Category Archives: New Zealand

Miscellany 3: Christmas day 2011

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Andrew

My Christmas Day selections: Ployez Jacquemart Selection Rose: Lovely – just right, and its pinkness was Christmas-appropriate.  And it won over a non champagne crowd with its delicate strawberry and lemon notes. Ployez Jacquemart Brut 2000: Served too warm – … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, $50 to $100, Australia, Champagne, France, Germany, McLaren Vale, New Zealand, Otago, Price, Riesling, Shiraz, Sparkling | Leave a comment

Unison Syrah 2006

Posted on September 25, 2011 by Lincoln

From the Gimblett Gravels in the Hawke’s Bay region. Oh, of New Zealand. A complex and alluring nose. Nice red fruits and sweet dusty spices, undertones of meat and vanilla, with musk, and even citrus overtones. The palate showed dark … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

Akarua Rua Pinot Noir 2010

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Lincoln

I must admit that Central Otago isn’t normally my cup’o’tea. End of preamble. A good deep red in colour. Nice florals, black cherries and a bit of beetroot, and some spice too. Initial impressions are of a full flavoured palate … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, New Zealand, Notes, Otago, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

Pyramid Valley Cowley Family Vineyard Pinot Noir 2009

Posted on August 28, 2011 by Lincoln

My wife said, “Not another one!!”. Well, I am back here again. But luckily, with better results this time, and though the wine is still “out there”, this one is within the bounds of what I find enjoyable. Red in … Continue reading →

Posted in $50 to $100, Marlborough, New Zealand, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment

Pyramid Valley Earth Smoke Pinot Noir 2009

Posted on August 23, 2011 by Lincoln

After my experience with the Angel Flower wine I did some research and found this on the Pyramid Valley website, relating specifically to this wine: Note: Despite their saline energy and great extract, one could be forgiven for believing that … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, New Zealand, Notes, over $100, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | 14 Comments

Pyramid Valley Angel Flower Pinot Noir 2009

Posted on August 21, 2011 by Lincoln

The colour is a distinct surprise: a rusty brown and quite cloudy. Is this right? Well it is unfiltered and unfined so it is a possibility. A nose of brown sugar, malt, cherries and strawberries and old wood. The palate … Continue reading →

Posted in Canterbury, New Zealand, Notes, over $100, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | 6 Comments

Wither Hills Pinot Noir 2009

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Lincoln

I was looking for a cheapish Pinot; I do love the Hoddles Creek, but there’s only so much of it that I can drink. Anyway, so I bought a case of this wine on spec from Winestar for $19.90 per … Continue reading →

Posted in New Zealand, Notes, Pinot Noir, Price, up to $20, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

Ash Ridge Syrah 2007

Posted on November 15, 2010 by Lincoln

I have been moved to speak. This wine is from the Cardoness Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay. Some dry spice on the nose, with red fruits, black pepper, black earth and some dry mulch. The palate is light to medium bodied, … Continue reading →

Posted in $20 to $50, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Shiraz, Varietal/Style | 1 Comment

Mount Difficulty Single Vineyard Pipeclay Terrace Pinot Noir 2002

Posted on July 3, 2010 by Lincoln

Not sure where this bottle came from. Hopefully I wasn’t cellaring it for someone else. Still a good red colour. A ripe nose, plums more than cherries, Christmas spices, old dried meat, some spirit and a bit of acetone. An … Continue reading →

Posted in $50 to $100, New Zealand, Notes, Otago, Pinot Noir, Price, Varietal/Style | 2 Comments

The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc 2009

Posted on May 12, 2010 by Lincoln

I don’t drink a lot of white wines, but when I saw some positive reviews of this wine I asked for a sample bottle. From the Awatere Valley in Marlborough, and a winner of a Blue-Gold Award at the Sydney … Continue reading →

Posted in Marlborough, New Zealand, Notes, Price, Sauvignon Blanc, up to $20, Varietal/Style | Leave a comment