Great Wines Under $20: New Zealand Steals
Friday, November 26, 2010
This week our wine travels have taken us to the tiny country of New Zealand where the world’s southernmost vineyards are located. Despite being a mere 23rd in wine production, New Zealand has been able to establish itself in the wine world as a force to be reckoned with. Not only does New Zealand produce some of the best Sauvignon Blancs in the world, winemakers there also produce elegant Chardonnays, as well as delicious and earthy Pinot Noirs. This week’s reviews will focus on one of each from this great wine producing country.
2008 Oyster Bay Pinot Noir - $15
Oyster Bay is an iconic producer from the east coast of the northern island. In making this wine Oyster Bay uses both barrel and tank fermentation. They mature the wine for six months in a mix of new and older French oak. Try this wine blind along side your favorite Californian Pinot Noir and see if you can detect any differences between this cold climate Pinot from New Zealand and the warm climate Pinot from California.
This is one soft and smooth, not to mention delicious, Pinot Noir. Wine Spectator gave this effort 91 points and I agree. It is good! Right off the bat you will notice that it has beautiful color. On the nose it is full of spice, especially a peppery element. It feels full bodied, but is not. It coats your palate with red fruit and a hint of acid on the back end. It has a long and delicious finish that stays vibrant for a long time.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST2009 Kim Crawford Sauvignon Blanc - $14
Normally, iconic wines come from decade-old and well established producers. Kim Crawford winery is the exception to that rule. The winery has not even been around for 15 years, but its wines, and its Sauvignon Blanc in particular, has already established itself as a benchmark wine within its category. For the past seven vintages Kim Crawford Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has received back-to-back 90+ point ratings. We are now drinking the 2009 vintage and with two 89 points ratings, this wine is sure to please your palate as well as your pocketbook. At this price point, this is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc at its best!
There is a hint of green in the color of this wine, and the aromas are just lovely! There is an interesting play between freshly cut green grass and sweet honey melon. This wine comes across as fresh and mouthwatering on the palate. It does a great job in balancing its sweetness and acidity. There is an interesting fresh green herb component on the lingering finish. This wine can be enjoyed with most fish dishes, but should also hold up against any spicy dishes you throw at it.
2008 Babich Hawkes Bay Unoaked Chardonnay - $15
Established in 1916, Babich winery is one of the oldest family owned and operated operations in New Zealand. I chose this wine because many people still haven’t tried an un-oaked Chardonnay. Here is a great opportunity for you to get into this style of wine at a great price. The soil structure and climate in the Hawkes Bay region of New Zealand tend to make very concentrated Chardonnays with distinct peach and grapefruit flavors. In this style of winemaking, in which no oak barrel aging takes place, the fruit is pressed into stainless steel tanks and cool fermented, revealing the grapes natural flavors - unmasked.
Wow! For a white wine that hasn’t seen any oak aging, this is one silky smooth effort. It is as if this wine has all the lovely attributes of a delicately oaked Chardonnay, but without the wood, toast and heavy vanilla flavors. Instead the fruit is in the forefront. I get a lot of honey-melon on the nose. On the palate you are confronted with a serious amount of fruit – again melon, but also tropical fruits and a hint of minerality. Nice acid on this wine to cut it all and create a well-balanced experience. The finish goes on and on.
