An August Six-Pack

[Skeeter]

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.