Wine of the Month
Waipara Springs 2007 and 2008 Premo Pinot Noir
Made from some of the oldest vines in the Waipara Valley, the 2007 is listed Best New Zealand New Release Pinot Noir in U.S. Wine Spectator Magazine, April 2008, and received 93/100 points. The just released 2008 also hits those straps, a deep, dense Pinot with bramble, cranberry and complex forest floor aromas from clay and limestone rich soil with ripe tannins and complex savoury characters.
Part of their food focussed PREMO range, the 2007 is deeply coloured with sweet red berry fruit and vanilla aromas over hints of barnyard, woven with the finest of tannins. U.S. Wine Spectator Magazine, February 2009 voted it No. 1 New Release Pinot Noir from New Zealand, saying of it "Smooth, round and beautifully focused offering a gorgeous mouthful of nutmeg and cream-accentuated currant and blueberry flavours, expanding and sailing effortlessly through the long, expressive finish. Drink now through 2015". Only 1,000 cases made. 93/100.
Current stockists in Ireland:
Redmonds, Ranelagh; The Wine Boutique, Ringsend; Hollands Fine Wines; D-Six, Harolds Cross; Sweeney's Wine Merchants; Lilac Wines; McHughs Off-Licences, Kilbarrack and Malahide Road; 64 Wine, Glasthule; Donnybrook Fair; Thomas’s, Foxrock; The Corkscrew, Chatham St; The Wine Centre, Kilkenny; Masters Wine Warehouse, Waterford; Clada/Thomas Woodberrys, Galway; Karwig Wines, Carrigaline; Curious Wines, Bandon.
E-mail Joyce for more on the superlative Waipara Springs range.
Other top picks worth trying now in Ireland’s shops:
Best value Sauvignon Blanc - Wingspan 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson Great value wine. Fresh and vibrant with strong, finely balanced ripe melon and lime flavour showing excellent ripeness and length.
Tussock 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson Mouthfilling, richly flavoured with ripe aromas and fresh rich, tropical fruit and herbal flavours lingering very nicely. Wonderful luncheon, or entertaining Savvie. 4.5 stars in New Zealand's Winestate Tasting 2009 and Silver medal in New Zealand Royal Easter Show 2009.
Greenhough 2008 Pinot Blanc, Nelson - New variety in the Greenhough range and very rare in New Zealand. Aromas include ripe, fresh pears, star anise and a mealy, savouriness. On the palate a combination of fresh green and ripe pears with gingerbread spice to finish. The wine has a rich, creamy textural mouth-feel with a mellow softness balanced by refreshing minerality. Sophisticated wine with potential for real complexity with time in bottle.
Woollaston 2008 Sauvignon Blanc, Nelson Layers of fresh clean flavours ranging from fresh gooseberry in the front palate, hints of lime in the mid palate and finishing with elegant, crisp passionfruit in a long finish.
Coney 2008 Pizzicato Pinot Noir, Martinborough From the most established home of Pinot Noir in New Zealand, Coney was awarded Gold in the 2008 Royal Easter Show, New Zealand's most prestigious wine competition, and the just released 2008 vintage is looking like it will repeat that accolade. Martinborough is known for its earthy style and the 2008 has deep red, ripe cherry, plum, earthy aromas, sweet berry and vanillin coconut characters and smoky savoury overtones.
Click on CURRENT STOCKISTS on home page for where you can buy these wines.