Rippon, Central Otago, Lake Wanaka, Pinot Noir 2006 This vintage sports smoky and toasty notes in the nose. The mouth is densely packed with fruit and the ample acidity carries the flavor for a long time.
Notes on the previous vintage: Lots of brown spices and black pepper to taste with an acidic frame.
The wine was [...]

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Sherwood Estate, Marlborough, Pinot Noir 2007 Brambles, earth and green spices mark the nose and the fruit is still in the background, waiting to come out. In the mouth though, the fruit is poignant, framed by lots of acidity. Proprietors Dayne & Jill Sherwood. P&B in Waipara 13% $14.99 at K&L Sherwood Estate Wines

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The Drylands and Omaka Springs shine in this flight and show two slightly different taste profiles.
Drylands, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 A pungent rush of gooseberry jumps out of the glass when you pour this wine with cut grass in the background. The same flavors follow in the mouth with the addition of citrus and racy [...]

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Whitehaven, Marlborough, Sauvignon Blanc 2007 This is full-throttle gooseberries and herbaceousness with loads of acidity - a delicious mouthful of citrus fruit and green peppers. Our friends Chuck and Barbara brought over the ‘06 version to share with us at dinner. This was also a winner with the intensely acidic edge and the pungency of [...]

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Les Carabenes Vin de Pays d’Oc 2006
Too bad this sample is corked. Imported by PlanetWine in Oakland Mis in the postal code F-11300 13.5% 14.99 at Traverso’s
Greenstone Point South Island Pinot Noir 2006
A little weedy, very firm and tart - quite an unyielding wine. Produced in Marlborough 13% $10.49 at Bottle Barn Greenstone Point
Cono Sur [...]

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The second flight of Pinot tonight is drawn exclusively from the wine region of Central Otago.
Mt. Difficulty Central Otago Pinot Noir 2006
Firm, gripping and marked by earthy and berry notes. P&B in Bannockburn 14.5% $28.99 at Bottle Barn [...]

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2 flights of Pinot from New Zealand and here is number 1
Daniel Schuster Waipara Pinot Noir Selection 2006
Intense acidity marks this Pinot to drink with food today or lay down in the cellar. P&B in Waipara 14% $26.99 at Bottle Barn Daniel Schuster
Saint Clair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006
The class favorite of this flight, the wine [...]

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No.1 Family Estate Marlborough Cuvee No.1 Blanc de Blanc Sparkling Wine nv
Crisp and concentrated, like biting into a green apple. As with Blanc de Blancs from Champagne, this is 100% Chardonnay, aged two years en tirage. Owner & winemaker Daniel Le Brun. Produced in Blenheim 12.5% $27.29 at Bottle Barn No.1
Huia Marlborough Brut 2000
A [...]

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Wynns Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2004
Mild green elements add a nice complexity to the cherry fruit. This is a light-bodied Cabernet with a complementary level of acidity. All Cabernet aged in new and used French and US oak. Winemaker Sue Hodder 13.5% $12.99 at K&L Wynns
Pirramimma McLaren Vale Petit Verdot 2003
This wine is quite refined, showing [...]

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Cloudy Bay Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Intense green characters, like cutting grass in the summer on a windy day with plenty of acidity. There is full concentration on the palate. Machine harvested, fermented in stainless and aged on the lees for two months. P&B in Blenheim 13.5% $19.99 at Bottle Barn Cloudy Bay
Spinyback Nelson Sauvignon Blanc [...]

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Saint Clair Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007
Vibrant grapefruit and grassy aromas are flanked by ample acidity and citrus on the palate - mouth-tingling. Owned by the Ibbotson family; winemaker Matt Thomson. P&B in Blenheim 13% $13.49 at Bottle Barn      Saint Clair

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Craggy Range Martinborough Te Muna Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Te Muna means ’secret place’ and it is where this vineyard is located, adjacent to the Huangarua River. P&B in Havelock North 13.5% $19.99 at K&L Craggy Range

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On a later date we tasted the substantial Pinot from Amisfield alongside this gem from Australia.
Kooyong Mornington Peninsula Haven Pinot Noir 2004
This is one of the single vineyard bottlings from Kooyong. P&B in Tuerong in Victoria 13% $54.99 at K&L Kooyong
This flight features 3 wines from Central Otago on New Zealand’s South Island and one [...]

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Wild Rock Central Otago Rose 2006
Fresh strawberries and perfume to smell and a clean, dry, fruity palate with some creamy texture. Vin Gris from Pinot Noir, P&B in Hastings, Hawkes Bay 14% $9.99 at Bottle Barn Wild Rock

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In this latest taste-off, we look at a Kiwi Chardonnay alongside the Giaconda.
Babich Hawke’s Bay Unoaked Chardonnay 2006
This wine is all stainless steel. P&B in Henderson 13.5% $10.99 at K&L Babich
Two delicious wines, two very different interpretations of one grape.
Yangarra McLaren Vale Un-Oaked Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2007
Full of a bevy of fruits with built up [...]

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Their is ample acidity in both wines in this flight. The WW adds a slight richness whereas the Sauvignon Republic pulls no punches with its intense honoring of Sauvignon’s grassy side.
Woop Woop South Australia Verdelho 2006
Winemaker Ben Riggs. Produced in McLaren Vale 13.5% $10.99 at Bottle Barn Woop Woop
Sauvignon Republic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007
This [...]

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Steve Bird Marlborough Old Schoolhouse Vineyard Gewurztraminer 2006
P&B in Tauranga 13.5% $12.49 at Bottle Barn Steve Bird
Lucien Albrecht Alsace Gewurztraminer Reserve 2006
Winemaker and proprietor Jean Albrecht. Bottled in Orschwihr 13% $14.49 at Bottle Barn Albrecht

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