Vintages Release June 12, 2010
Kim Crawford ‘Pansy Rosé’ 2009
New Zealand $16.95 (650325) 13.5% alcohol
It’s the 9th vintage for this wine, dedicated to Auckland’s gay community. It’s Merlot based, slightly off-dry and absolutely delectable. Alluring aromas and mouth-watering flavours abound with freshly picked strawberry, spiced red currant and juicy tangy cherry among them. It’s medium weight with a generous texture and a mid-length refreshing aftertaste. A fine drop on its own, it has the structure and balance to pair up well with fish, chicken and deli-platter cuisine. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release June 26, 2010
Vinoptima ‘Reserve’ Gewürztraminer 2006
Ormond, Gisborne, North Island, New Zealand $53.65 (158840) 13.0 % alcohol
This is one of those rare hand-crafted wines made as a result of the vision and dedication to quality of someone with a goal in mind and knowing no bounds in achieving it. Owner Nick Nobilo’s that person and any serious collector will want this wine. Very much in the style of Grand Cru Alsace, especially Zind-Humbrecht, this is weighty, flavourful and profound. Dazzling aromas bound from the glass with honeyed notes, ginger-infused rose petal and lychee predominant. It’s off-dry on the palate and monumental finish with sweet honeyed pineapple, apricot and ripe succulent nectarine flavour. Should age another 15 years, drinking well 2015 and beyond. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release July 7, 2010
Bird ‘Old Schoolhouse Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $16.95 14.0% alcohol
This is very well priced and lip-smacking racy with generous ripe fruit flavour—a winning combination. Delivering the usual suspect aromas with citrus and herbaceous notes, it sets itself apart from usual on the palate delivering a crisp and juicy wash of refreshing lime sherbet and tangy-sweet lemon pie filling along with hints of succulent white peach. It’s balanced and refreshing on the mouth-watering finish—pairing perfectly with fish and seafood. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: August 21, 2010
Babich Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island $19.95 (216) 13.5% alcohol
This over-delivers in value and complexity, it’s balanced and well structured. There’s spice box, earthy tones and mixed dark berry fruit galore on the nose of this tidy offering. There’s purity of fruit throughout—a gorgeous wash of sweet red cherry and black plum—complemented by fine-grained tannin, a generous mouth feel and dry lingering finish. As good as Pinot Noir gets at this price; it’s fabulous. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: Fall 2010
Bird ‘big barrel’ Pinot Noir 2008
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand $25.95 13.5% alcohol
The ‘big barrel’ refers to the older 900 litre barrels, a.k.a. tonneaux, used in fermenting and ageing this wine—imparting less tannin. Alluring aromas abound with earthy tones and red berry fruit predominant. It’s deftly balanced, nicely textured and blossoms with rich fruit on the palate and lingering aftertaste—red currant, red cherry and savoury juicy black plum. There are hints of coffee on the dry refreshing finish. (Vic Harradine)
Vintages Release: October 16, 2010
Babich ‘Headwaters’ Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Marlborough, South Island $19.95 (183160) 13.0% alcohol
Opening with a tantalizing nose of passion fruit complemented by hints of key lime; all the fruit was sourced from a 5 hectare vineyard, certified organic. It’s light-bodied with a lovely wash of racy tang—lime sherbet, white grapefruit and lemongrass—persisting throughout the mid palate and zesty, focused, succinct finish. It’s the perfect dance partner to freshly shucked briny oysters with a dash of horseradish and Tabasco. (Vic Harradine)