Assorted Assortages: Feburary Edition

[Skeeter]

Snuck into the Winemakers Center before work today to check out the monthly tasters. Here's what was on offer:


Kaimara Estate 2003 Sauvingnon Blanc: A small Nelson-based winery produced this one. Nice fruity aromas with a slight hint of armpit. Very crisp and acidic, very drinkable. NZ$18.50/bottle

Kaimira Estate 2003 Brightwater Reisling: Interesting. That's about all I noted about this one. Very different from most dry-ish reisling I've tried, but not really to my tatse. Sorry i can't be more specific, but I was just left a shade neutral here. Also NZ$18.50/bottle

Kaimira Estate: http://www.kaimirawines.com/#

Mystery Creek 2002 Blue Label Chardonnay: A very nice fruit-driven chardonnay, either very lightly oaked or not at all. (Post-google search notes... not at all, as it turns out. Stainless Steel all the way!)Slight buttery character, a good easy-drinker, and a Big Tick of Approval winner from me. NZ$19.50/bottle

Mystery Creek: http://www.mysterycreekwines.co.nz/

Omak Springs 2002 Pinot Noir: VERY perfumed nose, almost like sniffing a bunch of flowers for me. Quite a soft wine with an unfortunatley harsh tannic aftertaste. Probably needs time to smooth out a little. (Or a butt-load of swirling in a big-ass glass first.) Be interesting to try in a year or two. NZ$21.50/bottle

Omaka Springs: www.omaka.co.nz

Mahurangi Estate 2002 Malbec/Cab Sav/Merlot: The first release from Mahurangis own vines, apparently. Lightly oaked, smooth, tons of fruit flavours and one that gets my 18-hour Award. (ie. a wine I could drink all day and half the night.) [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img] NZ$25/bottle

http://www.mahurangi.co.nz/

Had the added bonus of tasting two Rongapai wines that weren't on the tasting list. (I KNEW it paid to get friendly with the staff there!) The 2003 Merlot was fairly restrained, young and easy on the palate. The 2002 Reserve Malbec was incredible, though. Amazing deep purple colour, good firm tannins on the tongue and enough peppery flavours to make a shiraz envious. Not sure of a price range, but it'd be worth whatever they're asking for it, methinks.

http://www.rongopaiwines.co.nz/


[This message has been edited by Skeeter (edited 02-27-2004).]

[winoweenie]

I take it ole' sneaaky-pete these were all NZ issues?. Will do some searching to see if any of the importers are smart enough to bring in these hummers. TANKEE BERRY MUCH!ww

[Thomas]

Hey skeeter, I love your notes and information--don't stop.

But I am wondering what the level of access your way is to wines from the rest of the world. Having never visited NZ (sadly, but I'll get to it one day) I am curious to know what the benchmarks are for your wine industry, if any.

[This message has been edited by foodie (edited 02-27-2004).]

[Skeeter]

There's plenty out there if you look around, especially in the bigger wine stores. (Although I'll admit I'm more likely to grab something local than search for an import.)My notes from the Winemakers Center are all Kiwi-made vintages, though. (It's a tiny place that caters to tourists, offering duty-free shipping around the world, as well as off-the-shelf purchases for us Kiwis.)

Elsewhere, there's probably nearly as many Australian wines available as local bottles, and plenty of choice if you like European wines. (Although you have to be prepared to pay little more. Example being the NZ$50+ Alsace reislings I'd like to try.)

Haven't seen a lot of U.S wine around, though. Maybe some of the specalist wine importers might have some, but I'd have to roam around a little to find out.

[quijote]

Marvellous notes--thank you!

[wondersofwine]

Omaka Springs can be found Stateside. Not sure about the others.

[Skeeter]

Well, if you're into buying by the case, then the store's link is www.nzwinemakerscentre.com

And no, I'm not getting a kickback for plugging the store. Yet. Give me time to work on that. ("Pssst... Skeeter sent me.") [img]http://wines.com/ubb2/smile.gif[/img]