Craggy Range Winery Te Muna Road Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2003
Martinborough, New Zealand $26.60 (818468)
Glorious SB aromatics of nettles, white peaches and grapefruit waft from this low-yield Kiwi white. The silky smooth palate offers up zingy essences of gooseberries and passion fruit before the laser-like citrussy finish cleans it up nicely. Words like complex and luscious come to mind. This is a classic food wine, fresh and clean, begging for seared scallops or steamed mussels Provençal. Order, by the case of 12, via Aaron Shaw This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. website www.liffordwineagency.com (VH)
Craggy Range Winery Gimblett Gravels Vineyard Merlot 2002
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand $47.10 (778910)
A stunning wine. Black plum and black currant aromas gush from the glass along with hints of raisins and spice. The full-bodied palate offers up an elegant mélange of flavours including Xmas cake spice, ripe cherries and touches of coffee and chocolate. The luxuriating finish concentrates on more of the same underpinned by deft handling of oak that truly shows off the unique terroir and meticulous wine making practices. Drink now until 2015. Order, by the case of 12, via Aaron Shaw This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. website www.liffordwineagency.com (VH)
United States
Beaulieu Vineyard Coastal Estates Cabernet Sauvignon 2002
California $11.95
A rich, generous, juicy Cab at a very good price. Look for quite concentrated dark fruit aromas and flavours with hints of spice, pepper, mint and vanilla. Its full-fruit right through, and has a very decent finish. The tannins are light, the balance is right, and its a versatile red for dishes as varied as steak and rich vegetarian dishes with mushroom and tomato bases. Order by the case from Wendy Cheropita at Diageo Canada Inc., 416 626 2000 ext 2277. (RP)
Upstream in Vintages
Esk Valley Chardonnay 2004
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand $19.95 (595538)
A powerful leesy nose is overlaid with tropical fruit and vanilla notes. Gorgeously textured; flavours include, pineapple, figs and nectarines. This Burgundy-styled beauty showcases Hawkes Bay as a first class Chardonnay producer. It has it all: French and American barriques, partial malolactic, tank and barrel fermentation plus low yields from a variety of vineyard sites. The plush and lengthy finish also rewards the taster. (VH)
Esk Valley Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 2002
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand $19.95 (914341)
Blackberries and ripe cherries greet the nose, following through on the palate along with coffee and chocolate. Good grip from quite firm tannin underpins this wine, portending ageing potential. If you believe in terroir or horses for courses, Merlot (this one is 58%) is the champion in Hawkes Bay. The full-bodied palate exudes ripe black fruit, perfectly balanced with good acidity and a lengthy, full throttle finish. Drink 2006-2010. (VH)
Sileni Estates Saigneé Rosé Merlot 2004
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand $14.95 (599951)
Beautifully perfumed aromatics of raspberries and plums are followed by a gutsy wine, taking the taster by surprise. Complex flavours of plums, cherries and black currants are backed by silky tannins that underpin this well structured, light to medium bodied rosé. This premium winery also boasts an Epicurean Centre and this wine could easily stand up to herbed and buttered grilled salmon or most veal dishes. Sensational value. (VH)
Vidal Estate Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2003
Hawkes Bay, New Zealand $19.95 (700617)
Cassis, tobacco and leather aromatics lead the way to this extremely well-priced 75% Cab/25% Merlot blend. An interesting and involved palate of furry tannins, good acidity, ripe black cherries and tar portend a long life for this classy red. The tiny bit of Malbec / Syrah round it all out, providing good complexity and balance. A classic example of careful fruit selection and handling coalescing with painstaking wine making practices to produce a gorgeous wine in a challenging vintage. Bravo, Vidal! Drink 2007 20012. (VH)