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FWDC Cellar Journal – World Champion Pinot Noir+ 99 Point Super Tuscan

Posted by Andie on November 23, 2010. Category: Cellar Journal Exclusive — Tags: , , , , , ,

Hi to all our valued cellar and selected premium wine customers,

This week see’s the release of the fasted rising Pinot Noir star of the Wairarapa and possibly NZ, ‘GLADSTONE 2009’ conquer all comers from Burgundy, Oregon, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand to take out ‘CHAMPION NZ Pinot Noir’ and ‘CHAMPION Pinot Noir of Show’ at the Cathy Pacific HK International Wine & Spirit Competition.

Big things are on the horizon for Gladstone’s Pinot Noir given the succession of multi-award winning vintages that have led up to this 2009 Global Champion. It is a very complex and beguiling Pinot Noir quite reminiscent of expensive French Burgundy which would have appealed to the International judging panel. 

I have chosen a firm favourite food match of Confit duck and wild mushrooms, the perfect pairing to Gladstone’s 2009 Pinot Noir – Click here to see the recipe

Hot off the press, Tenuta dell Ornellaia 2007 (the greatest 1st Growth Bordeaux style red made outside of Bordeaux-France) has just been rated 99 Points, making this the highest scoring Ornellaia ever – There is only 24 x 750ml bottles available plus 2 x magnums 2 x 3 litres. These 3-litre Ornellaia’s would make a fabulous long term investment purchase. 

The Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve 2007 (formally the Reserve but under its new livery) has scooped up yet another major award taking its tally to 1x Trophy and 4 x Gold Medals – In the top echelon of NZ Syrah and out of the fabulous 2007 Hawkes Bay vintage that could prove to be the greatest vintage this region has yet experienced – Don’t miss this boat!

Finally we’ve seen a major resurgence of demand for premium NZ Chardonnay in 2010; look no further than the 2009 Villa Maria Reserve (Black Label) Hawkes Bay Chardonnay which has cleaned up at the Air NZ Wine awards Trophy & Gold laying claim to the title of ‘Champion Chardonnay’ of Show. This is a Hawkes Bay classic beset with flavours of rich stone fruit, hints of pineapple, cashew, stylish spicy oak and pristine acid. Treat yourself to the best and make sure you cellar a few bottles through 2014+.

If you have tried last week’s food and wine match or are going to cook up a storm with this week’s recipe then we would love to hear your thoughts so please comment on our Blog or contact me directly greg@finewinedelivery.co.nz

Cheers Greg

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FWDC Cellar Journal – Exceptional Organic Martinborough Pinot Noir – Trophy Winning Gimblett Gravels Reds

Posted by Andie on October 26, 2010. Category: Cellar Journal Exclusive — Tags: , , , ,

Hi to all our valued cellar and selected premium wine customers,

New Zealand Pinot Noir has struck again, this time awarded ‘Best in Class’ with a gold medal at the UK International Wine & Spirits Competition. Magnificent, organic Martinborough producer, this is a class act. We’re lucky to have secured a tiny 72 bottle allocation!

Whilst on the topic of Pinot Noir, I was digging through my cellar this weekend and found a lone bottle of La Strada Marlborough Pinot Noir 1999 – my first thoughts was this would probably be past its best (admittedly I took home the new vintage Craggy Range Calvert Pinot Noir 2009 as a backup). However, to my surprise, after a quick decant, this Pinot sprung to life with plenty of red fruits, cherry, cranberry and spice on the nose and followed up on the palate by hints of primary red and black fruits, touches of forest floor, mushroom, new leather and nutmeg spice.

Every once in a while when I’m talking to wine collectors, they tell me of wines they thought were past it and simply throw it out or give it away without even trying it. I shudder to think of how many great wine experiences that have been missed out on.  If you’ve cellared it all that time, it is always worth opening up to see what it is like, you might just get lucky.

If you’ve had a similar experience, it would be great to hear about it so please comment below or contact me directly greg@finewinedelivery.co.nz 

Cheers, Greg

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95pt – Gold Medal – Villa Maria Wairau Sauvignon Blanc – A star of a wine. See Jeff’s video review

Posted by Andie on March 18, 2010. Category: FineWineTV — Tags: , , ,

Villa Maria are NZ’s most awarded wines. It is often easy to overlook the quality of larger wineries like Villa Maria and many people don’t realise that the great wines of Esk Valley and Vidal are also a part of the Villa Maria stable. Across the board they make excellent quality wines representing fantastic value at every price point. The Single Vineyard and Reserve wines are truly something special. The no compromise approach is evident in the fruit purity, intensity and complexity of all their prestige wines. This Sauvignon is an absolute star – check out Jeff’s video review for more details. (more…)

Alastair Maling MW, Villa Maria Group Winemaker on ageing NZ Sauvignon

Posted by Tracey on March 15, 2010. Category: Wine News — Tags: , , , ,

Following on from last week’s discussion surrounding my ‘wine revelation’  – a 13-year old NZ Sauvignon Blanc, I contacted Alastair Maling MW for his thoughts on the wonderful experience we had. Here are his comments on Villa Maria’s Sauvignon Blanc and ageing Sauvignon in general. Some really interesting comments as follows – Cheers, Tracey. (more…)

Ageing NZ Sauvignon Blanc – Really!

Posted by Tracey on March 10, 2010. Category: Wine News — Tags: , , ,

I had a ‘wine revelation’ this week.

A cellar customer gave us a bottle of 1997 Villa Maria Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc. Needless to say I was very dubious as to whether we even bothered to take the cork out of it. When I looked at the bottle, it wasn’t the orange oxidised colour I expected. It still had good clarity and out of pure curiosity I stuck it in the fridge to chill it down and have a try.

WOW – I couldn’t believe it! (more…)

 
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