MILLS REEF

Sauvignon Blanc 2008

This youthful and lively wine presents lovely passionfruit, feijoa, gooseberry and tomato leaf aromas and flavours. Multilayered, it is rich and creamy with a long weighty palate and balanced acidity that finishes crisp and dry. Delicious on its own, it is also an ideal accompaniment with food.

Pinot Gris 2008

This elegant Marlborough Pinot Gris has delightful aromas reminiscent of honeysuckle and lemon verbena, pear and peach, interwoven with citrus lemon and melon fruit flavours. Medium-bodied with a lovely oily texture, it bursts with flavours of peaches and pears, dappled with water melon and lemon. A fresh easy drinking style with classic lively acidity, finishing soft and silky.

RESERVE Chardonnay 2007

This rich full bodied Chardonnay is packed with peach, tropical stonefruit, and fig flavours, complimented with vanilla and butterscotch notes, toasty oak seasoning, finely balanced acidity and a lovely creamy texture. It lingers to a satisfyingly long warm dry finish. Delicious now, it will also mature gracefully for several years.

Merlot Malbec 2007

This deeply coloured red has lovely fruit-driven aromas and flavours with a medley of ripe Black Doris plums, boysenberry and blackcurrant, intertwined with spicy savoury oak, fine tannins, all beautifully integrating for a lovely lush medium weight wine with silken texture. Very enjoyable now, this wine will continue to develop and reward cellaring for 3 to 5 years.

Syrah 2007

This classic deep purple-red Hawke’s Bay Syrah is attractively scented, with vibrant aromas of blackcurrant, white pepper, spiced dried apricots and floral notes. The palate is rich and silky with fine supple tannins, oak complexity and pronounced forest berry fruit, white pepper, caramel and coffee flavours. Already immensely enjoyable, this wine will continue to flourish and reward cellaring for up to 5 years.

Elspeth One

Deep ruby red in colour, the nose is adorned with white pepper, spice, blackcurrant, liquorice, cedar and hints of mint, with appetizing aged characters of leather, cigar box, and fruit cake. The palate is weighty, rich, intense and velvety, giving it generous complexity with round luscious brambly fruit, black olives, plum, toffee and chocolate, on supple ripe tannins. The finish is equally intense and lingering. Very satisfying, it is drinking beautifully now but will also continue to reward cellaring. This is an opulent wine – a meal in itself!

Port 2004

Delicious almond, marzipan and fruit cake aromas with sweet ripe brambly blackberry on the nose with a fusion of spicy black doris plum, boysenberry with almonds, marzipan and licorice flavours. Excellent length, with ripe, well integrated tannins, finishing soft and fruity. This already harmonious wine will continue to mellow, bringing deeper complexity, with further bottle age.

WEST BROOK ESTATE

Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2005

Ripe hand picked fruit, gentle winemaking and maturation in French oak have resulted in a complex and powerful wine, with aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries and Black Doris plums, a rich and silky smooth palate Pinot Noirs - excellent value, drinking fantastically well now and will cellar for several years.

Wooing Tree Chardonnay 2007

This Chardonnay was made from grapes grown in the Lowburn Valley. Ripe hand picked fruit and barrel fermentation in French Oak has given a wonderfully balanced wine with rich texture and fruit. The wine shows delightful aromas of tropical fruits with citrus and hints of butterscotch on the palate. This wine is best served slightly chilled.

Wooing Tree Beetle Juice Pinot Noir 2007

Ripe hand picked fruit, gentle winemaking and maturation in French oak have resulted in a complex and powerful wine, with aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries and Black Doris plums, a rich and silky smooth palate with fine grainy tannins to match the fruit. Excellent value, drinking fantastically well now and will develop and cellar for several years.

Cromwell Chafer Beetle

Beetle Juice is named after the Cromwell Chafer Beetle (Prodontria lewisi).The Cromwell Chafer is a critically endangered beetle found at just one site in Cromwell This 81 hectare area of windblown sand dunes has been set aside as the Cromwell Chafer Beetle Nature Reserve to protect and monitor the habitat of this beetle.

Wooing Tree Pinot Noir 2007

Ripe hand picked fruit, gentle winemaking and maturation in French oak have resulted in a complex and powerful wine, with aromas of ripe cherries, raspberries and Black Doris plums, a rich and silky smooth palate with fine grainy tannins to match the fruit. Excellent value, drinking fantastically well now and will develop and cellar for several years.

Wooing Tree Sandstorm Reserve Pinot Noir 2007

Cromwell’s Wooing Tree, is a family owned single vineyard site, located in the heart of Central Otago, the wine region fast becoming known for its top quality Pinot Noir. For many thousands of years Cromwell has been subjected to sandstorms during strong NW winds. Wind blown sands form Cromwell’s unique habitat as one of the only inland sand dunes in New Zealand. The development of Wooing Tree vineyard created a few sandstorms of its own.

Especially low yielding ripe hand picked fruit, gentle winemaking and extended maturation in French oak have resulted in a complex and powerful wine. It has aromas of ripe cherries and plums, a rich and silky smooth palate and a long spicy finish. A great example of one of the best Central Otago Pinot Noirs – Best rewards are gained by careful cellaring.

Wooing Tree Blondie 2008

This unique Blanc de Noir was made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, grown on our family owned vineyard. Ripe hand picked fruit and gentle winemaking have given a wonderfully balanced wine with rich texture and fruit. The elegant champagne colour resulted from leaving juice in contact with its skins for several hours prior to a gentle whole bunch press. The wine shows delightful aromas and flavours of white peach and nectarines, with hints of strawberries and cherries. This wine is best served slightly chilled.

Wooing Tree Pinot Gris 2008

This Pinot Gris was made from grapes grown in the Cromwell Bas in. Ripe hand picked fruit and barrel fermentation in French Oak has given a wonderfully balanced wine with rich texture and fruit. The wine shows delightful aromas of pears, apples and spice, with hints of butterscotch and toasty oak on the nose. This dry style wine is best served slightly chilled.

Wooing Tree Rosé 2008

This refreshing style Rosé was made from 100% Pinot Noir grapes, grown on our family owned vineyard. The vibrant pink colour resulted from leaving juice in contact with its skins for several hours prior to a gentle whole bunch press. The wine shows delightful aromas and flavours of white peach and nectarines, with hints of strawberries, cream and rose petals. This wine is a perfect summer aperitif and is best served slightly chilled.

EURO WINE

Eurowine wines to be tasted on club night 12th August 2008

Jackson Estate Runnymede Riesling 2004

Made in a dry style reflecting the vintage, vineyard & Marlborough region. This wine has a lifted aromatic nose of fresh lime & honeysuckle leading to a palate richly flavoured.

Wairau River Sauvignon Blanc 2007

The vineyards have again given us fruit which displays classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc characters of gooseberry and passion fruit. The resultant wine then echoes these characters. With a generous mid and back palate this wine shows refinement and elegance finishing with great length. Savour with high jinks and convivial company.

Man O War Chardonnay 2007

Slow pressing and fermentation in a combination of French oak barrels and stainless steel tanks gives the wine subtle vanilla oak characters backed by vibrant citrus fruit aromas. Ripe fruit with firm acidity and 9 months on fine lees contributes to a rich and complex style.

Momo Pinot Noir 2007

Aromas of black cherry, mocha, new leather and hints of spice. The palate is concentrated with succulent dark fruits layered over smoky oak and fine mouth-coating tannins. Food Pairing Delicious with most red meats, mushroom dishes, or hearty fish like Salmon. Cellaring This wine has the potential to improve over the next five years.

Matariki Aspire Syrah 2005

A red colour with purple hues. Lifted spice, ripe plum and violet aromas with subtle cedary oak adding complexity. A deliciously intense wine with complex blackberry, chocolate and pepper spice flavours, soft approachable tannins and a smooth lingering finish. Cellaring Drink now until 2008.

Zilzie 23 Shiraz 2006

Climbing Cabernet-Sauvignon 2005

This wine has lovely intense red colour. The aroma shows good berry fruit characters, great complexity and depth. This follows through to the palate with integrated oak, a powerful palate, great length and firm tannins. I really think this is an amazing wine and look forward to watching it integrate with up to 10 years cellaring.”

FRAMMING WINE COMPANY

Framingham Wine Company tasted on club night 8th July 2008

Framingham Dry Riesling 2004 (current release, aged before it comes on the market)

Framingham Dry Riesling is a tightly structured wine with citrus and mineral nuances. It is an ideal candidate for medium-long term cellaring for those you enjoy the more complex, toasty, honeyed flavour of bottle aged Riesling.

Framingham Classic Riesling 2006

Framingham Classic Riesling is an off dry style of Riesling, with rich fruit and juicy acidity. This, together with relatively low alcohol, makes it a versatile wine, ideal as an aperitif or with food. Vintage 2006 has perfumed, floral aromatics of honeysuckle and citrus, while the palate offers flavours of lemon, lime and orange citrus, stonefruit and mineral.

Framingham Select Riesling 2006 (this is largely a cellar door only wine)

The German Auslese (meaning "select harvest") style is the inspiration for Framingham Select Riesling. Hand selected whole bunches were pressed and the resultant juice fermented to give a wine low in alcohol, displaying great tension between sugar and acidity. A candidate for long term aging in the cellar, only 120 cases have been produced.

Framingham Pinot Gris 2007

Pinot Gris is an in vogue varietal that can be interpreted in different styles. Our inspiration has been the Alsace style rather than the more austere Pinot Grigio style. Framingham 2006 Pinot Gris has emphasis on richness, weight and texture as well as expressive fruit flavours. These fruit flavours are immediately appealing, but the wine’s complexity will continue to develop over the next two to three years.

Framingham Gewurztraminer 2007

Framingham Gewürztraminer is made in the style of Alsace from hand picked grapes. Vintage 2005 has lifted, fruit forward aromatics reminiscent of pears, rosewater, musk and green ginger. The palate is fat, rich and oily with tremendous weight, soft texture and great mouthfeel, showing strongly varietal flavours of stonefruit, exotic spices, ginger, lychee and pear nectar.

Framingham Montepulciano 2006 (Red!)

Framingham Montepulciano is a savoury, spicy wine and is a good match to Mediterranean style food. The wine shows savoury aromas reminiscent of liquorice, coffee/mocha and tobacco leaf, with some spicy, dark cherry fruit notes. Palate is concentrated with fine, silky tannins that are immediately approachable. Rich flavours of cherry, plum and prune contrast nicely with supporting smoky oak, and dark chocolate notes.

Framingham Noble Riesling 2007 (dessert, and largely cellar door)

Framingham 2006 Noble Selection has been made from hand selected bunches of Riesling grapes which were infected by noble rot, otherwise known as Botrytis. The wine shows some classic botrytis notes of dried apricot, along with pear, stonefruit and orange, along with some citrus flavours derived from "clean" fruit. The palate is viscous but balanced, with a very long, firm finish.

MARSDEN ESTATE

Marsden Estate Wines tasted on club night 13 May 2008

2007 Pinot Gris

New Zealand’s most northerly grown. Delicate floral and apple aromatics. The palate is distinctively Pinot Gris, displaying a velvety richness coupled with a spicy finish.

2007 Estate Chardonnay

The nose displays melon and peach characters while the palate adds a clean crisp backbone to this richly structured wine. Uncluttered by oak or malo-lactic fermentation.

2007 Black Rocks Chardonnay

Whole bunch pressed, fermented at cold temperatures to capture fruit flavours. Full malo-lactic fermentation and weekly lees stirring coupled with twelve months maturation in French and American barrels help produces this full bodied chardonnay.

2004 Pinotage

Rich and deep in colour the nose reveals rich earth and spice characters. The palate is rich and full enhanced by 18 months oak maturation.

2006 Chambourcin

Deep ink and crimson in colour the bouquet shows berry characters typical of this verity. Medium bodied in style the pallet is youthful and fresh.

2005 Syrah

Oak aged for 15 months the wine displays a spicy vanillin bouquet. The pallet is warm and generous coupled with integrated oak and finely balanced tannins.

1999 Port

Oak aged for 5 years this rich wine intense depth of flavours in complemented by a slither of sweetness.

RANSOM WINES

Ransom Clos de Valerie Pinot Gris 2006

Pale straw in colour, this wine has a delicate perfumed nose with hints of lychees and ginger. The palate is fresh and lively, showing pears with a trace of pineapple, wrapped up in a crisp, minerally, sustained finish. Complements a range of cuisines, both Asian and European, particularly seafood.

Ransom Vin Gris 2006

Made in the traditional saignée method, the juice had only a few hours with the skins to produce a delicate salmon pink rosé. Strawberries and cream bouquet leads to a fresh, steely, slightly austere palate with a savoury satisfying finish. A good aperitif or for a long lunch. Serve chilled.

Ransom Gumfield Chardonnay 2005

Gumfield 2005 is an unoaked chardonnay. Honey is predominant on the nose while the palate is distinctively peachy in flavour. The full body and lively acid combine to make a well balanced wine. Complements lighter dishes e.g. risotto, pasta and chicken dishes.

Ransom Barrique Chardonnay 2005

Vibrant gold in colour with a sweet aroma of honey and subtle oak. The palate is redolent of stone fruits and almonds and the finish has a fresh, crisp burst. Elegant, focused and firm, this wine should reward cellaring. Deserves a flavoursome food match, e.g. grilled salmon or a warm lamb salad.

Ransom Mahurangi 2004

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Merlot

In classic claret style, this ruby coloured wine has an opulent, typically cabernet nose displaying both sweet and spicy tones. The palate is arrestingly flavoursome – sweet and savoury with hints of currant, smoke and herbs. Soft fruit tannins contribute to a warm satisfying finish. A versatile food wine, particularly well matched with the flavours of Italian cuisine.

Ransom Dark Summit 2004

Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Cabernet Franc, Malbec

Deep ruby in colour, with a bouquet of perfumed spices and berries. Soft and fine textured with a generous, earthy warmth, this premium wine has an elegance and balance which makes for an excellent food wine. Serve with eye fillet of beef or rack of lamb.

HERON'S FLIGHT

Sangiovese 2004

Fantastic. Full bodied, and soft from a ripe vintage; earthy and gamey with spicy pot-pourri aromas, flavours of cherries and blackberries, and mild tannins. Phil Parker

Sangiovese 2004

Is the flagship wine and shows the richness and concentration of its status. The colour of this wine is like bright blue-blood while it's deep, winey taste is imbued with layers of spice, vanilla, chocolate, berry, tar and oak that change with every mouthful. Sue Courtney

Dolcetto 2005

Fantastic young Dolcetto; undoubtedly the best Italian varietal made and grown in NZ that I have yet tasted, even with a heady 14.5% alcohol. It's soft, silky and highly drinkable. Joelle Thomson