, plum and liquorice flavours. We had a bottle last
night with a fantastic steak and kidney pie
Yalumba Barossa Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
October 2001
Another great wine from the impressive Yalumba portfolio. Made from
100 percent Barossa Shiraz it displays ripe, sweet berry aromas on the
nose. Plum and licorice notes are present on the palate, with a long
smooth finish. Equally as good as the previous vintage and a great
under $20.00 buy. Limited supplies only.
Yalumba Bush Vine Grenache 2001
Tasted:
March 2004
Yalumba has the resource of some very old, gnarly
bush vines, producing low yields of Grenache that
are classic in style with a depth of concentrated
flavour. Deep purple in colour with wild blueberry
and plumy fruit characters and a hint of pepper,
supported by a fine tannin structure. Drinking very
well now.
Yalumba Galway Hermitage 1998
Tasted:
August
2000
Rich colour with distinctive spicy fruit and elegant
well balanced oak.
Yalumba Oxford Landing Chardonnay 99
Tasted:
February 2001
Another Aussi bargain with rich ripe toasty flavours
and pleasant toasty oak.
Yalumba Oxford Landing Chardonnay
Tasted:
June 2002
Very good bargain Chardonnay, with juicy tropical fruit
and melon and fig overtones. It tastes clean and rich
with a good finish. You can't go wrong at this price.
Take it to parties, it will go down well
Yalumba Viognier 2003
Tasted:
September 2003
A lovely alternative to riesling. Yalumba are
getting good at this difficult Northern Rhone
varietal. It is a generous full-on wine with
excellent tropical nose with spicy aromas in
the mouth. A generous touch of apricot
suggests a big broad highly viscose wine, with
its own distinct flavours.
Zema Cabernet Sauvignon 1998
Tasted:
February 2001
Made in the classic cooler climate Coonawarra style
Full of flavour, with ripe sweet cassis flavours, and
hints of the French and American vanilla oak.
Halliday wrote of the winemaking practices "if ever
there was an example of great wines being made in
the vineyard this is it". 5 stars and one for the cellar.
d'Arenberg Stump Jump 2001
Tasted:
August 2002
Stumpy's back! Bigger, stronger, faster (I think I can
hear the theme top the six million dollar man breaking
in). We've leapt (forgive the pun) into the '01 vintage
and d'Arenberg have added Mouvedre (they like to call it
Mataro in Australia) to bend this year making it a G.S.M.
The Mouvedre adds a little more depth to the colour, and
gives ab extra savoury, gamy note to the wine. Another
Munslow's favourite, which I'm sure will fly off the
shelves this year.
d'Arenburg D'Arry's Original Grenache Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
August
2000
This wine has been around for years but was known simply as
D'Arry's Original. While the wine never used to have its varietal
make-up labeled, it has always been a blend of grenache and shiraz
which d'Arenburg stood by over the years. With both grapes now
strongly in fashion, they get a discreet mention on the label. This
vintage is a potent mix of ripe fruit, spices and a bit of the shiraz
pepperiness. I thought it was yummy.
d'Arenburg Stump Jump 2001
Tasted:
March 2003
Say no more about this except this new vintage
seems to have more shiraz and more body than the
last vintage (my perception only).
d'Arenburg Stump Jump 2001
Tasted:
September 2003
Yahoo 'Stumpy's' back! Yes we are happy to say that 'Stumpy' is back in our shop. After
letting you all try some different wines, 'Stumpy' has come to make your choice even harder.
There are lots of great wines around this price range at the moment, however I think that
this blend of grenache, shiraz and mouvedre (monastrell in Italy and Spain) is truly fantastic.
Spicy in character with hints of delicious raspberries. Remember to be in quick, as almost all
our regular customers know this wine well.
d'Arenburg The Stump Jump 2001
Tasted:
Christmas 2002
What can we say about this wine that hasn't already been said? Quirky label, memorable wine ...it has lots
of palate interest for the serious wine enthusiast, and is seriously gluggable for the wine novice. It's legion
of fans won't care less what we say, just keep it in store.
d'Arenburg The Stump Jump Grenache Shiraz 1999
Tasted:
April 2002
Boy have we got a deal for you! Stumpy bounded onto the scene (forgive the pun, but it was late at night
over a glass of charders...and Mark's like that!) late last year and has very quickly become a firm favorite
amongst our clients. It offers a rich, spicy flavour with that touch of raspberry and earthiness common in
Grenache. This is a wine whose complexity and depth of flavour far outweighs its modest price. WELL!
The rep has come in with a deal so hot, it came with its own set of oven mitts. For the course of the
newsletter or while stocks last.
Normally $14.95 Newsletter price $11.65
d'Arenburg grenache Shiraz 1998
Tasted:
June 2001
Meaty earthy floral spicy full of warm soft McLaren
Vale fruit. A very generous wine with rich, supple fruit
and the usual d'Arenberg silky, smoky oak. Has received
fantastic reviews in Australia for years. Try with a
casserole. Was $23.95
Tasted:
Christmas 1999
Below are 4 Chardonnays (the first 3 Australian, the
latter is NZ) which make amazing value for money. All
are ideal for parties, Christmas pressies or just enjoying
by the lake and are excellent wines.
Banrock Station Chardonnay 1999
Cedar Creek Chardonnay 1998
Mildara Chardonnay 1998
Sanctuary Chardonnay 1998