Assortages: Mid-July

[Skeeter]

Just some brief notes from a couple of wine store tastings. (The picks of the litters, and a couple of mongrels.)

2003 Fiddlers Green Riesling: A very dry Wipara riesling. Lime and orange aromas, fairly long. "Quite pleasant", my notes read. Thumbs in the middle, leaning up, methinks.

2002 Matariki Aspire Syrah: A beauty to look at... ruby in the glass. Interesting to smell... I could only describe it as "cowshed". (I'm not kidding... reminded me of visiting rural friends as a kid.) Better to drink, though... flavourful, earthy and complex. Big Tick O' Approval!

2004 Tasman Bay Pinot Gris: A good follow-up to the excellent '03. Creamy, rich and very drinkable.

2003 Main Devide Riesling: Described as "medium". Very sweet to my taste, and oddly not my style. (Either make 'em dry, or go the whole hog and make a sticky, I say.)

2002 Firstland Riesling: This was more "me"... dryer, kerosene nose, mouth-filling and good acidity. And at $NZ11/bottle, great value. (The cheapest wine of the tasting, incidently.)

2002 Frescobaldi Pomino Blanco DOC: Okay, it's Italian, but it was at the same tasting. Light Chardonany notes. Did absolutely nothing for me. (I was imagining Homer Simpson eating rice cakes... "Hello! Hello, taste? Helllo?") The guy next to me brought half a case, though. Different strokes, different folks.

2002 Esx Valley Reserve Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet: Wow. Rich, powerful, kick-ass red. Great mouthfell. A stunner. Screwcapped, and rightly so, as it has long-term cellaring written all over it. Fifty bucks a bottle, though. (And therefore, maybe twice what I can regularly afford. Damn.)

2001 Montrose Mudgee Black Shiraz: This was less than $20, though. Nice powerful Aussie shiraz. Firm, balanced and easier on my wallet. Another Big Tick....