Perth / New Zealand Wine Fair

[Brett Stevens]

Went to the New Zealand wine fair here on wednesday night. Interesting (TORB would have loved it) C-thru's, Peanose and C-thru with bubbles every where.

I havent had a lot of recent experience with NZ wines 13 Wineries representing approx 70 wines. Now i will admit i didnt taste all.

A few general notes.

03 Spy Valley and 02 Babich wines both had great value for money rieslings, good structure, and balanced acidity and fruit levels. The Babich was unoaked although i would have sworn it did have oaky characters, i asked the rep three times. Both excellent value for money at under $20

Now to Pinot's of which i admit i enjoying more and more.

There was a huge variety here of flavours, Value and general cost.

To me i thought that costing in general was very expensive for Pinots and possibly find similar quality for half of the forty dollar price tag of many of them.

A few that stood out were Murdoch James Estate 02 Blue rock Pinot, excellent colour and vibrant nose. good earthy overtones with a hint of cherry and gameyness on the end. Expensive $48.00

Grove mill 02 Pinot Again great colour more red than black, black forrest cake and chocolate with a hint of tobaccy on the nose. This was my favourite wine of the night. $43.00

on the Value side was 02 Selaks Dryland winemakers reserve Pinot. Excellent earthy flavours, a more inky colour with a hint of cherry on the nose.
I think i will get a case of these at $22

BTW i am not a sprakling white drinker, but thought i would do the right thing and broaden my horizons. Bad mistake Tasted a Granduer NV from one of the larger producers $26. and to me worcester sauce and vegemite are not endearing characters on the nose. couldnt even make my mouth open far enough to taste it.

To those that drink champagne styles please tell me if i am off mark and this is an endearing complex quality? or is it a fault?

Please help me out here
Was anyone else there?

Brett