Category Archives: Wine Notes

Wine tasting notes.

Château d’Yquem Winemaker’s Dinner

Posted on 24 August 2018 by Gary Bowering

On 24 August I was lucky enough to be invited to be one of 16 lucky wine enthusiasts to attend the Château d’Yquem Winemaker’s Dinner with Jean-Philippe Lemoine. Five wines with matching dishes from the talented Ben Battersby were served at … Continue reading →

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Tony Bish Fat n Sassy Chardonnay 2014

Posted on 17 October 2015 by Gary Bowering

Mid straw gold. Nose a little closed at the moment, but it’s all there – ripe stone fruit with some nice fragrant tropical and lemon/citrus too, yeasty/mealy lees notes and just enough malo butter to be interesting. With time in … Continue reading →

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Fairmont Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Posted on 7 December 2013 by Gary Bowering

Quite a deep colour for a SB – green/gold. Nose: wow! Ripe tropical fruit in the melon and guava spectrum but the varietal tomato leaf is there, and even a hint of tomato skin as well; palate is a slightly … Continue reading →

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Consumer NZ 2013 whites tasting

Posted on 1 December 2013 by Gary Bowering

The December issue of Consumer NZ has the report of the panel blind tasting of New Zealand whites under $30. We tasted 60 wines, all purchased off-the-shelf by Consumer NZ. As with any panel, the scores among the judges varied, … Continue reading →

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Church Road Sauvignon Blanc Hawke’s Bay 2012 – quick note

Posted on 23 August 2013 by Gary Bowering

Neither here nor there, this lacks both the punch of a good Sauvignon Blanc and the complexity and interest of a wine with the oak. Back label says a small proportion was fermented in a 7500 litre oak cuve. I … Continue reading →

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Mt Olympus Chardonnay 2011

Posted on 24 November 2012 by Gary Bowering

Green gold, mid depth. Nutty, mealy lees; ripe peaches. Ripe fruit style but with acid and mineral backbone. Clean with a good finish. A very good wine for the price. 13.5% Marlborough, New Zealand 17/20 [tasted 24-11-2012] Bought www.blackmarket.co.nz. Very … Continue reading →

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Waipara Riesling Challenge Simon Waghorn 2010

Posted on 12 September 2012 by Gary Bowering

Pale green/yellow. Lime and citrus, lovely ripe fruit and a light touch of kerosene there too. Lovely medium-sweet palate with delicate lime/citrus and white florals, acid in balance. Long finish and ripe fruits linger. Very good wine. Waipara, New Zealand … Continue reading →

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Waipara Riesling Challenge Duncan Forsyth 2010

Posted on 12 September 2012 by Gary Bowering

Pale green-gold. Lime, citrus, some tropical fruits and a hint of kerosene. Quite ripe fruit on the palate, some citrus and background notes of kerosene. Good finish with cleansing acid and lime lasting. Good wine. Waipara, New Zealand 17.5/20 [tasted … Continue reading →

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Waipara Riesling Challenge Ant McKenzie 2010

Posted on 12 September 2012 by Gary Bowering

Touch of gold. White flowers, some petrol with lime and sweet citrus. Medium sweet, some citrus but lacking in the mid-palate; nose much better than the palate. Length is just OK. Waipara, New Zealand 16/20 [tasted 24-06-2012] www.rieslingchallenge.co.nz Ant McKenzie … Continue reading →

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Waipara Riesling Challenge Paul Bourgeois 2010

Posted on 12 September 2012 by Gary Bowering

Light green-gold. Lime, lemon, some florals and a little kerosene. Just off-dry; good citrus fruit and some florals but a hint of vegetal stalkiness too, although this reduces with time in the glass. Finish is average but in balance. Nice … Continue reading →

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