LOWBURN FERRY PINOT NOIR  2006
Central Otago, South Island  

TASTING NOTE: Medium colour, which is a good thing with Pinot. You don't want your Pinot to look like Shiraz. Warm cherry and spice nose which is quite aromatic and fresh. The palate has a nice concentration of spicy berry and cherry fruit with good acidity keeping things very fresh, and giving a hint of plummy sourness to the finish. A bright, supple style with a fair bit of complexity and some structure, which makes me think it might age well over the next few years.  Score - 90. (Jamie Goode, www.wineanorak.com, Sept. 16, 2007) 

060061    (D)            750 mL    $37.95   

WILD ROCK CUPIDS ARROW PINOT NOIR  2006
Central Otago, South Island  

TASTING NOTE: A very skillfully crafted drink-young style, the 2006 vintage is ruby-hued with a subtle oak influence and good body and depth of cherry/plum flavours. Slightly spicy and supple, it shows some complexity and vivid varietal characters.
Score - (out of 5). (Michael Cooper, Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines, 2008) 

061242    (D)            750 mL    $22.95   

Sacred Hill strikes the perfect balance between winemaking tradition and innovation. Over the last two decades, they have used time-honoured techniques to handcraft exceptional wines all the while leading the industry with many environmental initiatives. Winemaker Tony Bish employed the traditional, hand-operated basket press to gently coax from the grapes the full flavours of this supple Merlot. A rich, plummy nose leads to a deep yet softly textured wine layered with ripe black fruit flavours and supported by gentle tannins.

COOPERS CREEK GRAVELS AND METALS MERLOT/CABERNET FRANC  2004
Hawkes Bay, North Island  

TASTING NOTE: This is yet another impressive, Bordeaux-style red from the Hawkes Bay area of New Zealand. Everything is in its place, from the delicate red fruits to the rich and enticing toasty oak notes. Supple, elegant and without the excessively perfumed aromatics that spoil so many New Zealand wines for me. No matter what style of red you like, this will be a hit. Drink now-2010. Food pairing: Veal or pork roast with tamari. (Bill Zacharkiw, The Gazette (Montreal), March 15, 2008) 

056465    (XD)            750 mL    $22.95   

VILLA MARIA PRIVATE BIN MERLOT/CABERNET SAUVIGNON  2005
Hawkes Bay, North Island  

TASTING NOTE: Offering good value, the 2005 is a Hawke's Bay blend of Merlot (65 per cent), Cabernet Sauvignon (30 per cent), Cabernet Franc (3 per cent) and Malbec (2 per cent), matured for a year in seasoned French and American oak barriques. It's a deeply coloured wine with plum, herb and spice flavours, firm, fresh and strong.  Score - 1/2 (out of 5). (Michael Cooper, Buyer's Guide to New Zealand Wines, 2008) 

060038    (XD)            750 mL    $17.95   

Matakana is a small wine-growing area in the greater region of Auckland. Known mainly as a red wine region, this warm area has sloped, well-drained vineyards planted in clay soils. This single-vineyard Syrah is smooth with plum, blackberry, peppery spice, smoke and sweet-herb notes. Dry and medium full-bodied, it would match well with grilled lamb kebabs.

This rich and elegant Chardonnay was aged on its lees for 12 months in French oak before bottling. Dry, full-bodied and creamy, it has layers of peach, citrus and tropical-fruit flavours as well as a hint of toast and vanilla. A delicious and classy wine that's an outstanding value. Pair with steamed lobster or butter chicken.

VINTAGES Essentials Collection
KIM CRAWFORD SAUVIGNON BLANC  2007
Marlborough, South Island  

TASTING NOTE: Concentrated and very intense, weaving together a harmonious medley of crushed stone, grapefruit and nut flavors. Savory herbs, grass and lime notes highlight the bright, vibrant finish. Drink now. Tasted twice, with consistent notes.
Score - 91. (Daniel Sogg, www.winespectator.com, April 30, 2008) 

035386    (XD)            750 mL    $19.95   

SILENI ESTATE CELLAR SELECTION SAUVIGNON BLANC  2007
Marlborough, South Island  

TASTING NOTE: Pale color. Bright aromas of lime, grapefruit pith and licorice. Juicy and supple, with lovely spice character to the flavors of underripe melon and pear. Nothing hard about this sauvignon.  Score - 88. (Stephen Tanzer, International Wine Cellar, Sept./Oct. 2007) 

662882    (XD)            750 mL    $15.95   

Trout Valley is owned by the Day Family who are also behind Kahurangi Estate Wines. Nelson is the only major region on the western edge of the South Island but it is still protected from the west side's heavy rainfall by mountains. This stylish Sauvignon Blanc displays intense aromas of freshly cut grass and ripe tropical fruit. It's dry, very well balanced with a lingering mineral finish.