Wine Review: Jayson Bryant and Carol Bunn of Locharburn taste the Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and Pinot Noir 2008 from Locharburn.

http://www.thewinevault.co.nz

Wine Review: Jayson Bryant and Carol Bunn of Locharburn taste the Sauvignon Blanc 2010 and Pinot Noir 2008 from Locharburn.

http://www.thewinevault.co.nz

This is the wine chosen for International Cabernet Sauvignon Day September 2nd.
The event was organised by Rick Bakas of St Supery Winery California http://cabernet.eventbrite.com/

Best’s Great Western have some of the oldest vines in Australia and have decided to launch their wines on Twitter.

This wine is definitely Australian, not that this bothers me at all, with the rich black fruit on the nose. Too young and closed but does reward when decanted for a couple of hours. There is ample of fruit and subtle use of oak on the palate.
Consider cellaring this wine for 4-6 years and you’ll be rewarded for sure.

89 Points
4 Stars
RRP $25

BEST’S HOST TWITTER LAUNCH ON SEPTEMBER 1st 2010

In one of the first launch events of its kind to be staged by an Australian winery, the Best’s team are hosting a ‘Tweet Up’ on September 1, 2010. The aim of this innovative launch platform is to encourage people to share their thoughts about the new Best’s wines in a virtual interaction session with the winemaking team and other wine lovers. Utilising twitter will put Best’s Great Western firmly in the interactive playground of their drinkers.

“We are taking the sociability of wine to the next level and encouraging people to gather friends, open the wines around the dinner table and have some fun using social media platforms as a vehicle to discuss the wines. We’re also encouraging retailers and on premise outlets to get involved and foster some in store theatre and fun.” said Jonathan Mogg, Best’s General Manager – Sales & Marketing.

Anyone can participate in this landmark event by talking about Best’s wines on Twitter, using the #Bestswines. Consumers can purchase a ‘Best’s Twitter Trial Trio’ pack for $60 (plus delivery charges) from the Best’s website or buy any of the specified Best’s wines from fine wine retailers.

The Twitter Trial packs contain a bottle of each of the new release wines and Tweet Up instructions.

In addition to the day of tweeting, a dedicated interactive session will be hosted by Best’s Winemaker, Adam Wadewitz and General Manager – Sales & Marketing, Jonathan Mogg from 7.00-8.30pm AEST on September 1. This session will allow consumers to directly ask questions about the new releases or other Best’s wines in their cellar. People can register their involvement for the event at http://bestswines.eventbrite.com

There will also be a live site dinner @FixStJames in Sydney

Top 10 Pinot Noirs
Schubert, Marion’s and Block B Pinot Noir, Martinborough-Wairarapa, New Zealand 2008

Top 10 Sweet Wines
Seifried, Sweet Agnes Riesling, Nelson, New Zealand 2009
Sweet New Zealand over £10 Regional Trophy

Top 10 Sauvignon Blancs
Kim Crawford, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2009
Gold medal

Mud House, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2009
Gold medal

Invivo, Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2009
Gold medal

Nobilo, Icon Series Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, New Zealand 2009
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc over £10 Regional Trophy

Pinot Noir Over £10
Schubert Block B Pinot Noir 2008
Martinborough, Wairarapa, New Zealand
(Red – Still)
Forceful, vibrant and succulent fruits, with sweet strawberry and loganberry flavour. Fine concentration and a fresh splash of acidity. Very long and sleek.

Sweet Over £10
Seifried Sweet Agnes Riesling 2009
Nelson, New Zealand
(White – Sweet)
Deep gold shade, very honeyed and waxy on the nose and with loads of floral character. Aromatic, luscious, juicy and intense with a racy but balanced acidity with excellent length.

Wine Review: Jayson Bryant and Justin Flitter taste Sean Thackrey’s Pleiades XIX wine from Marin California.

http://www.thewinevault.co.nz

Best’s Wines was established in 1866 by the pioneering Henry Best and sold to neighbour and second generation vigneron, Frederick P Thomson in 1920.

Now a fourth generation vigneron, Viv Thomson and son Ben continue to combine traditional methods with modern technology.

This early release Riesling from 2010 displays a lemon and lime combo with sweet aromas of freshly cut flowers. The palate is full bodied and continues the citrus theme with tort acid balance and minerality.

89 Points
4 Stars
RRP $25

Wine Review: Jayson Bryant and Pieter Rodenberg, fresh back from England, taste Oyster bay Merlot from Hawke’s Bay.
www.thewinevault.co.nz

This is a wanton woman, the type who seduces you from the moment you set eyes on her. She makes the first move and shows you what might be on offer with her sultry eyes and smile. light in colour but more complex than Angelina Jolie!

The wine is made from Sangiovese, Viognier, Mouvedre, Syrah, and petite Syrah plus others. The nose is very layered with complexity not seen often in the new world. Hints of bacon, raspberry, salt, liquorice and a herbal character. The palate is seductive, sweet red fruit coerce you into wanting more. There are subtle mineral characters, with beautiful tannic structure and complexity.

93 points
5 Stars
RRP $25

1994 was the first release of the Ngatarawa Noble Riesling.

The aromas are of peach with honey dripped all over it, slight hint of oats but the length and structure of this 16 year old is incredible. The acid is present and the fruit voluptuous, considering this was the first ever vintage of this wine. Starting to feel a little tired but great nonetheless.

4 Stars
88 Points
RRP $28

87 Points
4 stars
RRP $25