Clearview Estate
Enigma Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2012
And finally, top of the range from Clearview comes an Enigma. Unusual mix percentage 61/31/8 so pretty malbec biased. It has a great nose and tastes very palatable. Obviously we would like a few more years on it and 2012 is a forgettable year. I say I am going to buy some 2013 when that comes on line. For now I have bought the other 2 malbec mixes I have not tasted and will rate those in due course. — 10 years ago
Clearview Estate
Vineyard Selection Chardonnay 2013
2013: Well well what have we here, I have never seen this label before. It is made only in small quantities and manly sold in the local restaurants. It is only lightly oaked so you can actually taste grapes ! It is actually adorable. This is the sort of chardonnay that is seeing it recover internationally. Well that's sad as I don't think you can have any of this. Ha ! — 10 years ago
Te Awa
Left Field Hawkes Bay Rosé Blend 2014
Having spent the morning busy doing nothing, yet getting very warm doing it, Mrs V suggested we adjure to Te Awa. There restaraunt is in the garden with vines beyond, somewhat posh food but not snobby. This years Rose is a different blend of grapes yet bizarrely tastes similar. And we like it. We like Te Awa and their staff are awesome. We left with 6 more wines to report back on. It's a hard life but I will ensure the North Sea. Be wise, wake early ! — 10 years ago
Norbert The Viking
2014: Now we are in the presence of royalty so mind your P's and Qs. Te Mata 'reputedly' make the best NZ red in Coleraine and this is the little brother's er little brother. It is beetroot red showing it is as fresh as a daisy. But the taste is already exceptional for the year and the price at $22. No cab sav grassy rebellion and no merlot tart it is refined, low acid low sweetness. Like the All Blacks No. 10 we obviously have depth in numbers and age. It is a delight to drink and will surely improve. I like it — 10 years ago