New Releases August 2010

Villa Maria Private Bin Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010

First of the new vintage Sauvignon’s this one is a classic Marlborough style. Bright fresh and fruity with loads of sweet passionfruit flavours and a long crisp finish, about $20 in NZ but on special at about $13.

Brown Brothers Milawa Vineyard Shiraz 2008

Enticing aromas of liquorice chocolate and spicy oak, rich ripe berry and plum flavours, smooth soft tannins and a long sweet finish, delicious drinking and ready now, about $19 in NZ.

Murdoch James Blue Rock Unoaked Chardonnay 2009

There may be no oak but this wine has plenty of character. Creamy and rich with juicy citrus fruit, hints of spice and toasted nuts, the extended lees contact has added plenty of palate weight and interest, a smart wine that is a perfect anytime drink, about $25 in NZ.
Also worth trying is the Blue Rock Pinot Noir 2008 soft smooth flowing style with elegance, about $40 in NZ, for more go to www.murdochjames.co.nz .

Johanneshof Cellars Vendage Tardive Gewurztraminer 2009

What a stunner, pineapple, honey and spice all beautifully presented with a perfect balance of acidity and sweetness, immensely drinkable not the least bit cloying would make a delicious aperitif or match with a slightly salty blue cheese, about $29 for 375ml in NZ for more go to www.johanneshof.co.nz .

Mt Beautiful Cheviot Hills Pinot Gris 2009

Intense bouquet of pear and quince, ripe juicy fruit flavours with substantial palate weight and alcohol, beautifully textured and medium sweet, about $24 in NZ, for stockists go to www.mtbeautiful.co.nz .

Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2009

Big rich full bodied wine, spicy oak and tropical fruit flavours with hints of cocoanut and butterscotch on the palate, long lingering finish, a young wine still developing, about $33 in NZ.

Gladstone Vineyard Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Sweet herbs and freshly squeezed grapefruit flavours, nice easy style, softer and more food friendly than most, good palate weight and a long crisp finish, about $23 in NZ for more go to www.gladstonevineyard.co.nz .