Category Archives: New Zealand

Summer whites

Posted on August 14, 2008 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Round the world with Pinot

Posted on May 1, 2008 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Casablanca Valley, Chile, Languedoc, New Zealand, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

Focus on Central Otago

Posted on April 24, 2008 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Central Otago, New Zealand, Pinot Noir | Leave a comment

Southern Pinot

Posted on April 24, 2008 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Madeira, Marlborough, Nelson, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Waipara | Leave a comment

Kiwi Sparkling

Posted on December 14, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sparkling Dry | Leave a comment

Bordeaux Grapes in the New World

Posted on December 7, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Australia, Cabernet Sauvignon, California, Margaret River, Merlot, New Zealand, Petit Verdot, South Australia, Western Australia | Leave a comment

Critter by a Cloudy Bay

Posted on December 7, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

The Saint

Posted on December 3, 2007 by RJ

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 … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Secret Sauvignon

Posted on November 26, 2007 by RJ

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

Posted in Martinborough, New Zealand, Sauvignon Blanc | Leave a comment

Pinot North and South

Posted on November 16, 2007 by RJ

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. Tasted a year later in December ’08, … Continue reading →

Posted in California, Central Otago, Mornington Peninsula, New Zealand, Pinot Noir, Russian River Valley, Victoria | Leave a comment