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Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2011
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$67.20
The 2011 Ata Rangi pinot is an exercise in composure and restraint in a warmer vintage. This is a tight-wound edition...
Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2012
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$67.20
A cooler year expressed as a finer, fragrant pinot for Ata Rangi. Bright perfume, orange zest, pomegranate, light red...
Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2014
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$67.20
As ever this has an extra dimension and remains the high watermark for New Zealand pinot noir to be measured against....
Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2015
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$59.94
A complex and giving wine that was born of a low-yielding, dry vintage, this is testament to the character of these...
Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2016
750ml - Case of 12
Bottle:
$67.06
TOP 100 NEW ZEALND WINES 2017 #5 - This has all the cherry and spice and perfume that defines this consistently...
Pre-Arrival
Ata Rangi Pinot Noir 2017
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$84.19
Really pristine fruit aromas here with such pure, ripe red cherries and roses, as well as gently earthy and spicy...
Pre-Arrival
Escarpment Pinot Noir Kiwa 2013
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$79.92
Showing very well after this amount of time in the bottle with dried strawberry, bark and seaweed aromas and flavors....
Pre-Arrival
Escarpment Pinot Noir Martinborough 2013
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$61.20
A very complete wine with a complex and rich nose of red berries along with some distinct herbs, chocolate, flowers...
Pre-Arrival
Escarpment Pinot Noir Te Rehua 2013
750ml - Case of 6
Bottle:
$42.65
96-97 The most brooding of the Escarpment pinot noirs. This has a dark, minerally nose with graphite and slate that...
Armagnac Other Italian Reds Pinot Noir New Zealand Wairarapa Martinborough
Armagnac is a beloved grape brandy, hailing from the beautiful French region of Gascony, in the south-west of the country. It has been in constant production since sometime just before the fifteenth century, and over the decades has been the toast of royal households across Europe. Today, it is still enjoyed for its unique flavor profile and characteristics, and although it is understandably compared with Cognac, its more famous cousin, lovers of Armagnac claim that its distinctive rusticity and full body make it a superior brandy, perfect as a digestif or as an evening treat.
Armagnac is made from more than one grape varietal, but the major player in this drink is the fine Ugni Blanc grape, more commonly known by its Italian name, Trebbiano. This is one of the most widely planted grape varietals in the world, and grows beautifully in Gascony, which has a similar microclimate as its neighbouring wine region, Bordeaux. Armagnac grapes reveal fascinating and complex flavors after distillation, which commonly include christmas cake, earthy, oaky notes and praline.
Armagnac is sold under two categories - vintage, and non-vintage. A vintage Armagnac is made from a blend of grapes which have been grown in a single year, and will have the date printed on the label. Non-vintage Armagnacs, on the other hand, are labelled according to their age. V.S indicates that the brandy has been aged for a minimum of two years, VSOP for four years, XO six years, and Hors d’Age is a premium Armagnac which has been aged for at least ten years.
Regularly described as being the grape varietal responsible for producing the world's most romantic wines, Pinot Noir has long been associated with elegance and a broad range of flavors The name means 'black pine' in French, and this is due to the fact that the fruit of this particular varietal is especially dark in color, and hangs in a conical shape, like that of a pine cone. Despite being grown today in almost every wine producing country, Pinot Noir is a notoriously difficult grape variety to cultivate. This is because it is especially susceptible to various forms of mold and mildew, and thrives best in steady, cooler climates. However, the quality of the fruit has ensured that wineries and vintners have persevered with the varietal, and new technologies and methods have overcome many of the problems it presents. Alongside this, the wide popularity and enthusiasm for this grape has ensured it will remain a firm favorite amongst wine drinkers for many years to come.
As with nearby Australia, New Zealand has over the past century proven itself to be a superb location for producing high quality wines in vast amounts, with much of the cooler regions of both islands being used primarily for vine cultivation. New Zealand wineries are notable for their enthusiasm in regards to experimentation, and for utilizing modern technologies and methods to make the most of the imported grape varietals which flourish in the rich, fertile soils and oceanic climate. In recent years, it has been the New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wines which have gained the most attention, as a result of their smoky character and ability to carry the mineral rich nature of the terroir they grow in. Changing consumer interests have brought about a considerable rise in the production of organic and sustainable wines in New Zealand, of which again, the Sauvignon Blanc varietals are leading the way in regards to excellence, flavor and overall character.
Across the Cook Strait on North Island, Wellington, around the town of Martinborough, has a cool climate, long dry autumns and gravel soils - all precisely suiting the requirements of the finicky Pinot Noir vine. Wines from this area rival the finest Pinot Noirs, and their refreshing acidity gives them the potential for further aging. Wellington also produces some botrysized Riesling which can be very fine.