Looking for a special NZ wine

[mgbridges]

Hi folks,

I haven't been around the forum for quite a while. I seem to have been concentrating on beer for most of the last year!

Anyway, my in-laws are currently visiting NZ from the UK. They have a friend back in the UK who has a substantial wine cellar. He has sent them with orders to find an NZ wine that he is unlikely to have heard of (but should be able to get, given access to good wine merchants), buy 2 bottles (at his expense) and drink them with us!

So, I'm looking for recommendations. If you were to choose any one up-and-coming NZ wine, which would it be?

Cheers,

Martin

[cuttlefish]

Their Grange equivalent is called "Tom"

If money is no problem, then get a couple of those. Must be about $200 a bottle ?

[Craig(NZ)]

huh?

does it need to be available in UK or here in NZ?

perhaps a Puriri Hills Reserve if he is a bdx fan? Would fit the bill as an up and coming.

Craggy Range Sophia?
Trinity Homage Syrah?

just depends how much $$ ya wanna spend and what style of wine he likes

[mgbridges]

It's not a case of "money no object" but we can't get TOO silly. I'd say we're looking in the $50-$100 range.

Martin

[Craig(NZ)]

Their Grange equivalent is called "Tom"

If money is no problem, then get a couple of those. Must be about $200 a bottle ?

Id go puriri reserve or sophia or coleraine over Tom. Aparently the 05 Tom is really good yet to be released but the current versions havent wowed me. As said it is expensive too.

Tom isnt exactly up and coming either with first vintage being 1995

[mgbridges]

does it need to be available in UK or here in NZ?

Both.

just depends how much $$ ya wanna spend and what style of wine he likes

Unfortunately I don't have a huge amount to go on in terms of his tastes, so I figure I'll get something I like! I tend to favour style over substance (i.e. stylish, complex wines rather than fruit-driven blockbusters). Price range is $50-$100, I reckon.

Martin

[Bick]

Vintage Wine Specialists in Auckland have a 6 litre bottle of 1998 Providence - I bet that would impress

If you're after something a bit more sensible - maybe Dry River Pinot Noir? Hard to find, but there's usually stock at either Caro's or Maison Vauron. Of course - that may be too well known, in which case how about one of the new Escarpment single vineyard Pinots? Kupe or Voyager should do the trick.

[rooman]

Vintage Wine Specialists in Auckland have a 6 litre bottle of 1998 Providence - I bet that would impress

If you're after something a bit more sensible - maybe Dry River Pinot Noir? Hard to find, but there's usually stock at either Caro's or Maison Vauron. Of course - that may be too well known, in which case how about one of the new Escarpment single vineyard Pinots? Kupe or Voyager should do the trick.

I hope their single vineyards are better than their main drop. I have tried it several times and just don't like it. Unless you can get an old Stonyridge Larose, I would target one of the Felton Rd Pinots or one from Martinborough Vineyards. Also see if you can locate if you can get a Te Mata Colarine. For a very good chardonnay, try the Kumeu River Chard (not the Mates).

[Craig(NZ)]

All good suggestions if you are looking for "classics" but if the brief is

"unlikely to have heard of" and "up and coming" and considering he has an english palate vs an "aussie jam drinker" id go

04 or 05 Puriri Hills Reserve. $65ish. pm me if you want some pointers on where to buy it.

My latest tasting notes here:

http://www.kiwiwinefanclub.co.nz/content/view/426/42/

[SueNZ]

So, I'm looking for recommendations. If you were to choose any one up-and-coming NZ wine, which would it be?

Cheers,

Martin

Rua Whenua Reserve Merlot Cabernet Franc 2005 - Te Awanga, Hawkes Bay
Probably too cheap at $27.50 a bottle.
www.ruawhenua.co.nz.

I also hear the Providence Matakana Syrah is sensational - a respected 'Master' says it is the best Syrah he has ever tasted from New Zealand.

Cheers,
Sue

[griff]

Vintage Wine Specialists in Auckland have a 6 litre bottle of 1998 Providence - I bet that would impress

If you're after something a bit more sensible - maybe Dry River Pinot Noir? Hard to find, but there's usually stock at either Caro's or Maison Vauron. Of course - that may be too well known, in which case how about one of the new Escarpment single vineyard Pinots? Kupe or Voyager should do the trick.

I hope their single vineyards are better than their main drop. I have tried it several times and just don't like it. Unless you can get an old Stonyridge Larose, I would target one of the Felton Rd Pinots or one from Martinborough Vineyards. Also see if you can locate if you can get a Te Mata Colarine. For a very good chardonnay, try the Kumeu River Chard (not the Mates).

Strange. Wasn't enamored with the Mates vineyard or the last Escarpment release (the first whilst very good doesn't hit the heights and is overpriced and the latter could have dealt with another year in bottle before release).

Liked the Kumeu Village which is why I tried the Mates. May have to look for the standard Kumeu now.

cheers

Carl

[Wayno]

I, too am not too fussed with the Mates, based on (admittedly) limited tasting opportunities - couple of vintages. Seemed overpriced to me. An 04 Voyager caned it at the most recent tasting, for about half the price. I can't recall the specific Mates vintage - could have been 04.

[Craig(NZ)]

I, too am not too fussed with the Mates, based on (admittedly) limited tasting opportunities - couple of vintages. Seemed overpriced to me. An 04 Voyager caned it at the most recent tasting, for about half the price. I can't recall the specific Mates vintage - could have been 04.

whatever you say about mates, remember one thing. the current vintage of Mates is way better than the std.

some years yes mates doesnt seem to offer much more (eg 05) but the 06 mates is a stellar wine. it is the first vintage of it i have bought i quantity. imo a much better wine than the std version

as for the village, im over it. just not into cheaper chardy. rather a riesling

as for pinot. i keep saying most of the negative comment re some top labels are simply cos people are stupid and drink em the year they are released or people concrete in their opinions from a few new release trade tastings. most top nz pinots improve noticably with just 3-4 years in the cellar (no need to go over board). eg. ive heard neudorf moutere described as 'oaky' leave it a few years. escarpement will be the same. felton road the same....i can think of many examples

[rooman]

I, too am not too fussed with the Mates, based on (admittedly) limited tasting opportunities - couple of vintages. Seemed overpriced to me. An 04 Voyager caned it at the most recent tasting, for about half the price. I can't recall the specific Mates vintage - could have been 04.

whatever you say about mates, remember one thing. the current vintage of Mates is way better than the std.

some years yes mates doesnt seem to offer much more (eg 05) but the 06 mates is a stellar wine. it is the first vintage of it i have bought i quantity. imo a much better wine than the std version

as for the village, im over it. just not into cheaper chardy. rather a riesling

as for pinot. i keep saying most of the negative comment re some top labels are simply cos people are stupid and drink em the year they are released or people concrete in their opinions from a few new release trade tastings. most top nz pinots improve noticably with just 3-4 years in the cellar (no need to go over board). eg. ive heard neudorf moutere described as 'oaky' leave it a few years. escarpement will be the same. felton road the same....i can think of many examples

It is fair to say I don't get to try the Mates every year but generally I find the standard Kumeu River more finese than the wine named after the old man (Mates).

[Craig(NZ)]

07 Kumeu River's have been released (to the trade anyway). Will take a trip to the winery as soon as I get the word they are for tasting there.

[rooman]

Vintage Wine Specialists in Auckland have a 6 litre bottle of 1998 Providence - I bet that would impress

If you're after something a bit more sensible - maybe Dry River Pinot Noir? Hard to find, but there's usually stock at either Caro's or Maison Vauron. Of course - that may be too well known, in which case how about one of the new Escarpment single vineyard Pinots? Kupe or Voyager should do the trick.

I hope their single vineyards are better than their main drop. I have tried it several times and just don't like it. Unless you can get an old Stonyridge Larose, I would target one of the Felton Rd Pinots or one from Martinborough Vineyards. Also see if you can locate if you can get a Te Mata Colarine. For a very good chardonnay, try the Kumeu River Chard (not the Mates).

Strange. Wasn't enamored with the Mates vineyard or the last Escarpment release (the first whilst very good doesn't hit the heights and is overpriced and the latter could have dealt with another year in bottle before release).

Liked the Kumeu Village which is why I tried the Mates. May have to look for the standard Kumeu now.

cheers

Carl

The latest Decanter has a NZ P/N tasting which has given Martinborough Vineyards 5 stars - touchdown and Escarpment got hammered with 2 stars which I also agree with.

[griff]

Vintage Wine Specialists in Auckland have a 6 litre bottle of 1998 Providence - I bet that would impress

If you're after something a bit more sensible - maybe Dry River Pinot Noir? Hard to find, but there's usually stock at either Caro's or Maison Vauron. Of course - that may be too well known, in which case how about one of the new Escarpment single vineyard Pinots? Kupe or Voyager should do the trick.

I hope their single vineyards are better than their main drop. I have tried it several times and just don't like it. Unless you can get an old Stonyridge Larose, I would target one of the Felton Rd Pinots or one from Martinborough Vineyards. Also see if you can locate if you can get a Te Mata Colarine. For a very good chardonnay, try the Kumeu River Chard (not the Mates).

Strange. Wasn't enamored with the Mates vineyard or the last Escarpment release (the first whilst very good doesn't hit the heights and is overpriced and the latter could have dealt with another year in bottle before release).

Liked the Kumeu Village which is why I tried the Mates. May have to look for the standard Kumeu now.

cheers

Carl

The latest Decanter has a NZ P/N tasting which has given Martinborough Vineyards 5 stars - touchdown and Escarpment got hammered with 2 stars which I also agree with.

Vindication!

2 stars is a touch harsh actually. I like Broadbent's rating system which is the only one around that that I know of that provides an assessment of what he thought the wine was like on the day as well as its potential. I do think the Escarpment can come good with time.

cheers

Carl

[rooman]

I, too am not too fussed with the Mates, based on (admittedly) limited tasting opportunities - couple of vintages. Seemed overpriced to me. An 04 Voyager caned it at the most recent tasting, for about half the price. I can't recall the specific Mates vintage - could have been 04.

whatever you say about mates, remember one thing. the current vintage of Mates is way better than the std.

some years yes mates doesnt seem to offer much more (eg 05) but the 06 mates is a stellar wine. it is the first vintage of it i have bought i quantity. imo a much better wine than the std version

as for the village, im over it. just not into cheaper chardy. rather a riesling

as for pinot. i keep saying most of the negative comment re some top labels are simply cos people are stupid and drink em the year they are released or people concrete in their opinions from a few new release trade tastings. most top nz pinots improve noticably with just 3-4 years in the cellar (no need to go over board). eg. ive heard neudorf moutere described as 'oaky' leave it a few years. escarpement will be the same. felton road the same....i can think of many examples

Finally got to try the 06 Mates last night and I will agree it shows far more elegance and finese than some of the earlier vintages Michael has turned out. A couple of the earlier vintages were really over oaked and too buttery. Still think for the $$ I might stick with the standard KR but won't be turning up my nose so quickly in future when someone blonks down a Mates.