My DRUNK Guide

Honorary Phoenix Estate' Hawke's Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2016   Honorary Phoenix Estate' Hawke's Bay Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 Wines from Indevin ALC 13.0% Clear, deep garnet, dark pink rim, persistent legs. Sweet spice like cinnamon and black pepper, dark cherry and plum. Silky tannin, medium-bodied, well-balanced overall in term of mouthfeel and acidity.

Ant Moore Spinning Top Serendipity Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014   Spinning Top Serendipity Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014  (Marlborough, New Zealand) ALC 12.5% Clear ruby, pink hue. Ripe plum, cherry and some vanilla. Soft silky tannin, finish off medium, lengthy with cherry. Easy drinking.

2015 SMALL AND SMALL Penelope Reserve Pinot Noir   2015 SMALL AND SMALL Penelope Reserve Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) Alc 13.5%, 100% Pinot Noir Deep ruby, brown hue. Cherry, plum and light spices.

TINPOT HUT Barker Vineyard Riesling 2018   TINPOT HUT Barker Vineyard Riesling 2018 (Marlborough, New Zealand) ALC 11 %, TA 8.5 g/l, RS 14 g/l, pH 3.22 Clear pale straw. Citrus, apple sorbet, some stone fruits and honey. Medium sweet, balanced acidity with lemon sherbet custard tart, medium finish.

Villa Maria Ihumatao Verdelho Organic 2013   Villa Maria Ihumatao Verdelho Organic 2013 (Auckland, New Zealand) ALC 13.5% Clear straw and light green hue. Aroma of yellow stone fruits, kamquat, petrol and sweet spice. Citrus and stone fruits and quince. Lengthy on finish, good acidity and light bitterness.

Morton Estate White Label Pinot Noir   Morton Estate White Label Pinot Noir (Marlborough, New Zealand) ALC 13.0% Ruby, clear, pink hue. Delicate strawberry, cherry and floral with mild sweet oak. Light to medium-bodied, easy-going, soft & silk tannin. Finish off with cherry, sweet oak and spice. Food pairing - pork, duck, pizza and pasta.

Saint Clair Family Estate - Tasting 2019 Saint Clair DAWN Method Traditionelle Vintage 2014 (Created in celebration of and tribute to Dawn Ibbotson, who has now celebrated her 103rd birthday in December 2017.) Alc 12%, 52% Clone 95 Chardonnay & 43% Clone 5 Pinot Noir, NZD 49.00 Medium straw, fine bubbles. Lemon sherbet, cream, kamquat nose. Semi-dry, hint of biscuit note, lengthy acidity. (Wine of the day at tasting.) Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2018 Alc 12.5%,  RS 2.3g/L, Acidity 7.5g/litre, pH 3.38, NZD 33.90 Clear pale straw. Sweet honeysuckle, picking up guava, passionfruit. Dry, mineral, wet stones, lengthy finish with guava and mandarin peel. Saint Clair Pioneer Block 27 Sauvignon Blanc 2018 NZD 25.90 Clear straw. Lime and passionfruit, whiff of peach and lychee. Light to medium dry, finish of with citrus rinds. Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Chardonnay 2017 Alc 13%, TA 6.1g/L, RS 2.8g/L, pH: 3.25, NZD 37.90 Pale gold. Citrus and...

FROMM Tasting 2019 (re-visit)   Deluxe Wine Tasting This was a re-visit to FROMM as the past experience did not turn out well due to the presence of fruit flies. I must say FROMM did take comment seriously and warmly welcomed me back. Their tasting price tag quite steep compared to their peers in Marlborough region but they produced some of the best wines with style. Pinot Naturel by FROMM 2018 Alc 12.5%, 100% Pinot Noir - Organic no adjustment no additives The approach of making this wine is to produce a pure wine displaying the fruits of the vineyard. (Neutral barrel, MLF) Clear garnet, purple hue. Hints of ripe red fruits, dried cherries and raspberries. Light bodied, elegant acidity, finish short but clean and gentle. FROMM Pinot Noir 2017 Alc 13.5%, 100% Pinot Noir Blend of few parcels of fruits from sub-regions (Brancott, Waihopai & Wairau Valley). Clear garnet, clear pink hue with touch of warm tone. Aromas of strawberry lollies, asian spices ...

Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 photo credit:  https://www.villamariawines.com/wines/hawkes-bay-merlot-cabernet-sauvignon-pb/ Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot - Cabernet Sauvignon 2017, Hawkes Bay, New Zealand 13% Alc, Merlot and Cab Sau Blend. 100% crushed and destemmed. Pressed off skins and aged in tank and barrel for 12 months. Deep clear garnet. Red and dark fruits, cherry and plums, subtle banana notes. Dry and medium bodied. Medium tannin and finishing.

Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2014   Whitehaven Marlborough Chardonnay 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand 14% Alc, 100% Chardonnay. 1.5L Magnum bottle. Clear, pale straw, long legs. Tropical fruits like pineapple, mango; honet, citrus peel, subtle oak and butterscotch. Medium bodied, balanced and mellow acidity, long finish with citrus.

No. 1 Family Estate Wine Tasting 2019 No.1 Assemble, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 13%, 60% Chardonnay, 35% Pinot Noir, 5% Pinot Meunier, 18 months on lees, Brut Fruity bouquet of citrus and light peaches. Crispy and creamy on palate. No. 1 Cuvée, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 12%, 100% Chardonnay, 24 months on lees, Brut Fresh, ripe citrus fruits and hints of bready nose. Fruit forward and refreshing, with finesse and elegance.

FROMM Tasting 2019 (First) Mixed Wine Tasting FROMM Pinot Gris 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 12.5% Light orange colour and hue. Musty character of orange blossom. Light sweetness. FROMM Chardonnay 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 14.5% Clear golden, yellow hue. Citrus nose. Bight acid and medium weight on palate. FROMM Pinot Noir 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 13.5% Clear ruby. Green and stalky nose with hint of red cherries. Medium with balanced acidity. FROMM Syrah 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 12%, 98% Syrah, 2% Viognier Northern Rhone style Ruby deep purple colour. White pepper and black fruits, medium bodied and balance tannin. FROMM Gewürztraminer Late Harvest 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 12%, RS 59.4g/L Lychee, mandarin and honey nose. Refreshing, honey texture and finish off nutt. FROMM Riesling Beerenauslese 2018 Alc 7.5%, RS 180g/L This is the wine of the day at this tasting. Candied ginger and honey mango nose....

Highfield Terravin Tasting 2019   Highfield Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 13% Clear pale straw. Terpene nose almost like a late harvest Riesling with green herbs and citrus. Dry and crispy, clean acidity. Terravin Sauvignon Blanc 2013, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 13.5% Clear pale straw. Wild ferment nose of green capsicum. Mellow medium finish due to the ageing, lengthy.   Terravin Te Ahu Chardonnay 2014, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 14% New generation, New style Chardonnay Direct press into french barriques and wild ferment. Vanilla and coconut aromas. Medium dry on palate.   Highfield Rose 2016, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 13.5%, 100% Pinot Noir Clear, deep pink. Sweet nose of strawberry lollies. Crispy and off dry lingering with strawberries an cherries.   Highfield Riesling 2015, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 12% Clear golden, yellow hue. Terpene, pineapple and honey nose. (Thiols) Light bodied, medi...

Rippon "Emma's Block" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2015   Rippon "Emma's Block" Mature Vine Pinot Noir 2015, Central Otago, New Zealand Tasted at school sensory for export licensing. Bright ruby. Rose and red fruits. Medium bodied and good mouthfeel.

Old Coach Road Nelson Unoaked Chardonnay 2018 - Seifried Estate   Old Coach Road Nelson Unoaked Chardonnay 2018 - Seifried Estate, Nelson, New Zealand Tasted at school sensory for export licensing. Bright golden. Pineapple, coconut and citrus. Light to medium bodied, balance acid, creamy texture with mangoes and peaches on finishing.

ME by Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019   ME by Matahiwi Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2019, Marlborough, New Zealand Tasted at school sensory for export licensing. Clear pale straw Passion fruit, citrus and apple. Light mellow acid, clean finish with melon lingering on palate.

Carrick 'Unravelled' Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018   Carrick 'Unravelled' Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018, Central Otago, New Zealand. 1.5L Magnum bottle. Tasted at school sensory for export licensing. Clear garnet. Red fruits like berry, plum and cedar. Young Pinot Noir, supple tannin, richness and astringency Bright potential for ageing and will drink beautifully.

Kim Crawford Small Parcels Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc 2018   Kim Crawford Small Parcels Spitfire Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough, New Zealand Tasted at school sensory for export licensing. Clear pale straw. Typical Marlborough SB note of passion fruity. Quite weight and has long finishing.

Mt. Difficulty Tinwald Burn Field Blend 2018   Mt. Difficulty Inspiration 2018, Central Otago, New Zealand Blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer Tasted at school sensory for export licensing. Pale straw. Asian spices, citrus peel. Light and floral, feather light on palate.

Cloudy Bay Te Koko 2008   Cloudy Bay Te Koko 2008, Marlborough, New Zealand Alc 13.5% Drank during Sauvignon Blanc Day 2019 at Cloudy Bay Vineyards Pale straw and light green hue. Aroma of green herbs and oak fills the nose. Medium bodied, citrus characters, finish off with some Asian spices.