Last week's attempt to shine a little sunshine through the lens of a glass of sauvignon blanc might be deemed a dismal failure, given the weather bomb that made its way up the island on Wednesday.
A hasty retreat to some sumptuous reds was called for, and today's collection came in all guns blazing! A transtasman match-up and a very high quality showing among the cabernet, merlot and malbec offerings, with some particularly classy Kiwi contributions that were a delight to try.
Price: $29.99
Rating: Very good
This shows a little development alongside the dusty plum and dark-berried fruit with notes of tilled earth. Fills the mouth, sweet fruit and supple tannins with tangy acidity becoming somewhat balsamic and spicy with time. If anything, this gets bigger and chewy with time, crying out for a slab of barbecued meat.
A big boy this one.
Price: $69.99
Rating: Excellent
Attractive nose with plum, blackcurrant, black olive and leafy notes. Supple and silky on entry; richly mouth-filling with dusty elements, a touch of mint and freshening acidity. A wee bit of a slow burner, improving and growing considerably in depth and length of finish over time, adding a touch of barnyard.
Sumptuous and delicious drinking.
Price: $64.99
Rating: Very good to excellent
This wears its Aussie origins on its sleeve; distinctly eucalypt on the nose, with sweet oak, toffee and dark fruits. A brash youthfulness; grippy tannins frame the wine, with black fruits, fudge and that core of eucalypt running right through the wine along with oak notes.
Big and rambunctious for now and should mellow nicely with time.
Price: $150
Rating: Outstanding
Youthful and powerful cassis-driven nose with leaf and fragrance in the wings. Deceptively intense on the palate with its powerful tannic structure on a frame of marvellous complexity. At one moment savoury, another mint/menthol, tilled earth, chocolate, dark fruits and more. Beautiful refinement, a complete package.
Should be stunning with time.
Price: $40 (cellar door)
Rating: Excellent to outstanding
Initially spice and red fruits, with dark fruits and lovely perfume developing. Medium weight on the palate yet with intensity of red and black fruits, delivering finesse rather than sheer heft. Fresh, seamless, exquisitely balanced, evolving and growing with time, inviting further nosing and tasting.
Revel in it now, or tuck away for a few years.
Price: $40 (cellar door)
Rating: Very good
Blackcurrants and leaf, with a fine fragrance developing over time. Quite fine in the mouth, textural, and balanced with supple tannins and juicy acidity. Compact flavours carry nicely through the mouth, ending on juicy ripe fruits as the tannins begin to build.
Very easy drinking here.
