Red Wine Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2019. Named after a secretive US base located up the road from the winery, Spy Valley is one of the few Marlborough wineries still owned by the original founding family. The pioneering Johnson family planted their first vines here in 1993 on sunny slopes in the Lower Waihopai sub-region which was largely unexplored for viticulture at that time. They now have some 380 acres in the area which are certified by the New Zealand Sustainable Winegrowing scheme. This elegant single estate Pinot offers exceptional value for money and has previously been awarded a gold medal at the New Zealand Wine of the Year Awards. Fruit is handpicked from the top terraces of the Johnson vineyard and hillside slopes of the Omaka vineyard. Individual blocks are fermented separately in open top fermenters and then aged in oak barrels for 11 months before blending and bottling. Zingy red fruit dominates on the nose, with attractive notes of pomegranate, raspberries, and cherries along with undertones of spice, dried herbs and baked earth. The fine tannins and bright streak of acidity on the palate makes this a great match for mature hard cheeses, hearty dishes like moussaka or lasagna, roast duck or even charcuterie.
2019
Red Wine Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2019
Red Wine Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars Hands of Time Red 2019. Stag’s Leap Wine Cellars ranks amongst one of Napa Valley’s most legendary producers thanks to the dramatic Judgement of Paris wine tasting in 1976 which saw the region’s wines beat top Bordeaux wines from the likes of Chateau Haut-Brion and Chateau Mouton-Rothschild. The winery was founded by Warren Winiarski who gave up an academic career to study under famed winemaker Robert Mondavi. It was Winiarski’s 1973 Cabernet Sauvignon which was voted to first place by leading French critics, putting Napa on the map for world class wine. Hands of Time is a remarkable Bordeaux-style blend which clearly demonstrates that Stag’s Leap hasn’t lost their touch nearly half a century after that victory in France. The cuvee is primarily composed of Cabernet Sauvignon along with smaller quantities of Petite Sirah, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Petit Verdot. Following vinification the young wine is aged in French oak barrels for 21 months before bottling. The result is a truly handsome Bordeaux blend that’s bursting with luscious dark fruit and hints of spice, woodsmoke, and earthy undertones. A generous full body is matched by firm tannins and a well-built structure, making this a great partner for a prime ribeye steak, beef cheeks, rich stews, or barbecued ribs.
2019
Red Wine Standish The Relic Shiraz 2019. Decant 1 hour before serving. Dan Standish’s personal wine label showcases the very best Shiraz wines crafted by the master winemaker who has been working his magic at Torbreck winery in the Barossa Valley for many years.
2019