Monthly Archives: February 2017

What’s in the glass tonight February 20th – Pinot Noir


mudhouse-pn-2012

From the Cellar: Mudhouse Pinot Noir Central Otago 2012 – $$$

Dark carmine. 12.5% alc.

This was recommended to me a while back by some writer, so I bought a brace for the Pool Room. Opening time…!

I saw a savoury and spicy note under a carpet of herb. Dark fruit, showing depth and intensity of bouquet, with cardboard and boiled lolly.

In the mouth the wine was full and rich. Ripe black cherries carried through to the end with no bitterness or loss of extract. Heat on the back palate. Just lovely.

Highly Recommended  – 90 points

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What’s in the glass tonight February 17th – St. Joseph


dauvergne-ranvier-st-joseph-2012

Dauvergne Ranvier St Joseph 2012 – $$$

Dark carmine colour. 12.5% alc.

Fairly average I have to say. Shows some varietal and terroir character, but is less round and plump than I had hoped. An entry-level St Joseph perhaps?

Recommended  – 86 points

What’s in the glass tonight February 13th – Chenin Blanc


demorgenzon-dmz-chenin-blanc-2016

DeMorgenzon DMZ Chenin Blanc Stellenbosch 2016 – $$

Brilliant pale gold. 14% alc.

A DeMorgenzon Reserve Chenin scored very well in a recent Decanter tasting. This isn’t that one. That one is available for quite few dollars more at my favourite independent wineseller…

This one has a warm and distinctive bouquet with toffee, oaky honey, and citrus notes.

Minerally golden fruit flavours to taste. Slightly crunchy mouthfeel. An off-bitter and dry finish. Simple and lean and quite long.

Recommended  – 86 points

What’s in the glass tonight February 11th – Nero d’Avola


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Santagostino Nero d’Avola Syrah Firriata 2012

L and I went to dinner Saturday night at the fantastic Cicio Cacio Osteria in Newtown. I love the food there, and the atmosphere. They like their salt – you are warned!

I had this fantastic wine there. On special. A 50/50 Nero d’Avola/Syrah blend from Sicilia.

Opulent and perfumed and engaging. Totally delicious.

Highly Recommended  – 92  points

What’s in the glass tonight February 9th – Syrah


sileni-cs-syrah-2016

Sileni Cellar Selection Syrah Hawkes Bay 2016 – $

Deep magenta colour. 12.5% alc. A value quaffer. L quite likes their Cabernet Franc Rosé.

This wine shows simple, soft fruit on the nose, with an itch of white pepper.

Soft ripe red plum flavours, medium tannins. Uncomplicated, and finishes long. Well-made for the price.

Commended  – 84 points

 

What’s in the glass tonight February 7th – Sauvignon Blanc


grava-sb-2015

Grava Sauvignon Blanc Martinborough 2015 – $$

Whole bunch pressed. Pale greenish straw. 12.5% alc.

Light and lifted, grassy, and finishes with a strong hint of licorice allsort

A smooth Savvy up front, slightly lean to taste, and minerally, with the expected lemon tang. Also evident is the typical lower North Island dialed-back SB acidity, but still is fresh and invigorating. Short.

Recommended  – 87 points

What’s in the glass tonight February 3rd – Chardonnay


Februarytw-chardonnay-2013-2

Tietjen Witters TW Reserve Chardonnay Gisborne 2013 – $$

Off the Ormond Road. Pale gold colour. 13.5% alc.

Dense and layered and very aromatic, with big, buttery and oaky characters in the bouquet. Mango and apricot fruit.

It showed some development in the mouth. Rich mouthfeel with oak and full malo. Flavours of butterscotch, lemon citrus, ginger and honey. A strong spicy oak finish.  An appealing and interesting Chardonnay.

Recommended  – 87 points

What’s in the glass tonight January 31st – Riesling


craggy-range-te-muna-riesling-2014

Craggy Range Te Muna Road Riesling Martinborough 2014 – $$

Pale gold colour. 11.5% alc.

Steely cut-thru on the nose, crisp and ticklish, with scents of lemon and apple and a bit of clover honey.

Off dry. Austere and linear, with crisp citrus fruit flavours, short and sharp. Young and somewhat one-dimensional, but good for the heat of a summer’s afternoon, something that this season has been in short supply of.

Commended  – 84 points

Regional Wines In-Store Mini NZ Pinot Noir Tasting – Jan 2017


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Clos Henri ‘Petit Clos’ Pinot Noir Marlborough 2015 -$23.55 Juicy & approachable, with structure and depth.

Kiritea ‘ Te Hera’ Pinot Noir Martinborough 2013  -$21.65 – savoury, peppery  & aromatic. A layered, typical Wairarapa style.

Folding Hill Pinot Noir, Bendigo Central Otago 2013 -$28.95 – Elegant, wild thyme notes

Neudorf ‘Tom’s Block’ Pinot Noir Nelson 2014 -$30.25 – A quality quaffer.

greystone-pinot-noir-2014

Greystone Pinot Noir Waipara 2014 – $33.95 – Hand-harvested from the Omihi Vineyard. Wild yeast ferment with 15% whole bunch to add complexity.

This wine was commented at the tasting as being ‘cerebral’. If you think about anything long enough it becomes cerebral. I thought it had a velvet quality on the nose, with spice, some herbal character, and scents of red roses. So there!

Smooth mouthfeel, with a powerful and dense core of statement fruit. Elegant. It finished hot. No thinness or metallic notes, just deliciousness throughout.

Highly Recommended. 91 Points