Click here for pdf version of the newsletter

February 2008

REVELSTOKE WINES FEBRUARY NEWS LETTER

Spring is in the air and the promise of sunshine is just around the corner…in preparation we have been really busy behind the scenes and have sourced some incredibly exciting new wines from top quality producers. Nothing quite beats the refreshing zing of a fresh, crisp punchy Sauvignon Blanc, so for our first feature of 2008 we have chosen the ‘new home of Sauvignon’ and in our quest for excitement and distinction we have unearthed some awesome gems …come and try our New New Zealand.

See you soon,
Mark

FREE IN STORE TASTING

Dates for the diary

Throughout February we will be tasting our new extended range of New Zealand wines Come along and find out why we are so excited about our new discoveries. Here’s the line up:-

9th/10th Feb
Bouldevines Riesling,
Bedford Road Pinot Noir
Aurora Vineyards Syrah

16th/17th Feb
Bouldevines Sauvignon Blanc
Lowburn Ferry Pinot Noir
Redmetal - Basket Press Merlot/Cab. Franc

23rd/24th Feb
Bouldevines Chardonnay
Pisa Range - Black Poplar Pinot Noir
Clearview – Enigma Bordeaux Blend

WINE CLUB DINNERS

During the course of the year we organize several Wine Club Dinners. The themes of the evenings vary from featured countries (where we introduce our new finds), food and wine matches to guest/winemaker presentations. It’s an opportunity to meet like minded people and discuss the merits of the line up. They are relaxed enjoyable evenings where the wine takes centre stage. If you would like to find out more or join us please ask Mark in store for more details or register your interest here.

March 18th
LBW – length before weight
Australia
New Australian range. We are in the process of revamping this range and, although it is not yet finalized, based on the tastings conducted over the past couple of weeks, we will be able to offer some really cracking wines.

29th April
Reislings to be cheerful
Germany
As part of my ongoing, one man crusade to persuade the British public of the infinite joys of German wine, we plan to show not just some fantastic Rieslings, but also Weissburgunder (Pinot Blanc) and Spatburgunder (Pinot Noir). We very much hope that David Wright, one of the country’s leading experts on the subject, will be present to take us through them These events are always popular and places limited so feel free to book now to avoid disappointment!

The dinners will take place at Bar 191 on Worple Road, Raynes Park.

TUTORED WINE TASTINGS - WHY GO OUT ?

Enjoy wine but wish you knew more about it? Would you like to know the difference between Syrah and Shiraz? Why not host a wine tasting evening with your friends in the comfort of your own home…

If you buy the wine from us store manager Mark Donovan is prepared to put his hard won wine knowledge at your disposal for the evening absolutely free of charge!

Mark has a number of suggestions but such events can be tailored to suit your individual requirements, be that formal or somewhat less so!

Pop into the shop or call Mark on 0208 879 1810 to discuss your ideas.

PURE DISCOVERY NEW ZEALAND

We are delighted to introduce to our fantastic extended new range of multiaward winning wines from New Zealand which not only demonstrates the quality of wine being produced here, but which also proves categorically that it’s not all about Sauvignon Blanc…

New Zealand has ten main wine growing regions, each displaying a great diversity in climate and terrain. Differences in climate may be illustrated by the variation in the harvesting date of Chardonnay.

In the warmer and more humid northern regions of Northland, Auckland and Gisborne, Chardonnay might begin to be harvested in late February or early March while in Central Otago, the world's most southerly Chardonnay grapes may first be picked in mid to late April - a difference of 6-7 weeks.

10% OFF ANY MIXED CASE OF
NEW ZEALAND WINES

MARLBOROUGH - SAUVIGNON & BEYOND

When the first Marlborough vines were planted in 1973 few people predicted that the region would become New Zealand's largest and best known winegrowing area in little more than 20 years.

The distinctive pungency and zesty fruit flavours of the first wines captured the imagination of the country's winemakers and wine drinkers alike and sparked an unparalleled boom in vineyard development.

Worldwide interest in Marlborough wines, particularly Sauvignon Blanc, has continued to fuel that regional wine boom.

The free-draining, alluvial loams over gravelly subsoils in the Wairau and Awatere River Valleys provides ideal growing conditions.Abundant sunshine with cool nights and a long growing season helps to build and maintain the vibrant fruit flavours for which Marlborough is now famous.

Sauvignon Blanc is the most planted grape variety with Chardonnay in second place, followed by Pinot Noir and Riesling. Sauvignon Blanc may be the star but Marlborough has also earned an enviable reputation for Méthode Traditionelle sparkling wines as well as a wide range of both white and red table wines.

Our latest addition from Marlborough is the thoroughly delightful…

Bedford Road Estate Pinot Noir 2006 | £12.95
A medium bodied pinot noir with a soft full palate, well balanced acidity and flavours that linger. Cherry notes dominate the palate and are supported by hints of plum and redcurrant. A mixture of new and old French oak offers rich savoury notes on the palate with a full lingering finish.

Enigma 2005 Bordeaux Blend| £21.95
64% Merlot, 14 Malbec, 14% Cabernet Sauvignon and 8% Cabernet Franc matured for 15 months in predominantly new French oak barriques.

This is a Merlot/Malbec predominant ‘Reserve’ label. From the exceptional, but low-yielding 2005 vintage comes this seductive and sensuous red wine. A blend of 4 grape varieties, the flavours of plum, sweet spicy cassis, mint and earthy violets combine with long fine-grained tannins and sweet oak.

2007 Air NZ Wine Awards | Silver
2007 Wine Orbit Magazine | 5* - 95/100

Old Olive Block 2005 Bordeaux Blend | £19.95
(extremely limited availability)
From one of the best ever vintages, this is a ‘Cabernet’ dominant Reserve label.

A classic Bordeaux style blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec. This wine has a wonderful nose and the palate is generous, warm and spicy with complex flavours of cassis and plum. Savoury cedar oak and long soft tannins finish this wine beautifully. Age from 3 to 12 years, earlier for a more fruit driven style.

2007 NZ International Wine Show | Trophy
2007 Air NZ Wine Awards | Silver
2007 Wine Orbit Magazine | 4.5* - 92/100

HAWKES BAY

Hawkes Bay, located on the east side of the North Island, near the city of Napier, is the country's second largest region and has a respected 100 year heritage in wine.

The varied topography and wide range of soil types, from fertile silty loams to free draining shingle, produces a considerable range of wine styles in this large region.

There are 22 categories of soil types on the Heretaunga Plains alone, from stones to hard pans to heavy silts. Ripening dates for a single grape variety can vary by as much as three weeks between the hot, shingle soils of the Gimblett Road area to the cool, higher altitude vineyards of central Hawkes Bay.

Chardonnay is the most widely planted grape variety but the long sunshine hours attract a high percentage of later ripening red grape varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Syrah, as well as the early ripening Pinot Noir.

Redmetal Vineyards began in 1991 with the purchase of a north facing block of prime viticultural land in Hawkes Bay.

The vineyard is part of an ancient riverbed that once carried rock down to the east coast from the steep Ruahine ranges that form part of the spine of New Zealand’s North Island. These free-draining river deposited gravels (locally known as red metals) form the basis of the major fine wine producing areas within Hawkes Bay.

Basket Press 2004 Merlot/Cabernet Franc | £14.95
“This ultra-elegant red has a smooth, supple nose of berry fruits, together with a subtle herbiness. The palate is smooth with noticeable but well integrated oak and very soft tannins. There’s some complexity, but the big draw here is the elegant, supple fruit. Very good/excellent

92/100 – Jamie Goode –www. Wineanorak.com

CLEARVIEW ESTATE

Owned and operated by chief winemaker Tim Turvey he established the vineyard in 1988 after being told it was ‘too cold’ to grow there. His wines are amongst the most highly decorated in New Zealand history. Production remains small for his worldwide audience and allocations into the UK will always be limited.

We are delighted to have secured small parcels of these wines and recommend you buy them while you can…

Reserve Chardonnay ‘06 | £21.95
(extremely limited availability)
The balance of fruit, acid oak and flavours is impeccable, whilst maintaining the trademark power. The result is a rounded and integrated wine with a luscious creamy texture. Beautifully ripe tropical and stone-fruit characters and a back bone of toasty oak integrated with acid means that this wine will cellar well for many years.

2007 Bragato Wine Awards | Gold
2007 NZ International Wine Show | Gold

BOULDEVINES ESTATE - MARLBOROUGH

Bouldevines Estate Vineyard is located in the viticulture heartland of Marlborough New Zealand’s largest wine-producing region, an area hand-picked by Marlborough’s early grape growers. The estate was originally run as a sheep and cropping farm by the family and during the late 1970’s the planting of grapes was seen as an exciting new challenge.

Stretching across 31ha of the boulder strewn flats of the lower Omaka River its fertile, free-draining soils are an ideal medium for growing grapes. Add to that the legendary warm days and cool nights of Marlborough, shelter from cold, easterly winds, the absence of fierce winter frosts and Bouldevines Estate is clearly where premium wines are born.

Up until recently the fruit from the vineyard has been sought after by other wineries, but now the finest grapes are reserved for producing exceptional wines under their own label.

Riesling 2006 | £10.50
This wine has citrus flavours and lemon skin backed with a slight hint of kerosene. A pale lemon yellow coloured wine with a linear acid back bone, flushed out with opulent mouth filling fruit weight. Lingering citrus and pear on the palate.

2007 Air NZ Awards | Bronze

Sauvignon Blanc 2006 | £10.50
Intensely fresh and crisp, with mouth filling limey herbal flavours on the nose, moving to strong passion fruit woven together with a complex yeasty minerality on the back palate.

2007 International Wine Challenge | Silver

Chardonnay 2006 | £13.95
Gentle charming and soft textured, this wine gains a silken texture, and extra mouth feel from a relatively high alcohol with no suggestion of heat or hardness. Subtle flavours of white peach, citrus, hazelnut and spicy oak complexity.

2007 NZ International Wine Show | Gold

CENTRAL OTAGO LES ‘ALL NOIRES’

Central Otago is New Zealand's highest and the world's most southerly wine region. “Wines with altitude” is the slogan of one winemaker.

It is also New Zealand's only true continental climate with greater extremes of daily and seasonal temperatures than are found in any of the country's maritime regions. Soil structures also vary dramatically from those of other regions with heavy deposits of mica and schists in silt loams. A new, but aggressively expanding wine area, Central Otago is now New Zealand's seventh largest wine region. Pinot Noir is the dominant grape variety, a status that seems certain to be maintained if demand and accolades are any measure.

When one compares the quality of these wines to the youthfulness of the vines, one can only conclude that in 20 odd years time Burgundy is going to have to look to it’s laurels.

Lowburn Ferry - Home Block
Pinot Noir 2006 | £16.95
Made from the award winning 'Home Block' vineyard. A single vineyard wine that displays all the unique characteristics that have made the wine an international success. Only 450 Cases produced. Shows notes of dark cherries, violets and spice on the nose with a toasty oak complexity. On the back palate there are hints of dark fruits, liquorice and chocolate. This elegant Pinot Noir is long and exhibits velvety, silky tannins and is smooth in the finish. It matches well with food especially venison, lamb and duck. It will continue to develop depth and complexity for 5-7 years.

2005 NZ Winegrowers Bragato Awards CHAMPION WINE OF SHOW
Mike Wolter Trophy for Pinot Noir
Champion Red Table Wine | Gold medal

Pisa Range Estate - Black poplar
Pinot Noir 2006 | £19.95
An elegant wine with bright fruit and subtle, fine tannins. A smooth deep palate with a touch a herb and spice and fresh acidity. Matured in French oak (1/3 new) the wine will age gracefully for another 5 to 7 years.

Another stunning wine from Pisa Range Estate. But don’t just take our word for it read the reviews…

2007 Wine Style Asia Awards | Gold
2008 Buyers Guide To NZ Wine | 5 Stars
2008 Gourmet Traveller Wine Mag| 96/100

"Your Pinot Noir rated first equal with Felton Road in the vintage review (Central Otago Sneak Preview, 2006 vintage) a couple of weekends ago. Best wishes to you both and congratulations on making a cracker Pinot."
Bob Campbell MW

Aurora Vineyard - Bendigo
Syrah 2006 | £14.95
It has a fine, dark, enticing core which gives way at the rim to a dark, pink-purple rim. The nose is also appealing, with aromas of white pepper and plums, and blackberries just on the edge of ripeness, so that they retain their refreshing tang.

But this is not a wine characterised by simple fruit, as there are little nuances of roasted meat and a smoky-flinty-mineral note alongside these characteristics which suggest that this will be a wine I drink with pleasure. And this is true; the palate has a lovely style, not at all short on texture or weight, and is in fact a little creamy, but it is cut through with a cool and incisive acidity which runs right through the mid palate and lingers on the finish.

There is plenty of dark fruit flavour, plenty of spice and pepper, and overall it is delicious...and maybe it would do well in the cellar too?

There is lots here for The Aurora Vineyard and New Zealand to sing about, a country that clearly isn't all Sauvignon Blanc...or Pinot Noir...or Cabernet Sauvignon.

Chris Kissack - thewinedoctor.com