Some top end chardonnays and a delicious viognier turned up for this tasting.
Interestingly, the two young wines from Saint Clair were made from the same vineyard but fermented and aged in oak barrels from different countries, which makes a big difference in flavour.
BEST VALUE
$22
Fragrant with aromas of citrus and honeysuckle, rich, unctuous and mouthfilling with hints of peach and nutmeg and a lively, dry finish. Look for it on special.
four stars (out of five)
good value
www.villamaria.co.nz
$19
A hint of grapefruit and golden syrup, an underlying nuttiness with a crisp finish and a hint of charred oak on the aftertaste. Stands up to spicy food.
three stars (out of five)
average value
www.waiparasprings.co.nz
$29
Roasted peaches, creamy nuts and hints of citrus form a minerally backbone of concentrated fruit balanced by oodles of toasty oak. It manages to achieve both harmony and charm.
four stars (out of five)
average value
www.tekairanga.co.nz
$30
This wine, matured in French oak, hints of nuts and cream, with a background of stone and citrus fruit, mouthfilling intensity and an attractive, crisp finish. Will benefit from more bottle age.
four stars (out of five)
average value
www.saintclair.co.nz
$33
Aromatic with hints of pineapple, tropical fruit and vanilla, a suggestion of golden syrup and lots of obvious oak, this, from the same vineyard as the wine above, was matured in American oak barrels. Will benefit from more bottle age.
four stars (out of five)
average value
www.saintclair.co.nz
$35
A stylish, very dry, layered wine, buttery and textural with a hint of mineral and nuts, concentrated fruit and a persistent finish.
four stars (out of five)
average value
www.cablebay.co.nz
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations. charmian.smith@odt.co.nz
Two stars - simple, clean, enjoyable wine; three stars - good wine with varietal characteristics; four stars - very good wine with some outstanding characteristics; five stars - outstanding wine with balance and harmony that leaves you with a sense of wonder.
