Barrell Hall at Stonecroft
Sam Kim

 

in the current issue - Wine orbit issue 10 (May 2011).

NZ Sauvignon Blanc (161 wines reviewed) - Predominantly from the 2009 vintages

NZ Rosé & Other Whites (37 wines reviewed)

Sparkling Wines NZ & Others (33 wines reviewed)

New Releases and wines of interest

Neudorf 30-year celebration

Sacred hill 'Special Selection'

Te Mata 2007s & 2008s

Domaine Faiveley New releases

gonzalez byass dinner

 

 

 

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Welcome to Wine Orbit

Welcome to Wine Orbit - a bi-monthly (subscription-only) publication featuring reviews of New Zealand wines and wines of the world. Its aim is to provide you with independent, extensive and detailed wine reviews, written by a senior wine judge. It's your ultimate New Zealand Wine Review.
 
SAM'S WINE OF THE DAY
 

 
 Nautilus Estate Marlborough Chardonnay 2010  (NZ$35, 94 points). 
Nautilus Chardonnays have been excellent over the years, however, this 2010 offering is stunning. Stunningly beautiful. The wine is elegant and refined, yet not short of delicious flavours, displaying white peach, mango, cream and subtly infused vanillin oak characters with a hint of flint on the nose. It's beautifully fruited and succulent on the palate with silky texture and a fabulously long finish. A youthful wine with a huge potential to develop gratifying complexity.
At its best: now to 2015. $35.00 14% Screw cap. http://www.nautilusestate.com/
 
 
 
 
Previous Wines of the Day
 
 
Michelle Richardson Pinot Rosé 2010 (NZ$23, 91 points). Rosé is not just for hot summer days. This is a seriously good wine for anytime of the year. More generous and opulent than most, displaying lifted aromas of red cherry, plum and floral characters. The palate is succulent and weighty with smooth texture and a gentle dry finish. At its best: now to 2012. www.richardsonwines.co.nz
 
Blackenbrook Reserve Pinot Noir 2009 (NZ$31, 94 points). Well known for their gorgeous aromatic wines, Daniel and Ursula Schwarzenbach have fashioned this impressive Pinot. It's youthful yet immensely appealing, displaying red/black cherry, spice, game and cedary oak characters. The palate is concentrated and dense with silky texture and plenty of fine, polished tannins. At its best: now to 2016.
www.blackenbrook.co.nz
 
CJ Pask Declaration Chardonnay 2007 (NZ$41, 95 points). I have tasted this wine several times over the last year, and it's looking better and better ever time I try it. The wine was fermented in new French oak then matured and stirred on lees for 11 months. A magnificent nose displaying stonefruit, buttered popcorn and vanillin oak characters with a hint of mealy notes. The palate is concentrated and beautifully textured with excellent mid palate weight and well integrated acidity. The wine is full-flavoured yet shows lovely poise and firm structure. At its best: now to 2013. $41.00 Moderate availability. 13.5% Screw cap. www.cjpaskwinery.co.nz.
 

 

Wine Orbit highly recommends LOCKHART LEGAL.

 

 
 
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John Hall, Wine Enthusiast, Auckland, New Zealand
 
 

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