NEW ZEALAND

 

Over the last few years New Zealand wines have become more focussed in what they are trying to achieve – both as a national identity and in regional character too. One of the great growth areas has been in quality Pinot Noirs and as many of you know I find such wines very hard to resist.

 

Alpha Domus, Hawkes Bay , North Island

Alpha Domus has long provided the backbone of our New Zealand range with a benchmark Sauvignon Blanc and well as great reds. The Viognier is new and is fabulous.

2004	Sauvignon Blanc, Alpha Domus	bottle	£9.25
	Big gooseberry fruit – classic style.
2004	Unoaked Chardonnay, Alpha Domus	bottle	£9.50
	Toasty but not buttery, in fact quite Burgundian. Great finesse and structure.
2004	Viognier, Alpha Domus	bottle	£11.99
	Aromatic, peaches, apricots & asparagus flavours – highly recommended.
2002	Merlot-Cabernet Sauvignon, Alpha Domus	bottle	£10.25
	Soft, almost sweet ripe fruit. Lovely balance. Great picnic red.
2001	The Navigator, Alpha Domus	bottle	£11.99
	More serious stuff than the Merlot-Cab – more oak, more tannin & more structure. Very well made Bordeaux blend.
2001	The Aviator, Alpha Domus	bottle	£25.50
	Similar grape blend to The Navigator but more rigorous grape selection, more concentration, more oak, more everything!

 

Red Wine Rosé Wine White Wine [O] – Organic [B] - Biodynamic

Tindalls, Marlborough , South Island

Very well-priced well-made wine from . We’ll have their Pinot Noir (yes another one!) before too long.

2004	Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, Tindall	bottle	£9.75
	Classic gooseberry & elderflower character. Vibrant, unpretentious, positive flavours.

TerraVin, Marlborough , South Island

A new project founded in 1998 by Mike & Jo Eaton in the Omaka Valley in the heart of Marlborough . Very classic Sauvignon Blanc and exciting Pinot Noir.

2004	Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, TerraVin	bottle	£11.99
	Archetypal “gooseberry & capsicum” character. More structure and complexity than the Tindalls.
2003	Omaka Valley Pinot Noir, TerraVin	bottle	£18.75
	Intense aromas of black cherry overlaid with a delicate floral note. Full, rich, lingering palate with plenty of texture. Potential to mature for 2-3 years.

Felton Road & Cornish Point, Central Otago, South Island

Central Otago is the world’s most southerly wine region and New Zealand ’s only one with a continental climate. Those of you who came to owner Nigel Greening’s recent eye-opening tasting are already spreading the gospel. This is, quite frankly, the best Pinot Noir you are likely to find outside Burgundy for a sensible price. The Chardonnay (and Riesling when available) is pretty darned good too. For a convincing discourse on screwcap bottles see Nigel’s website www.feltonroad.co.nz/news/stelvin.asp . All wines are Biodynamic.

2007	Barrel Fermented Chardonnay, Felton Road [B]	bottle	£19.50
	Very Burgundian – elegant balance of fruit & oak with refreshing acidity. Ideally keep 1-2 years.
2007	Felton Road Pinot Noir [B]	bottle	£25.50
	Lovely ripe tannin structure with a little smoky oak character. Ideally keep 3-4 years.
2008	Block 5 Pinot Noir, Felton Road [B]	bottle	£TBA
	We will have a small allocation later in the year

 

Red Wine Rosé Wine White Wine [O] – Organic [B] - Biodynamic