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For Your Pleasure
"For your pleasure
In our present state
Part false part true
Like anything
We present ourselvesThe words we use tumble
All over your shoulder
Gravel hard and looseThere all night lying
With your dark horse hiding
Abhorring such extremes" - Bryan FerryCategories
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Category Archives: New Zealand
2011 Salo Hawkes Bay Syrah
The difficult second album and perhaps the difficult second vintage. The 2010 Salo Hawkes Bay Syrah was a stunning wine. If it was Television’s ‘Marquee Moon’ then perhaps the 2011 version is ‘Adventure’ – an under-rated but still impressive effort, if … Continue reading
2010 Pyramid Valley Moteo Vineyard Hawkes Bay Chenin Blanc
Always happy to give a maligned grape a positive review if it deserves it. I like good Chenin. Pyramid Valley have gained a bit of a cult following over the past few years. They make wines that sit comfortably outside of the … Continue reading
2010 Greywacke Chardonnay
Kevin Judd is a pretty important figure in New Zealand wine. He was the founding winemaker at Cloudy Bay and oversaw 25 vintages at that iconic producer. The Greywacke label was established in 2009 with the wines being made at Dog Point. … Continue reading
2011 Shaky Bridge Pioneer Series Pinot Gris
No mistaking this as anything but a Pinot Gris. It’s varietally emphatic but perhaps just a bit too ‘colour by numbers’. Poached pear, lemon sherbet and stonefruits with a shake of spice. There’s a fair amount of body, not much detail, friendly … Continue reading
2011 Shaky Bridge Pioneer Series Gewürztraminer
A New Zealand producer I’m unfamiliar with. I’ve got Central Otago Pinot Noirs and a Gris still to taste but this Gewürztraminer is a positive introduction. Varietal and textural with very well pitched residual sugar. Not too sweet, just noticeable. … Continue reading
2011 Giesen Estate Riesling
“It must be said It’s not a fable You can’t please everybody Even if you’re able It must be said That I’m not stable with you” – Ed Kuepper, Serene Machine I reckon it’s fair to say that New Zealand … Continue reading
2010 Mt. Difficulty Pinot Noir
Grapes were sourced from the Bannockburn subregion of Central Otago. And make no mistake, it’s Central Otago to its core. A relatively warm year has produced a wine of great typicité; rich fruits, dramatic wild herb aromas and some flesh … Continue reading
2010 Neudorf Moutere Pinot Noir
Neudorf’s flagship Moutere Pinot Noir sits amongst my favourite three New Zealand expressions of the variety; the other two being Ata Rangi and Pegasus Bay. Voluptuous but not excessive. Nutty, chocolate oak (30% new) is just sexy. It’s silken and flows … Continue reading
Chandon Sparkling Summit 2012
Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes… Dan Buckle’s departure from the peppery, shiraz drenched isolation of Mount Langi Ghiran came as a surprise to many, myself included. He had imposed a singular vision on that winery – one that had lifted it to the heights … Continue reading
Posted in Argentina, Articles, Cava, Champagne, England, France, King Valley, Marlborough, Mendoza, New Zealand, Prosecco, Sayvel Blanc, Spain, Sparkling, Tasmania, UK, Wine Events, Wine Musings
Tagged Articles, Wine Events, Wine Musings
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2010 Salo Hawkes Bay Syrah
The Salo stable expands (to two wines) with the introduction of this inaugural Hawkes Bay Syrah. Only fitting considering it’s a collaborative effort between Kiwi Dave Mackintosh and Aussie Steve Flamsteed. No sulfur pre-bottling, ambient yeast, 18 months in 15% new French barriques. As for the … Continue reading