Good reds will mellow over a year or two, the initially overt fruit integrating with oak influences and other savoury flavours. Several classy New Zealand wines in this tasting are released with a few years bottle age when they are drinking well but they will continue to develop.
BEST UNDER $20
$19
Three stars (out of four)
Good value
An accommodating, food-friendly Australian red made from a Spanish varietal, this is very drinkable, with juicy fruit, toasty oak with hints of chocolate and spice, and a firm grip on the finish.
$25
Four stars
Good value
Dark berries and plums softened with hints of pencil shavings, spice and savoury undertones, cushioning a firm backbone. Nicely balanced and drinking well now.
$39
Three-and-a-half stars
Below average value
A rich, soft wine, with hints of mulberries, dark chocolate and a suggestion of earthiness, velvety smooth with an attractive finish.
www.muddywater.co.nz
$35
Three-and-a-half stars
Below average value
A bright, peppery wine with oodles of juicy fruit, a smooth, silky texture and supple tannins. A charming wine with lovely fruit expression.
$40
Four stars
Average value
A blend of 74% merlot with malbec, this top-of the line wine from Te Awa oozes dark, spicy berry and dried fruit with a hint of malt, savoury undertones a silky texture and a firm backbone. A stylish wine.
$47
Four-and-a-half stars
Average value
The pick of wines in this batch, dense fruit with hints of boysenberry, coffee and dark chocolate meld with savoury undertones and a suggestion of eucalypt, it's concentrated and powerful but also harmonious and long. Delicious now but will continue to develop.
ANOTHER GLASS
Mount Riley Marlborough Merlot Malbec 2009
$18
Two-and-a-half stars
Average value
An edgy wine with hints of herbs, darker fruit flavours under, an assertive acidity and a grippy finish. Verging on under ripe.
Te Awa Left Field Hawkes Bay Syrah 2009
$26
Three stars
Average value
Bright and peppery with crisp savoury undertones, a hint of dark chocolate and bright edgy fruit with a lively, long finish.
Wolf Blass Black Label Cabernet Sauvignon Shiraz 2005
$99
Four-and-a-half stars
Below average value
An unmistakably classy Australian red, powerful, dark, spicy, concentrated, and at six years old aromas suggest new furniture, French polish, eucalypt and freshly roasted coffee but all held in harmony by the still sweet fruit and firm, slightly grippy tannins on the finish.
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.
