It's almost impossible to go to a New Zealand wine show and not try Sauvignon Blanc, the other grape that would be hard to avoid is Pinot Noir ... but I did it - almost. I did partake in the seminar about Sauvignon Blanc: "Where to From Here" - but after that I was on a strict no Savvy B no Pinot Noir diet (unless for some reason I would die if I didn't try it - thankfully few said I would die if I didn't try their wine). Here were some of my favourite of the day ...
Seminar Wines of Note (all Sauvignon Blanc) ...
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| Fermented in French oak (10% new) then aged on lees an additional 10 months, made from fruit grown in a single vineyard block (South Oaks) - fruity yet creamy notes with lemon meringue, grapefruit and sweet grass (****+) |
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| 3 months of lees contact has given the wine a creamy citrus feel, though still fresh and clean (****) |
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| 10% barrel ferment in neutral oak results in a gravelly, stony, mineral nose with grapefruit pith and zest ... this is a tasty little number (****) |
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| fresh and clean with soft grapefruit and citrus notes that are expected but very welcome; with a nice long finish (****+) |
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| fresh and lively citrus with hints of grass - best part is the nice long finish (*** 1/2+) |
Walk Around Wines ...
Once again, I am trying to avoid the usual Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc to see what else New Zealand makes that's of interest (and there is plenty) but sometimes a Pinot or Savvy B just struck me as too interesting to pass up ...
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| aka "Signum Noble II" which has a touch of botrytis on both grape varieties - very delicious (****+) - $27.60 |
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very Chardonnay with vanilla, butter and tropical fruit notes (****) - $19.95
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| good earthy notes but the real take away is the lovely cran-cranberry (****) - $n/a |
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| sweet fruit, good spice with floral in the form of violets (****+) - $29.95 |
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| a noble rotted Savvy B that has a tropical nose and matching palate with great sweetness (****) - $29.95 |
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| a single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc that has the typical grassiness but adds orange rind notes (*** 1/2+) - $20.95 |
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| a warmer year Merlot with robust red fruit, nice tannins and the potential for good ageing (****) - $18.95 |
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| nice intensity with typical Sauv Blanc character, but intensified and yet refreshing (****) - $21.95 |
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| dominated by cran-cherry, pretty nose, nice acidity, easy drinking, food friendly (****+) - $24.95 |
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| a really nice sparkling with raspberry and a gentle citrus (****+) - $40.00 |
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| pretty floral aromas with sweet pear center (*** 1/2+) - $19.95 |
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it's a Sauvignon Blanc that has a 6 month of barrel ferment, creamy vanilla and long lush finish (****+) - $39.95
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| dark cherry, earthy and oaky with smoky tannins (****+) - $42.95 |
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| a real summer sipper with its sweet apple and pear notes (*** 1/2+) - $22.95 |
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| Perfectly captures Pinot Gris flavour with bubbles (*** 1/2) - $18.95 |
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| nice oak and cinnamon notes with dried cherry and hints of cranberry; good BBQ wine (****) - $15.95 |
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| good white fruit sweetness with apple, pear and peach notes (*** 1/2+) - $16.45 |
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| plenty of fresh fruit, drier style of Pinot Gris dominated by lemon-lime and hints of apple for balance (*** 1/2+) - $17.95 |
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| made from the oldest Viognier vines in New Zealand - 11 years - 9 months in barrel has given this a beauty mouthfeel, tropical fruit and vanilla notes with a long lush finish. (**** 1/2) - $19.95 ... BEST WHITE |
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| smoky and toasty with white pepper and raspberry (*** 1/2) |
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| pineapple, pear and a touch of citrus rind on the finish (*** 1/2) - $36.95 |
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| very raspberry with white pepper and smoke (*** 1/2+) - 29.95 |
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| smooth, sexy and smoky with generous notes of raspberry and strawberry (**** 1/2) - $45.00 ... BEST RED |
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| a lovely apple and pear combo (*** 1/2+) |
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| white fruit with a touch of bitterness on the finish - 20% of the wine see oak (****) - $15.95 |
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| a delicate Rose BRust that's incredibly tasty (****) - $27.95 |
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| great fruit with a hint of spice (****) - $25.00 |
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tropical fruit with pear and grassy notes with an intense lovely mouthfeel (****) - $19.00
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