Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2011

The Blind River Winery is located in the Awatere Valley in Marlborough region. The famous Awatere River divides the valley as it winds its way to the east coast. The closest major town is Blenheim which sounds more like a pumpkin than a town.

 

Blind River Sauvignon Blanc 2011

 

What increases the enjoyment level on Sav Blanc? For me it is mouth feel or texture as so many are fermented quickly without lees contact or barrel fermentation. This wine sees both and the mouth feel is beautiful. It is a little creamer as well but the acidity and flavour are bright and zesty. It wasn’t what I expected as I was thinking ‘just another typical blanc but it was much more than that. Think lemon grass, gooseberries with a fruit or tropical nature with zest on the back-palate pulling everything together.

 

Alcohol: 13%

Price: $18

Rated: 90

 

Drink: Now – 2016

3 Tales Sauvignon Blanc 2012

3 Tales Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Lemon grass, dried herbs and quava with a little sugared lemon. There is so much fruit it hits you with a hammer which is typical for the variety. At this price it is a lovely cafe style that offers something a little bit different. When compared to the 2011 version, this is a little too in your face but I still like it a lot.

Alcohool: 12.5%
Price: $15
Rated: 84
Drink: Now - 2015

Redoubt Hill Vineyard Single Vineyard Riesling 2011

This wine comes from a small producer in Nelson in New Zealand. All of their vineyards are dry grown and treated roughly to force the vines to push to produce higher quality. The Nelson district is situated at the top of the south island with the main industries in the area comprising; fishing, tourism, horticulture and timber.

Redoubt Hill Vineyard Single Vineyard Riesling 2011

When I want a crunchy Riesling with plenty of minerality, I would reach for this beast. Imagine running through an orchard with lemons and limes hurling towards your head and then a breeze of spring blossom gently wafts on by. The bouncy sweet mid-palate flavours are enhanced by a fine dry backbone of acid. I like the message and I love the drive as it combines the Australia dryness with more textural European style.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $35
Rated: 89+
Drink: Now - 2023
Importer: Eurocentric Wine

Ra Nui Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Ra Nui Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Most of the Ra Nui wines are crafted from their Estate fruit which on tasting this is pretty damn good. Their is snow peas, lemon grass and ice crystals on the palate plus a pleasing textural element which is not normally associated with this variety at this price point.  It would put this wine half way between Greywacke or Dog Point at your typical Sav Blanc from this area. Just yum.

Alcohol: 13.4%
Price: $19
Rated: 87
Drink: Now or over the next few years

De Bortoli La Bossa Sauvignon Blanc 2012

This is a 95 percent  Australian wine with 5 percent coming from New Zealand. You have to love the state of the Sauvignon market at the moment which allows for such wines top me produced. It is a win win for the consumer.

De Bortoli La Bossa Sauvignon Blanc 2012

The nose is ultra shy to begin with but soon flavours of passionfruit, snnow peas and lemon grass come to the fore. The flavours pass quickly on the palate which means I have to take another sip again. At under ten bucks this is perfect but I think I liked the 2011 more.

Alcohol: 11.4%
Price: $9
Rated: 80
Drink: Now

South Island Sauvignon Blanc 2012

The South Island label is a Woolworths home brand wine.

South Island Sauvignon Blanc 2012

The wine comes across as rather simple and short and doesn't really go much further than that. The flavour of passionfruit concentrate sorbet is nice but a little too sweet for my liking as it is not balanced out by acidity. I guess this is the sort of wine that could be consumed easily if I didn't think about it at all.

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: $16
Rated: 78
Drink: Now

Trout Valley Reserve Pinot Gris 2012

The town of Nelson is a buzz with people and things to do. The 42,000 residents deriving most of their income from tourism, fisheries, forestry and viticulture. Nelson as a region is relatively small when comapred to Marlborough 22,587 hectares, Hawkes Bay 4,841 hectares, Otago 1787 hectares, Gisborne 1617 hectares and Nelson 813 hectares. The main focus for the region is aromatic white wines with a little Syrah and Pinot Noir taking up the rear.


Trout Valley Reserve Pinot Gris 2012

On the nose this was ultra ripe and smelled like a full on Pinot Gris which is definitely a good thing. Once I put the wine on my palate those ultra ripe flavours of slightly squishy pear, apple sauce and Asian spices comes marching in. The flavours are a little too broad but the texture is beautiful at this price. When I tasted this I didn't know the price so I was pleasantly surprised when I found it out.


Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $28
Rated: 84
Drink: Its ready now

Pasquale 16 Riesling 2010

Pasquale was first established in 2004 wot the winery being built in the Waitaki Valley in 2007. The Waitaki Valley is situated in the north of the Central Otago region which means that it is prime Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Riesling country. 

Pasquale 16 Riesling 2010

New Zealand is producing a lot of high quality rizza’a with a Germanic slant. This wine balances those sweet flavours with mesmerising acidity and texture. The entry of the wine is the best as it gives everything up front. It is the sort of wine that would work brilliantly with French style entrees or Asian flavours. The flavours of lime and freshly ripened pears match the lemon blossom and poached apples nicely and could cut through the spiciness of Asian dishes while still managing to take second fiddle to the experience.

Alcohol: 11%

Price: $28

Rated: 87

Drink: Now – 2025

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2012

Villa Maria Private Bin Sauvignon Blanc 2012

For such a cheap wine the entry of the flavours is rather snazzy. The initial bang is of kiwifruits, passionfruit sorbet, snowpeas and gooseberries before a set of sugar crystals hits the mid-palate. Once on the mid-palate the flavours peel themselves off before they disappear. Its a nice wine and goes to show that you can pick up easy drinking wines with a bit of complexity at around 10 bucks.  This would be beautiful to have a dozen during the month of December as people are always going to drop around for a quick merry Christmas tipple.

Alcohol: 13%
Price: $10
Rated: 84
Drink: This year

Hunters Pinot Noir 2010

Marlborough is more renowned for its Sauvignon Blanc rather than its Pinot Noir which means that many good quality wines from this area become a little devalued. This means good buying for everyone. This winery is family own and run but the winemaking is done by an Australian fellow. Gary Duke has worked at Hanging Rock before he ventured over the Tasman Sea which means he has had his fare share of cool climate vintages. While this is the first time I have tried a Hunters wine I was rather impressed with it.

 Hunters Pinot Noir 2010

Medium bodied with a little funk of the nose. The funk is only minor and seems to add interest and intrigue while the flavours of cherry and spice leads the way. The flavours meld well with the light tannin and there is only a minor hiccup on the back palate. For the money this is cool climate drinking at a good price.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $25
Rated: 86
Drink: Now - 2015
Importer: Red & White

Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

The Nanny Goat label is available through most larger or quality independent wine stores. The Pinot Noir variety is difficult to grow as the skins are very thin which makes them susceptible to sunburn. In the right hands this style of wine can be mesmerising. The Central Otago versions are generally a bit bigger and can come at a significant cost. This wine is neither of those at it is medium bodied and under 30 bucks.

Nanny Goat Vineyard Pinot Noir 2010

This has everything that a Pinot lover would want as it is no more than medium bodied with flavours of fresh cut herbs and cherry pips covered in summer flowers. The wine comes across as a romantic in that it would sing you a love sonnet all day long. These beautiful notes enchant the senses in a warm and loving manner which is perfect for this time of year.

Alcohol: 13.4%
Price: $29
Rated: 89
Drink: Now - 2018
Importer: Red & White

Totara Pinot Noir 2010

Central Otago is so picturesque and would have to be one of the most beautiful areas to visit. If you are thinking of a holiday then I suggest that you get on a plane and head on over. Make sure you visit Arrow town as his has some funky restaurants and gorgeous buildings plus it is only a stones throw away from the adventure capital of New Zealand. Here is a photo of Arrowtown which I think does even do the town justice it is so mesmerising.

                                                    Image from goldenfleece.co.nz

Totara Pinot Noir 2010

Much lighter than I was expecting but the palate weight doesn't reduce the enjoyment factor at all. It is the style of wine that I could see myself drinking with a light pasta meal on a wednesday night.  The flavours pop out of the glass with such vigor it reminds me of a hip hop dancer. The very good lenth of flavour are typically Central Otago in nature but the mid-palate is a little more extractive in nature than I would expect. There is a drive of acidity under the fruit pulling the flavors forward and up which I rather like. Now here is the thing. The wines price is very low in price and the quality to very good which makes this wine an easy buy and try choice.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $16
Rated: 85
Drink: Now - 2017



3 Tales Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Marlborough experienced a cool 2011 vintage which is perfect if you are after a more restrained style of Sauvignon Blanc.

3 Tales Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Even thought the first thing I notice about the wine is the fruit flavours of gooseberries and passionfruit, the wine is much more than that. In fact the profile is not overt at all, its more introverted and thoughtful than normal for this variety. It is the type of wine that doesn't look good too cold or too hot but if served just right will surprise the senses. In the end a little chalkiness added a bit of interest and enjoyment which would make it brilliant to drink as the weather warms up a bit.

Alcohol: 12.5%
Price: RRP $18 but you can find this for $13 which is a steal
Rated: 87
Drink: Now - 2015
Importer: De Bortoli

Felton Road Pinot Noir's & 2008 Chardonnay

Felton Road Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2011

Tight as hell at this stage but equally as powerful.  Felton road's base Pinot Noir always delivers much to be enjoyed with a little extra twig action this year.  Don't get me wrong, the wine is still chock full of fruit in the form of cherry, spice, blueberries and dried rose petals with a touch of thyme making its move in the back ground.  The wine has beautiful length and poise but is held back by a little alcohol heat on the back palate.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $56
Rated: 92
Drink: 2015 - 2020
Importer: Red + White

Felton Road Block 3 Pinot Noir 2011

I have never tasted a block 3 before and I can see why this sells out quickly. This tastes like it has been injected with wild herbs and dark cherries before a mouth puckering set of tannins take over. The wine has layers of flavours and texture but it is a little to coiled up tight for full enjoyment at this stage of it's development. Watch out for this one in a few years time as it will rock your world.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $95
Rated: 95+
Drink: 2017 - 2026
Importer: Red + White

Felton Road Block 2 Chardonnay 2008

The main feature of these Felton Road wines is that they are reserved and cerebral in their approach. What happens here is that there are elements of richness mixed with a lightness of weight. Once the wine is open I can smell caramelised nuts and smoked peach before an army of grapefruit marches in to take over. The mid-palate is rich as hell but everything finishes light and vibrant. Drink now? NO!

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $55
Rated: 92+
Drink: Give it four years.
Importer: Red + White

Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2010

Central Otago has been one of the most talked about areas in the New World for the production of quality Pinot Noir. So much so that everyone has stood up and taken notice. The area is a haven for cool climate winemaking so when this came across my desk, I immediately took out a huge glass.

Quartz Reef Bendigo Estate Pinot Noir 2010

This is a beast of a Pinot with wild flavours of field plums and fresh picked cherries before a hulk of an oak derived tannin structure and warmth from the alcohol kicks in on the mid palate. If the alcohol can work itself out then you have something really special on my hands but at this stage the two areas of distraction just took over for me. This is still a very good wine with a hefty price tag from an area that commands big dollars for entry.


Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $80
Rated: 87
Drink: Not now
Importer: Red + White

La Bossa Sauvignon Blanc 2011

De Bortoli produces this wine with fruit from South Eastern Australia and a touch of New Zealand stuff thrown in.  I think this is a good marketing move as New Zealand produce some very popular drinking wines from this variety with a unique flavour profile.  This wine definitely tastes like it has a bit of New Zealander in it.

La Bossa Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Everything component in this wine comes in little boxes. A little of passion fruit riding on top of a swirl of snow pea purée before a dollop of gooseberry plops in at the end. Nothing takes over and dominates which makes this rather good, especially at this price point. If I had to get down to the nitty gritty then I would say that the flavours after the initial attack the flavours become a bit wishy washy but hay for under the ten buck mark, who cares.

Alcohol: 11.5%
Price: $9
Rated: 83
Drink: Now

Seven Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2011

New Zealand, like Australia, is going through a wine glut so I thought I should write something down about what happens to wine prices and the quality of wines during this period. In the lead up to the glut, market pressures suggest that people should plant more grape vines to satisfy the growing demand for consumption but generally too many people get involved and end up planting the variety in areas that wouldn't support quality production. A few years down the track and there is a huge amount of wine on the market which results in the price falling for the cost of grapes and the end bottle price for the consumers.  This can be a great thing for consumers as they can purchase some quality wines at amazing prices but buyers be warned.  In many cases the quality of so many other wines can drop.  Why? Well, if people want to survive in the industry they need to change how they produce their wines.  If the price of the bottle has dropped they may need to increase the amount of wine they produce to allow for the monetary short fall.  The bigger players may increase the amount of their own brands as they can buy in bulk which also puts pressure on the small guys. I'm not saying that is a bad thing but I think that all of the choices that have been made in recent times aren't useful for the long term success of the industry. It is only short sighted short term profit for a small number of players.  I foresee that the wine industry has 3 to 8 years of hardship before they reach the light at the end of the tunnel.

Seven Degrees Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Nine bucks a bottle and you will need to drink it fast as the flavours run like the wind off of your tongue. you will get a bit of passionfruit but not enough to satisfy a true New Zealand Savy Blanc lover.

Alcohol: 12%
Price: $9
Rated: 75
Drink: Now

Palliser Estate Pinot Noir 2009

Palliser Estate runs their vineyard utilising environmentally friendly principles.  What does that really mean? They have introduced sheep and livestock as their weed control team, thus reducing the use of diesel, electricity and chemical sprays. Furthermore they only use recyclable material for packaging while using e-mails for distribution of material to mailing list customers. I think this is the way all wineries should go as it reduces the impact on the environment.  From a marketing perspective it also increases the quality of the story that the winery can tell about its product.

Palliser Estate Pinot Noir 2009

My god this is light on in the flavour department.  It almost tastes like strawberries and cream on a warm summers day in England around Wimbledon time.  There is a hit of savoury cherry but I had to go looking for it.  What this does provide is a lovely long length of light flavours and a touch of tannin that holds my interest. What was most surprising was the alcohol level and its absence of impact on the flavours.   I was thinking this was 13.5 and it was actually 14.5%. Do I really love this wine? No but it does get me coming back for seconds.

Alcohol: 14.5%
Price: $42
Rated: 86
Drink: Now - 2016
Importer: Negociants

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Greywacke keeps on producing wines of style and funk that are both highly regional yet offer so much more to the wine world. Kevin believes that part of his success comes from the grey sandstone rocks that these vines are grown in.  If that was solely the case I would be going around transplanting these rocks into my vineyard.  What Kevin doesn't say his how much craft and soul he manages to weave into his wines that is totally different from what you normally get from this variety in this region.

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc 2011

The catch word for the day is restraint! A lot of Aussie winemakers say that the New Zealand versions are over the top but you couldn't say that about this wine as you can feel each flavour is trying to burst out of this wine but is coiled up in coolness and verve. It is like a world class poker player not letting anything go yet you can feel that he or she could pounce at any stage. There is power to this wine but it controlled perfectly with a tort acid line while every flavour fills your mouth and leaves you refreshed. For the money this is very hard to beat.

Alcohol: 13.5%
Price: $22
Rated: 89+
Drink: Now or over the next three or four years
Importer: Negociants

Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

Fromm winery is situated in the north of the South island in New Zealand in a town called Blenheim.  This area is one of the driest and sunniest in New Zealand which has made it easy to produce distinctive Sauvignon Blanc wines.  This winery has focused on producing Pinot Noir from many single vineyards within the area.

Fromm Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

God these New Zealand Pinots taste ultra cool which is more reminiscent of French Pinot than the Aussie version just across the Tasman Sea. This almost tastes crunchy with a huge amount of damp earth running through the core of this wine. The earth is beautifully mixed with plum and sour cranberries that transition from flavour to flavour calmly in a lingering manner.  The medium bodied palate is both silky and rambunctious which adds to the overall appeal of this gorgeous wine. This is the sort of wine that testifies to the high quality that New Zealand makes look so easy.

Alcohol: 14%
Price: $65
Rated: 93
Drink: Now - 2019
Importer: Negociants