Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2012

In this episode of unscrewed TV I taste one of marlborough’s finest Sauvignon Blancs. Saint Clair winery, in Marlborough, New Zealand, are world renowned for making some of the best show stopping Sauvignon Blancs in the world.

In the first episode of unscrewed in 2013 I taste Huia Pinot Noir 2003 from Marlborough. A great winery from Marlborough. A member of the Mana group of artisinal Marlborough wineries where organics and biodynamics are core values.

Rick Stein chats about France, New Zealand food and wine and his time spent in New zealand. Rick Stein was one of the celebrity chefs at Taste of New Zealand in Victoria Park Auckland.

Mission Estate ‘Fete’ Sparkling wine

In this latest episode I taste Mission Estate ‘Fete’ Sparkling wine. It’s almost Christmas and is certainly a BBQ sparkling wine. Made from 95% Pinot Gris and 5% Chardonnay, it’s a style of wine usually found, and made in, Alsace.

Air NZ wine awards, Rosé revolution, IWSC, and more

In this episode we celebrate 3 events. The Rosé rev, IWSC, Air NZ wine awards are all announced and running today.
So grab a bottle of Rosé and celebrate with me.

Bannock Brae Barrel Selection Pinot Noir 2010

Firstly I would like to thank the judging panel of the IWSC for short listinghttp://www.unscrewed.co.nz for ‘Wine Blogger of the Year 2012′.
In celebration of being short listed I taste another winner. The Bannock Brae Barrel Selection Pinot Noir 2010 recently took the honour of Wine of the Show, New Zealand International Wine Show 2012.

Nautilus 4 Barriques Pinot Noir 2009 Marlborough

This get pretty interesting when I taste this Pinot Noir from Marlborough, NZ. The Naultilus four barriques Pinot Noir 2009 is only made in very special vintages. The depth and character of this wine simply cannot be conveyed on camera.
At $85 it’s not a midweeker, but definitely worth buying for that very special occasion.

Bilancia La Collina 2009 Hawke’s Bay Syrah

The word  Bilancia (be-larn-cha) means, in Italian, balance, equilibrium and harmony, and that’s what this wine is all about. From the nose through to the finish, this wine delivers. This is a micro winery. Everything about this wine is boutique. Definitely a top 3 contender for New Zealand’s top Syrah.

More European than Australian, the delicate structure and the finesse of this wine are a knockout. The expression of terroir, yep that overused word rears its head, is paramount. The deft use of oak contributes, rather than dominates, to the overall structure and balance. If there’s only 3 NZ Syrahs that you have to taste, make this one of them.

95 Points
5 Stars
RRP $90

Trinity Hill Hommage 2009 Syrah

Trinity Hill Hommage 2009 Syrah from Hawke’s bay is one of the top 3 Syrahs in the country. Chief winemaker and managing director John Hancock has 35 years of experience in New Zealand, Australia and France, graduating from Roseworthy College in South Australia in 1973. Along with his right hand man, and owner of Bilancia, Warren Gibson, Who also makes another top 3 NZ Syrah La Collina, they’ve just about made the perfect Syrah.

Mountford The Gradient Pinot Noir 2009 Waipara

In this video I taste possibly the best New Zealand Pinot Noir. Mountford The Gradient Pinot Noir gives a nod to the old world. The grapes are crushed using the traditional foot stomping technique. This would be up there in my top 5 New Zealand Pinot Noirs that I’ve had the pleasure, and fortune, to taste.