Chardonnay from New Zealand – Hawke’s Bay  16.5+/20Bright straw-yellow colour with some depth and pale on rim, this has a fresh and elegant nose of stonefruit and citrus fruits, along with notes of butter and flint, and nuances of toast and nuts. Dry and medium-bodied, the palate has elevated acidity and tightly bound citrus and stonefruit flavours with good dive and tension. The palate is restrained and slender in proportion, with crisp textures, subtle creamy barrel-ferment notes showing, leading to a fine, textural finish with flint, minerals and acidity showing. This is a youthful, fruit-driven and racy Chardonnay that will be a match with seafood over the next 3-4 years. Clones 15, 95 and 96, WBP and barrel-fermented partially by indigenous yeasts to 14.0% alc., the wine aged for 9 months in 12% new French oak. 210 cases made. 16.5+/20 Nov 2011 RRP $35.00
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Syrah from New Zealand – Hawke’s Bay18.5-/20‘Heritage' clone fruit hand-picked, given a cold soak, and 10% whole bunch fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 20 months in 33% new French oak. Very dark, deep, black-red, near-saturated colour, youthful in appearance. The bouquet is aromatic with lifted wild black fruit and black pepper aromas along with spices, oak, herb and floral elements, the nose quite elegant but with depth. Medium-bodied, this has intense and finely presented black berry, plum, black pepper and liquorice flavours with spice notes enlivened by bright acidity. The penetrating flavour profile is a feature. The tannins are very fine-grained and form a delicately texture core and palate line. This has concentration with finesse and nervosity, the wine finishing with a sustained, spicy finish. Serve this elegant, lively Syrah with Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 5-7+ years. Only 70 cases made. 18.5-/20 Nov 2011 RRP $45.00
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