Fruit from four sites in the Rapaura and Dillon's Point districts of the Wairau Valley, fermented to 12.9% alc. and 3 g/L rs, the wine aged on lees 5-9 months. Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with light green hues, pale on rim. The bouquet is light with fresh, cooler spectrum capsicum, gooseberry and herb aromas along with some green bean development notes, the nose with some depth. Dry to taste, this is slender in proportion with tightly bound gooseberry and green bean flavours. An underlying textured line provides drive and mouthfeel, and brisk acidity enhances the liveliness. The wine finishes crisp and dry with moderately sustained flavours of herbs and gooseberries. This is a cooler, crisp and textured Sauvignon Blanc that is just beginning to show some secondary interest. Match with seafood, salads and goats cheese over the next 2 years. 16.0+/20 Aug 2012 RRP $16.99

Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour with some purple hues, lighter on rim. The bouquet is soft and a little reserved, but showing very clean, fresh, ripe dark red berry fruit aromas with some confectionary-like youthful fermentation esters. Dry and medium-bodied, ripe, luscious and juicy fruit flavours of red berries, jam and red florals fill the mouth with warmth and generosity. The extraction is modest and allows the fruitiness to feature. There is a good core of fruit which carries through to a fruity, lifted finish. This is a sweet-fruited, juicy and generous, easy drinking red to serve with pizza, pasta and barbecued food over the next 2-3+ years. A VdeT Castilla La Mancha wine from Spain, 100% Tempranillo with an average age of 20 y.o., stainless-steel fermented to 13.0% alc. 16.5+/20 Aug 2012 RRP $14.95

Garnacha fruit from bush wines with an average age of 40 y.o. from the Valdepenas and Castilla la Mancha regions, fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. Very full, dark, deep, black-hued purple-red colour. The nose is elegantly proportioned with slightly shy aromas of ripe, dark raspberry and boysenberry fruit aromas, fresh and aromatically lifted. Dry and medium-full bodied, this has approachably lush and juicy rich fruit flavours of raspberries and boysenberries. The fruit is well concentrated, but up-front and easy to appreciate. Fine, supple tannins provide an elegant backbone and good drive leading to a moderately long, lingering finish of rich and sweet fruit flavours. This is a supple and approachable ripe-fruited red with fine textures to match with Mediterranean inspired cuisine over the next 3-4 years. 17.0+/20 Aug 2012 RRP $14.95