*Red Wines now published* Wine NZ 2007 tasting debauchery

[Craig(NZ)]

Wine NZ is hailed as the biggest tasting of NZ wines under one roof in the world. It certainly is enough to give a bloke no chance of really scratching the surface.

This year WineNZ was missing many big name regulars. No Cloudy Bay, no St Clair, no Palliser Estate, no Pegasus Bay, no Fromm La Strada, no Felton Road no Mills Reef just to name a few. Add this to the fact that many just never attend or very seldom attend and you reach a less than random subset of producers. Most of them are big companies with huge marketing budgets or small companies looking to get there brand “out there”. As a result there were probably a few less absolutely stunning wines this year as in some other years.

To balance this out was the first of the 2007 white wines which certainly are exceptional. The show exhibited a better line up of NZ Pinot Gris than I have ever seen. Lovers of this extremely trendy variety will have to be quick to secure some of the gorgeous wines that will begin to trickle onto the market. Sauvignon Blanc from 2007 looks at least as good as 2006.

There were some very good Pinot Noirs although on balance I think last years bunch was a tad better. Bordeaux styled red wines always seem to suffer in this type of tasting Forum; they are hard work though we did come across a couple of excellent examples. Syrah seems to be getting more and more refined as New Zealand gains its identity in this variety. The promise here continues.

Check out www.kiwiwinefanclub.co.nz for complete commentary and Part 1 AND NOW PART 2 of our tasting notes write up.

Cheers!!



Craig

[Bacchus]

My goodness Craig its almost readable your use of the English language bring tears to my eyes (of pain). Its almost like you have plagarised the dictionary but made up words as well.

I think that you should drink more wine (if thats at all possible) because as you know practice makes perfect.

And more to the point when are you going to write up Saturday night, you know the night that contained the second growth bordeaux, the 98 orlando lawsons, the 94 henschke mount edlestone, blackridge pinot noir and some other stuff that I can't remember because I was half past wasted.

huhhuhhuh

[Attila]

Excellent report...is that 2005 FOXES ISLAND MarlboroughChardonnay available in Australia? Anyone knows how much is it going for retail and who's got it? Looks very exciting.
Cheers,
Attila

[Craig(NZ)]

Atilla.

I cant even seem to source it in Auckland so I dont like your chances!! Im ordering ex winery today. One of the best things about it is it is only $150 for a 6 pack

Aussie Distributer. Could find out there who stocks it I guess if Gavin doesnt

AUSTRALIA
NEW SOUTH WALES & ACT
Premium Regional Wine Agencies
Telephone: +61 2 9525 5887
Fax: +61 2 9525 5868
Email: steve@prwagencies.com.au
Website: www.prwagencies.com.au

[SueNZ]

I cant even seem to source it in Auckland ....

How hard did you look?

First Glass Wines & Spirits. Foxes Island Chardonnay 2005 $34.99.
This was 5 stars and in the Cuisine Top 10 earlier in the year.

[Craig(NZ)]

How hard did you look?

First Glass Wines & Spirits. Foxes Island Chardonnay 2005 $34.99.
This was 5 stars and in the Cuisine Top 10 earlier in the year.

Just rang fwdc and vintage and cruised websites (GG/FWDC/FG/Lovrich/WD and FTWW) in amongst my day job responsibilities. Mind you I save $50-60 getting a 6 pack from the winery (incl freight) over retail prices so its a no brainer!!

Yeah its a scrummy wine thats for sure and would whip any $25 chardonnay I can think of.

[SueNZ]

.... the first of the 2007 white wines which certainly are exceptional. The show exhibited a better line up of NZ Pinot Gris than I have ever seen. Lovers of this extremely trendy variety will have to be quick to secure some of the gorgeous wines that will begin to trickle onto the market.

I am of the same opinion as you of the PG's - and amazingly we didn't even manage to taste any of the same wines. I guess that is because I was looking at more of the new producers instead of the tried and trusted.

Clayridge Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 - fragrant, hint of smoke, raisin bread influence, bright citrussy flare to finish and hints of orange blossom.
Brunton Road Gisborne Pinot Gris 2007 - Neutral on nose, oily textured, green apple and just ripe pear, slightly herbaceous with a dry, steely finish. First crop fruit.
Koura Bay Sharkstooth Awatere Pinot Gris 2007 - bright fat style, weighty palate, rose petal, crunchy pear, hints of stonefruit. Delicious.
Trinity Hill Hawkes Bay Pinot Gris 2007 - Aromatic, full-bodied, subtle pear and hints of stonefruit, citrussy sweetness to finish. Long, clean and rich.
Takatu Matakana Pinot Gris 2007 - Bone dry with fruit weight and concentration, hints of rose petal and a honeysuckle nuance to finish. Exciting.
Two Rivers Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 - Aromatic, a little honeyed with a rich, spicy palate and a floral finish. Clean, full-bodied. This is the one with Riesling in the blend.
Rimu Grove 'Bronte' Marlborough Pinot Gris 2007 - pears, hints of stonefruit and spice, with a touch of residual sugar adding lusciousness and an apple strudel finish. Awatere fruit.

Website Link

[Craig(NZ)]

I am of the same opinion as you of the PG's - and amazingly we didn't even manage to taste any of the same wines. I guess that is because I was looking at more of the new producers instead of the tried and trusted.

Yes agree to a point. My strategy was to try the big names on day one and some new wineries on day two, but whatever strategy I employ never seems to be followed! I think I will have to do the full 3 days next year. I think i will go to that fwdc tasting which features many of the big names that skipped winenz this year. Just need to find out if the big name bottles are being opened or if it is a cut down set of ranges.

Lance tried a few more left field places, still awaiting his notes

[Craig(NZ)]

I think i will go to that fwdc tasting which features many of the big names that skipped winenz this year.

cut down line up and not new releases so im not going

[Craig(NZ)]

Hi Guys. Red wine notes from WineNZ now published on kwfc

Cheers