+- WineBoard (https://www.wines.com/wineboard)
+-- Forum: TASTING NOTES & WINE SPECIFIC FORUMS (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-200.html)
+--- Forum: Australia/New Zealand/South Africa (https://www.wines.com/wineboard/forum-16.html)
+--- Thread: An August Six-Pack (/thread-8322.html)
- Skeeter - 08-26-2004
2003 Northrow Sauvignon Blanc: Quite a grassy nose, not at all the typical Marlborough "fruit salads" I've been trying lately. (Possibly a result of the bottle age, or the tough '03 vintage, perhaps?)Wonderfully balanced acid, very drinkable, top-class savvy. A Big Tick O' Approval right off the bat!
2001 Villa Maria Cellar Selection Riesling: Quite a lemony flavour to this one, with a hint of sweetness. Quite restrained, though not bad at all.
2000 Vidal Chardonnay: A disappointment, as I'm a huge fan of their hard-to-find Soler Syrah. This bottle might have peaked already... had hints of class lurking in the aftertaste, but really didn't do a lot for me. Such is the gamble of cellaring.
2003 Villa Maria Private Bin Pinot Noir: Very young, but perfectly acceptable pinot. Plenty of acid, nice rounded fruit flavours. A good value-for-money red, being Villa Marias' "entry-level" label. I'd drink it!
2002 Vidal Merlot/Cab Sauvignon: This made up for the chardonnay... big, savoury, firm tannins. Coffee and chocolate on the palate. I'd still trade it for the Syrah, but it's a good 'un!
2002 Esk Valley Merlot/Cab Sauvignon: This was very "me", even before I found out about the Malbec (12%) and Cabernet Franc (2%) blended in. Mouthfilling, rich and classy, finely balanced oakyness. Huge Tick of Approval, and unlike it's green-label NZ$50+ big brother, in my price range. (NZ$24-27-ish, depeneding on the store) Excellent.
- winoweenie - 08-26-2004
Golly-Dern there Skeete, thot you'd deserted us for one of those leggy, middle-aged 19-year-old blonds that inhabit the tasting rooms of the world. The ESK sounds like a stunner. Have never seen the label but will look for it. WW
- Skeeter - 08-26-2004
Nahhh, just saving money, rather than drinking it. [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/frown.gif[/img]
If you can afford (And find it), THIS wine is a stunner.
http://www.eskvalley.co.nz/search.asp?wineid=150
True "Trample your grandmother for the last bottle" juice. [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img]
- Thomas - 08-26-2004
Skeeter,
Many times from Marlborough I have detected grassy--asparagus Sauvignon Blanc notes from some of the known names over here. It is likely a condition of certain vintages. Ripeness brings out fruit flavors; unripeness brings out vegetals.
- Skeeter - 08-26-2004
That'd be true, Foodie. The 2003 vintage was nearly ruined by frosts, wheras this year was the best for Marlborough in nearly a decade. I've already tried several amazing, fragrant Savignon Blancs and a stunning gewurtztraminer (Hunters) from the vintage. (And a couple of duds, too... but I guess you need your winemaker to be on form as well as the weather.) [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]
- Bucko - 08-26-2004
I don't know about the rest of youse bums, but I enjoy a little of the jalapeno flavors in my NZ SBs.
- Thomas - 08-27-2004
Jalapeno? Juniper, maybe. I don't believe I have ever experienced hot pepper in NZ Sauvignon Blancs.
Bucko, point me to one I should try.
- wondersofwine - 08-27-2004
The most asparagus I've ever encountered in a Sauvignon Blanc was a New Zealand one I think Nobilo Hills. I like asparagus but this was way too much! I like a mild grassy element--lemongrass or newmown grass or mild herbs.
- Bucko - 08-27-2004
2003 Whitehaven, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, $17, 8,000 cases. Lots of jalapeno pepper and gooseberry aromas are given off by this straw-colored NZ SB. Bright acidity breathes life into the lovely citrus and gooseberry flavors. Passion fruit lingers on the finish. Yummy; 90/91.
2003 Zenith Vineyards, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, $12. There's no mistaking this varietal wine. Gobs of gooseberries, jalapeno peppers, and citrus peel greet the nose. Nice acidity gives balance to the upfront citrus and melon flavors. Gooseberries linger on the finish; 88/90.
2003 Matua, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand, $11. Lots of gooseberry, lime, and herbs unfold on the nose. Medium-bodied and tart, the citrus, jalapeno, and tropical flavors linger for some time on the palate; 89/91.
- winoweenie - 08-27-2004
Foodster these tastingas were done the week Herr Dock-i-tor was experimenting with Mexican Food receipes. WW [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/wink.gif[/img](snort)
- Thomas - 08-27-2004
Obviously. I have had the Matua--cannot recall jalapeno. But I must hasten to add that i don't generally eat jalapeno peppers both because we don't get them fresh in the East and I think they are way too much for putting into one's body.
I remember when I was stationed in Amarillo Texas a colleague opened a can of jalapeno without warning us. We were in a supply room that was maybe 500 square feet. I was standing at one end of the room; he was at the other. Still, a few seconds after he opened the can, my eyes began to water from the heat sensation that filled the room. He stuck his hand out and said I should try a pepper--I said something unrepeatable here.