May

As a young Veterinary graduate stationed at Te Hana just north of Wellsford in the early nineteen sixties, the Mangawhai district was part of the rural practice. Narrow gravel roads led to the sleepy township of Mangawhai comprising little more than a garage, hotel and smattering of batches. The surf beach and pristine estuary from which a few locals ventured out on fishing trips had yet to be discovered, and any thought of growing grapes for wine in the vicinity were years away, in fact almost 50 years. Steve and Chris tine Lay previously from the North Shore , have named their vineyard in King Road “Estuary Vineyard” and their first wine, the Estuary Chardonnay 2008 ($24.99) is a fitting tribute to that lovely stretch of water. Fermented and aged for 11 months entirely in new French oak barriques, it has a rich smooth texture, with flavours reminiscent of grapefruit and white peach nicely integrated with the savoury oak.

NZ wines stun Britain ’s biggest wine buffs British wine experts were left dumbstruck following a tasting held at NZ house featuring six Hawkes Bay reds from the 2005-6 vintage and six French Clarets (Bordeaux Reds) from 2005. A Report in the National Business Review quotes an article in the Daily Telegraph written by their wine writer Jonathon Ray who reported that none of the 30 UK wine masters, including Jancis Robinson, sommeliers, Wine Society buffs and wine journalists were told anything about the vintages they were sampling. When the scoring was collated the French reds took the first three places as well as fifth, the Kiwis fourth and sixth place. This looked a creditable showing drawing polite applause.
Then the bombshell, as the Telegraph put it, when it was revealed “who was playing in the Bordeaux team”. They included such prestigious labels as, Chateau Lafite-Rothschild selling at ($NZ2565) a bottle, Chateau Mouton-Rothschild ($NZ177) and Chateau Angelus ($775). Fifth spot went to Chateau Haut-Brion ($NZ1850).
The NZ plonk was somewhat more modestly priced, fourth place going to the Sacred Hill Helmsman at $NZ47 a bottle while Newton Forrest Cornerstone, costing $NZ39 came sixth.
Ray reported that the tasters were left open-mouthed with the sound of jaws crashing to the floor. “The result was astonishing, to say the least,” he wrote.

What’s Hot I haven’t noticed a big shift towards red wines as yet but as winter draws closer I am sure it is not far away. Two reds that have gained a very enthusiastic following recently are the Tim Gramp Cabernet Sauvignon 2005 ($26.99) and a new label from the Barossa Valley , Rocland Ducks & Goose Shiraz 2005 ($21.99) I highly recommend both these South Australian reds.
Subscribers to Cuisine Magazine may have noted the success in their annual Chardonnay tasting of an unfamiliar label. Lonestone Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2007 (see specials) is a label from Steve Bennett, Master of Wine and Matt Deller. Rated 5 Stars and judged the No 1 Best Buy, this is just one wine in a very impressive portfolio. Under the Lonestone label there is also a good value Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, but there are two other labels in the range.
The Discovery Point label includes two high quality wines made in a dry style, are ideal food wines and understandably grace the wine lists of several of our top restaurants. Discovery Point Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($22.99) and Discovery Point Dry Riesling 2008, ($22.99) are both sourced from high quality Marlborough fruit and have already received some glowing reviews.
The third label is the Onyx, which is their reserve range and includes a Chardonnay and a Merlot Cabernet. I thought the Onyx Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2006 ($32) very good but the star wine for me was the Onyx Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2007 ($32). Outstanding!
This is a range of wines that warrants every discerning wine drinker’s attention, as not only do they deliver with exceptional quality, but also value for money.


MAY 2009 SPECIALS
Selected first for quality and sold at good value
Lonestone Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2007 An elegant stylish wine, but with underlying power and depth that placed it amongst the top labels in Cuisines recent Chardonnay tasting. Of the ten wines awarded 5 Stars in the tasting, nine were from the Bay, one from Gisborne, and all from the 2007 vintage, clearly a stellar year for Chardonnay.
5 Stars and No1 Best Buy Cuisine.
Promo $19.99
Domaine La Chapelle 2007 Made from the Carignan grape the most widely planted variety in France . The best Carignan Wines are considered to be sourced from the old vines of Corbieres as is this wine, being sourced from 50 year old vines. Carignan wines can be a little bland, but this medium bodied red has pleasant slightly earthy berry-fruit flavours, and is very easy drinking
Promo $16.99.
Rocland Duck’s & Goose Shiraz 2005 This small Barossa winery has been producing some high quality wines and clearly considerable imagination in naming them. This lovely rich wine has great depth and length of dark-berry, chocolate and mocha on the palate enhanced by silky tannins and nicely integrated oak. A classy shiraz already proving very popular.
Promo $21.99
Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 by Tim Gramp A red that ticks all the boxes for
quality, drinkability and value. The plain label belies the quality and sheer drinkability of this well structured and focused red that has gained a big following. Tim Gramp has used top quality fruit in producing this wine, that shows with the classic lifted Cabernet fruit on the nose and the full, rich palate of mixed berries and spice, supported by balanced oak. Previously $20 now even better value at $17.99

Also while stocks last:
O-Tu Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($21.99) Classical Awatere Valley style
Cape Campbell Pinot Gris 2007 ($18.99 or 2 for $35) Super drinking now
Scotts Creek Shiraz 2007 ($13.99 or 2 for $25) great drinking – top value

Cheers David