The Wine Centre

Tin Pot Hut Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2011, “aromatic, fresh”, £11.99

The old Tin Pot huts belonged to the sheep herders when Marlborough was better known for its sheep. Produced by Fiona Turner and Matt Thompson this award winning “Savvie” has lifted aromas of blackcurrant, lemongrass and thyme with passionfruit notes. A complex palate of blackcurrant, herbs and mineral. Pleasing, powerful aperitif.

Wild Earth Riesling, Central Otago 2009, “lick of lime”, £15.99

Quintin Quider, deep sea diver and crazy, dare-devil risk-taker, is passionate about wine. He would have to be a little bonkers to attempt wine growing in such extreme conditions. Yet here it is, Wild Earth Riesling, grown in the desert-like outback of southern New Zealand, most southern vineyards in the world, beyond even where tracks go at the end of the now famous Felton Road.

Perfumes of white flowers, red apples and lemon meringue pie are followed by flavours of nectarines, apricots, red apples and lemon, with a streak of finger-lick`n lime.

Greywacke Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough 2011, “striking”, £15.99

Kevin Judd was chief winemaker at Cloudy Bay for 25 years before he started his own venture and the birth of Greywacke. Named after the sedimentary rock found in its vineyards, in Rapaura, the wine expresses its high mineral source, a near creamy note amid racy acidities which are almost fierce. It exhibits a refreshing sorbet-like medley of fresh lychee, grapefruit and honeydew with flinty minerality and an infusion of mandarin and lime zest. A lively, invigorating wine; already a legend!

Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough  2010, “silky” £24.99

The new vintage of Kevin`s wild yeast, barrel –fermented Sauvignon Blanc has been long awaited. The 2009 – impossibly rich, silky and delicious – was a hard act to follow.  Yet the 2010 has delivered in spades. Its texture, of glycerol richness, seems to glide across the palate. Notes of lemon rind and sweet green herbs meld together in a seamless stream… virtuoso performance!

Greywacke Chardonnay, Marlborough 2009 “golden, beautiful”, £29.99

First time tasting (from barrel) a gorgeous buttery bacon butty character. Now different, on the nose, cashew, lemon curd and shortbread, on the palate , layered and ripe-tasting citrus fruits, delicious fleshy layers, still buttery, mineral-rich with dough-like, yeasty notes. Still gorgeous!

Kim Crawford Merlot, Hawkes Bay 2010, “ripe, supple”, £13.99

Kim Crawford`s Merlot is back at the wine centre! I can only wonder as to why we ever let it go. Dark fruits, ripe plums and blackberries, complimented by spice and liquorice, underpinned with a little savoury oak; fine, harmonious, supple, gently mouth filling and delicious.

Crimson Pinot Noir, Martinborough 2010, “vibrant”, £19.99

Ata Rangi`s Clive Paton was a pioneer of winemaking in Martinborough and has recently been bestowed NZ`s highest award for excellence: grand cru status. Here Pinot is endowed with texture as well as fruit. Crimson has a heady fragrance of crushed rose-petal, light cherry, brambly notes and a hint of red liquorice. The palate is seamless, a smooth, feminine body which is nonetheless vibrant.

Wild Earth Pinot Noir, Central Otago 2009, “focused”, £24.99

Wild Earth`s Quintin works his magic with low yield, well-crafted Pinot Noir. Dark cherry, liquorice, plum, orange peel and cassis, a complex, intense flavour compound which is well-defined and served up in an elegant, fresh, supple wine. Superb.

Greywacke Pinot Noir, Marlborough 2010, “succulent”, £32.99

Kevin`s  brilliant Greywacke Pinot  Noir 2010 has got the industry in all of a titter.  Reminiscent of tree-ripened black cherries (they say), its sweet-scented floral perfume is followed by a pure palate of plum, blackberry, cherry and smoky oak, “seasoned with a sprinkle of oregano and cinnamon”. Fragrant, pure and delightful.

 10% discount for orders received in May