William Murdoch ‘The Guardsman’ 2009

William Murdoch ‘The Guardsman’ 2009 $65  Built around a solid spine of cabernet sauvignon, and with absolutely no insecticide, herbicide, pesticide, or systemic or non-organic chemicals of any kind being used; this wine is about as organic and natural as they come.  Crafted by Hayden Penny from fruit sourced from Hawke’s Bay’s Gimblett Gravels, this [...]

Te Mata Coleraine 2009

The Te Mata Coleraine 2009 $80  is absolutely destined for greatness.  A blend of 52% cabernet sauvignon, 43% merlot and 5% cabernet franc, the colour is impenetrably inky, glossy magenta-black. Perfumed with dark berries, exotic spices cocoa and rose, it oozes plush, plump fruit, soft, smoky notes, youthful acidity and has silky, ribbon-like tannins on the finish.  [...]

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009

Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009 $57  Glossy, magenta flecked with crimson it has exotic plum blossom, blackberry and cocoa aromas and one sip shows beautiful, multilayered texture in the mouth.  Excellent fruit concentration, and the 37% cabernet sauvignon component is robust and ripe providing a solid backbone for the merlot, malbec and franc.  It [...]

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009

Jacob’s Creek Reserve Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2009 $21 * * * ½ Dried herbs, ripe plum, sweet cocoa, wild mint and a vein of smoky, cedary, spiciness will wash across your tastebuds as soon as you sip this gutsy red.  The acidity is fresh and the tannins quite chewy, which bodes well for those of [...]

Alpha Domus The Navigator

Alpha Domus The Navigator 2004 $25 ***** The fact that this wine is only $25 a bottle astounds me. It is one of Hawkes Bay’s most popular Bordeaux blends and after one sip it’s glaringly obvious as to why. It’s almost a crime to have this wine shut away in a bottle – there should [...]