By Farr Farrside Pinot Noir
Every Gary Farr wine is a work of art, obsession and passion. Considered Australia's finest Pinot Noir winemaker this is his signature varietal from his home ground. No explanation should be required to make the decision to buy any Pinot from Mr Farr. Be warned - highly habit-forming.
Pegasus Bay Prima Donna Pinot Noir
Pegasus Bay have about a dozen different clones of Pinot Noir. With their original plantings, these grow intermingled throughout the various blocks. The vines, many of which are nearly 30 years old and on their own roots, grow on a series of north facing, gradually descending terraces. Traditional Burgundian winemaking methods are used. Bright ruby colour. Its generous aromas and flavours dark cherries, blackberries, raspberries and mulberries, suffused with chocolate mocha and spice. There is an underlying savoury character, suggesting grilled meats and mushrooms with a hint of black olive tapenade. It is seductively light on entry but rapidly expands on the palate to become rich and mouth filling, while retaining elegance and poise. Silky tannins help draw out its lingering aftertaste.
Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir
An intriguing aromatic mix of warm spices, dried herbs, dark red rose petals and dusty cherries. Craggy Range Aroha Pinot Noir is complex and well integrated with fine oak and tannins, which provides the structural backbone.
Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay
Hunting Hill is situated on the hillside just opposite the winery and produces beautifully floral and perfumed Chardonnay with a distinctly liner and long palate.
Levantine Hill Melange Traditionnel Blanc
Drawing its inspiration from the Bordelaise tradition of blending multiple compatible grape varieties; This Levantine Hill Melange Traditionnel Blanc is a complex, aromatic wine that is crafted for its ageing ability. It displays subtle fruit characters of blood orange, musk, ginger, apricot and gooseberry on the nose with well-integrated savoury oak and acidity on the palate. It has a textural silky finish. A perfect foil for Munster or similar washed-rind cheese.
Domaine Weinbach Cuvee Theo Riesling
Taking its name from the Capuchin friars who arrived in 1619, the Clos is protected from winds by the surrounding hills and by the walls enclosing it. The soils here consist of sand, alluvial pebbles and granitic gravel and this produces a Riesling as zippy, zesty and mineral-driven as it is fleshy. White peach, green and yellow citrus along with melon, kaffir lime and lemongrass notes. Lovely texture and a vibrant, fresh finish.
Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis Cote De Lechet
From the famed premier cru site of Cote de Lechet, this boasts an ultra elegant nose of citrus zest blossom, oyster shell, warm stone and lemon zest. A fantastic old school style of Chablis that also offers fantastic value for money for a wine at this quality level.
Levantine Hill Katherine's Paddock Chardonnay
This Katherines Paddock Chardonnay combines the richness, drive and classicism of one clone with the fine-boned flinty structure and chalky notes of the other. It is stylish with the modern expression of Australian style Chardonnay: tense, taut and sulphidic. It reclaims the middle ground where body, flavour and palate weight co-exist with structure, texture and restrained acidity. This single-vineyard Chardonnay has well integrated natural acidity with rich varietal expression.
Bass Phillip Estate Pinot Noir
A complex wine with superb fruit intensity and structure, Bass Phillips Estate Pinot Noir displays vibrant red berry fruit and layers of earthy, minerally complexity that unfurl and evolve over time.
Lumiere Les Enfants Koshu Shiro
Les Enfants Koshu Shiro 2015 is light with a soft aroma of pear and freshness of lemon or green apple. Very subtle character of oak is nicely blended. This is a well detailed white wine that pairs well with Sweet Miso Grilled Cod, Creamy Chicken or Camembert Cheese.