Allan Scott
Babich
Huia
Kim Crawford
Kumeu River
Te Mata
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Te Mata 2001 Chardonnay
comes to us from the Northern Island of New Zealand in Hawks Bay.
Te Mata is the oldest winery on the Island.
The palate has savory green apple, starfruit, and lime zest flavors.
The mid-palate and finish has a mineral zip.
The use of oak in this "Old World" style wine is classic and tasteful.
Retail price $18. Tasted October 8, 2003.
Well crafted chardonnay earning two out of three  .
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Villa Maria 2002 Sauvignon Blanc
Again, I sing the praises of the Stelvin Closure, that is the "screwcap."
This time I've experienced what the Stelvin Closure has to offer.
I tasted the same vintage of this wine ala cork and then blessed with a Stelvin Closure.
The difference was noticable.
The Villa Maria Sauvignon Blanc stored in the Stelvin Closure was fresher tasting, retaining the
livelier, brighter flavors. The wine bottled with a cork closure was still very tasty,
but was noticably not the same.
So don't turn your nose up at the that "screwcap," because as I've said before:
they are more expensive than a cork, they have ten time the strength of a cork,
and they are ten times easier to open!
Back to the wine . . . Villa Maria was very freshing, with flavors of citrus, white flowers, goosberries, and minerals.
Retail price $14. Tasted September 10, 2003. I find this to be an exceptional Kiwi earning two .
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Saint Clair 2002 Sauvignon Blanc
is very fruit forward with crisp, refreshing flavors of grapefruit and the subtle
balance of mineral on the finish.
The acidity was ample enough to balance the big citrus flavors.
It is very "New World" in its style and would pair wonderfully with
fish, chicken, duck, pasta with lighter sauces.
Retail price $15. Tasted September 10, 2003. Big, balanced, and fun earning one  .
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Kumeu River 2002 Pinot Gris
New Zealand has the weather for growing elegant pinot gris.
I found this wine to have spring blossoms on the nose with citrus and honey on the palate.
The balance between acidity and fruit was very refreshing.
It had a touch of the Alsacian elegance and the fruit and acidity of Friuli.
Retail price $15. Tasted August 20, 2003. Good choice with one .
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Kumeu River 2000 Pinot Noir has a Burgundian style to it that makes it
very interesting to contemplate.
The nose reminds me of cherry hard candy.
The fruit has light with notes of raspberries, strawberries, and chocolate,
while a savory flavor of wild cherries builds on the mid palate.
The finish is very long and developes in your mouth as white pepper.
I suspect this wine will age gracefully for the next 3-5 years since this was a low-yeild harvest and
the fruit was exceptionally ripe.
Retail price $27. Tasted August 20, 2003. Drinking great now and later with two .
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2002 Allan Scott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
is a fine example of New Zealand intersected with a polished White Bordeaux style.
This Sauv Blanc has a little white asparagus on the nose and the distinctive
grapefruit crispness, yet has an subtle, elegant mineral edge.
The finish has a hint of honey.
Allan Scott's wine shows that he does not follow trends nor does he look to maximize every penny.
Fortuneately for us, he strives to be more of an artist than business man.
This wine set the benchmark for elegance in "Kiwi" Sauvignon Blancs.
Retail price $13. Rated May 14, 2003. We gave this wine two .
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2002 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc has a zesty grapefruit crispness, great acidity,
and long lychee finish. I love the Stevin Closure too. This classic example of a "Kiwi" Sauv Blanc will complement
most summer chicken and seafood dishes.
Retail price is $15. Rated June 28, 2003. We gave this wine one .
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2002 Babich Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc pegs the meter when it comes to zest grapefruit while the mango
finish lingers in your mouth. This is New World Sauv Blanc at it's best with refreshing acidity and
an easy price tag.
Retail price $11. Rated January 8, 2003. We give this wine one .
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Huia 2002 Riesling
is an intersection of Alsace and "New World," fruit foward, Kiwi style whites.
The nose is floral and the palate dances with rich flavors or honey and white peaches, while the finish
sparks of minerals and citrus zest.
The finish is reminescent of Alsace.
I found the Huia portfolio to be exceptional.
Drink it now, or wait a few years experience more lush flavors.
Retail price $15. Tasted September 10, 2003. Dazzling in its class earning two .
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Huia 2002 Gewürtraminer
is spicy and elegant.
I found alluring notes of honey, hints of jasmine and green tea, as minerals followed up on the mid-palate.
The finish was long and memorable.
The acidity is balanced and allows the rich flavors to shine enabling the wine to be refreshing and crisp.
An exceptional bottle of "New World" Traminer.
Retail price $15. Tasted September 10, 2003. Lay one down and drink one now for two .
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Highfield Estate 2002 Sauvignon Blanc
is an "out of the norm" kind of wine, with its slight and gentle use of neutral oak.
The lees are stired in the maturation process, which gives the wine a creamy finish.
There is a smooth quality on the palate of this wine,
as pastle hues of mango, apricot, gooseberry, and lime flirt with your palate.
That famous Marlboro acidity is still there, but it is a bit polished down.
If you are looking for an elegant, softer, New Zealand sauvignon blanc, this is a great bottle for you.
Could this be "New World& style trumping "New World" style?
Retail price $15. Tasted September 10, 2003. An interesting look at sauvignon blanc earning one .
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