It's those nebulous attributes, harmony and balance, where flavours and textures are seamless, giving the wine charm. Wines that are edgy or spiky, over-oaked or too big or too dilute usually lack charm and balance.
BEST VALUE
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
A lighter wine with a hint of smoky oak, red fruits, a savoury undertone and crisp, spicy finish.
Nicely integrated, attractive and good with food.
Four stars (out of five)
Good value
Fragrant with hints of dried herbs and sweet, ripe dark and red fruits, spicy, savoury undertones and a silky texture, this mouthfilling wine is nicely integrated and harmonious with a long, spicy aftertaste.
Three stars (out of five)
Below average value
From a vineyard between Alexandra and Clyde, this is a lighter wine with hints of plums, red fruits and mineral, bolstered by savoury, spicy oak, but with an edgy acidity.
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Below average value
Gamay is the red grape of Beaujolais which Nick Mills normally puts into his rose.
This, however, oozes beautiful dark fruit - cherry and blueberry - with a savoury mineral undertone and fresh, lively finish.
Unfortunately it's sold out this year but there will be more around December.
www.rippon.co.nz
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Good value
At its best Gibbston produces stunningly beautiful wine. This is floral and fragrant with dark cherry and spice, savoury undertones, hints of dried herbs, and a silky texture, all well balanced and harmonious.
It's mouthfilling yet has great charm and delicacy, and fine-grained tannins on the long aftertaste.
Four and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
One of New Zealand's most highly acclaimed pinot noirs, this is a big young wine with layers
of flavour and texture, oozing dark berries and savoury, spicy oak hinting of coffee and chocolate
- it reminded me of an unsweetened, dense chocolate cherry brownie.
It's delicious now but will continue to develop and integrate for several years.
www.atarangi .co.nz
ANOTHER GLASS
• Julicher 99 Rows Martinborough Pinot Noir 2010, $30
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Average value.
A lively wine, perfumed with hints of red plums and herbs and a suggestion of licorice, supported by spicy, savoury oak.
Well balanced and attractive.
• Hawkshead Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2010, $48
Four stars (out of five)
Average value
A complex wine with layers of flavour and texture and concentrated bright red fruit well
integrated with spicy oak, and a lifted, crisp aftertaste.
• Stoneleigh Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010, $25
Three stars (out of five)
Average value
Savoury, with hints of plums and lots of oak filling out the palate, this is a lively, edgy wine
with hint of spice on the aftertaste.
• Triplebank Awatere Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011, $29
Three and a half stars (out of five)
Average value
An assertive wine with big flavours, lots of oak oozing chocolate and spice, and concentrated red fruits with a savoury hint and a lively acidity. Definitely for oak lovers.
Although wine sent for review is tasted blind to eliminate preconceptions, all wine tasting
and evaluation is subjective. These are personal recommendations.
