Tag Archives: Hawke’s Bay

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 →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

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 →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Church Road Tom McDonald Chardonnay 2006

Posted on 10 August 2012 by Gary Bowering

Yellow gold with a hint of green. Mealy notes, ripe stonefruits, smoke and nuts; wonderful complex nose. Complexity on the palate too with primary stonefruit, malo and oak with secondary characters that reflect the nose: smoke, nuts and bready yeast. … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brookfields Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot Reserve (gold label) 2004

Posted on 2 January 2012 by Gary Bowering

Obvious amber edge. Smoky cedar fragrance, forest floor, dark red berries and plums, and a little chocolate; very complex. Palate smooth and elegant with some smokiness, smooth tannins and plummy fruit. A lovely wine. Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand 19/20 [tasted … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

Alluviale Cabernet/Merlot/Franc 2003

Posted on 8 September 2011 by Gary Bowering

Good deep red robe. Big nose of fruit, but elegant with it, red fruits and berries, florals and violets, plums and blackberries, very good. Plums, blackberries, blackcurrants and some lovely smokiness and cedar. Long, long finish with fruit lingering. Good … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Brookfields Hillside Syrah 2001

Posted on 15 August 2011 by Gary Bowering

Good robe with mid-deep colour and surprisingly fresh looking. Rhone nose with plummy fruit and both black and white pepper and a hint of vanilla. Mellow, aged fruit on the palate. Finishes crisp with some clean acid, red fruits and … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Te Mata Awatea 2002

Posted on 25 June 2011 by Gary Bowering

Amber edge. Ribena blackcurrant nose with dark plums. Lovely mellow wine, good tannins and acid in balance. Ripe cabernet dark fruits and merlot plums. Long finish with moreish fruit lingering. Te Mata’s website notes: “Awatea 2002 is a blend of … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Matariki Reserve Syrah 2000

Posted on 18 June 2011 by Gary Bowering

Medium-deep robe, good colour – no sign of age, although this shows on the nose. Touch of lanolin, and mix of black and white pepper. Fruit a bit behind the acid now. Elegant in its own way – red fruits … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

Brookfields Hillside Syrah 2001

Posted on 9 January 2011 by Gary Bowering

This wine was pretty good on release but it’s aged to be even better. Some won’t like this because it’s more ‘French’ Syrah than ‘Aussie’ Shiraz… but I do – a lot. Chocolate and mixed black and white pepper on the nose. … Continue reading →

Posted in Wine Notes | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment