Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand – Marlborough  18/20Brilliant, very pale straw colour with light green hues, near colourless, this is tightly concentrated with intense pungent passionfruit and mineral aromas on the nose. Dry, crisp and zingy, the mouthwatering acidity is a prominent feature, enlivening the citrus, gooseberry and tropical fruit flavours. Tightly bound, the flavours are rich with a luscious aspect very appealing. The wine is very fine textured and the palate carries a long and racy finish with mineral notes lingering. Fruit from a single vineyard in the Rapaura district, cool-fermented with 10% in French oak to13.4% alc. and 4.3 g/L rs, the wine given 3 months lees contact. Match this zesty, mouthwatering and finely lush Sauvignon Blanc with seafood, poultry and salads with goat cheese over the next 2-3 years. 2,500 cases made. 18.0/20 Feb 2012 RRP $24.95
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Pinot Gris from New Zealand – Marlborough16.5+/20Bright straw-yellow colour with the faintest hint of a blush with light golden hues. This has a tight, very aromatic, lifted nose of youthful fermentation esters with notes of white peaches, pears and minerals, the bouquet very clear and fresh. Dry to taste, delicate flavours of white stonefruits, flowers with notes of perfume and spices are lifted with esters elements. The flavours are tightly bound with elevated acidity enhancing the linearity of the palate, leading to a steely, crisp and slender finish. Single-vineyard wine, fruit from the Rapaura district, cool-fermented in stainless-steel, a small portion in French oak to 12.9% alc. and 5.1 g/L rs. This is still very youthful and needs a few months for the esters to settle and for the fruit to assert itself. It is an elegant and stylishly trim Pinot Gris to serve with Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese dishes over the next 3-4 years. 1,200 cases made. 16.5+/20 Feb 2012 RRP $24.95
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Pinot Noir from New Zealand – Marlborough18.5-/20Fruit from the ‘Old Schoolhouse Vineyard', Omaka, given a cold soak, then fermented to 13.2% alc. and aged 9 months in 900 L ‘Big Barrels'. The vinification employs the ‘Vernou Roll' system where the barrel is gently rolled by hand. Brilliant ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, good depth. This is elegant and tight, the bouquet very refined, showing pure red berry fruit, dark red florals and nuances of raspberry liqueur that intensify in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly proportioned, the dark red berry fruits a little restrained, but with subtle richness that is enhanced by elevated, racy acidity and fine-grained tannins that result in a silky and slippery texture. Delicate oak spice and savoury nuances emerge and linger on a sustained, dry finish. This is a refined and near ethereal Pinot Noir with finesse and fine mouthfeel. Match with poultry and pork over the next 5-6+ years. 1,100 cases made. 18.5-/20 Feb 2012 RRP $36.95
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