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A wonderful country. I spent a year in New Zealand and toured both north and south islands. Wine making is a relatively new venture in the land of the long white cloud. There were virtually no grapes planted on south island until the 1970s! And already cool climate Marlborough has given the world a completely new style of wine with it's sensational sauvignon blanc. Love it or hate it, there's no other wine in the world like it. The cooler climate of the south island is also ideal for pinot noir and they make some stunning examples. As all the vineyards are virtually new, it's the pioneering spirit of couples and families that has been the back bone of New Zealand wine, while the rest of the world was being dominated by corporate brands. If you want a truly oustanding wine go for one that is family owned. The ones I'm recommending are superb.
 
 

Mills Reef Reserve Chardonnay 2010 75cl
4.5 Stars Yvonne Lorkin, 87 Points Bob Campbell, 4 Stars Raymond Chan

A delicious Chardonnay with fruit, oak and power. The grapes were sourced from three different vineyards in the Meeanee district of Hawke's Bay, noted for producing strong fruit aromas and flavours. Each parcel was vinified separately in barrel with a third of the wine also undergoing malolactic fermentation to give a richer, creamier style. The entire parcels of wine were then further barrel aged for ten months before final blending.

Mills Reef Website



Further Information on Mills Reef Reserve Chardonnay 2010 75cl

Price: £14.99


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YL/RC
John's Rating

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Mills Reef Reserve Chardonnay 2010 75cl
 
 
Morton Estates
We are delighted to be working with John Coney of Morton Estates to bring his wines once again to the UK consumer. They are frankly sensational. Morton Estates are one of New Zealand's very best wine producers and are proudly independent, producing some of the finest wines in the world, confirmed by their impressive collection of international awards.\n\nThey own several of the best vineyards in Marlborough and Hawke's Bay, and they control every aspect of the wine making process from grape selection to bottle closure - a rare attribute these days. Their wines are listed at some of the finest hotels in the world including the Savoy and the Ritz in London, Tokyo American Club, Les Bookinistes in Paris, Montage in San Francisco and the Peak Cafe in Hong Kong. They have been invited to pour at the New York Wine Experience a remarkable three times - a feat reserved for the world's top 200 Chateaux. Yet John's very down to earth and is genuinely thrilled to see his wine appreciated on it's own merits. I've never before met a wine maker who makes so many consistently good wines. I cannot recommend them enough.

Click here for more info on Morton Estates 		Morton Estates
 
 

Morton Estates Coniglio Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2004 75cl
IWSC - Gold Medal Best in Class, Decanter - Silver Medal, 09 & 10, 94 Points Bob Campbell, "the Rolls Royce of New Zealand Chardonnays" - Michael Cooper, IWC Bronze Medal.

Just been selected by Reidel Glassware to show off their Chardonnay glasses, where Reidel described it as the Best New World White Wine they had ever tasted! - September 2011

Sorry all the 2002 is now gone. We have just moved onto the 2004. Yet again a spectacular Chardonnay as Coniglio is only produced in exceptional vintages. As always the grapes from the Riverview Vineyard - regarded as the finest vineyard in New Zealand - are hand selected and whole bunch pressed. The juice is then fermented and aged on the lees in new French oak. The wine is subsequently allowed to undergo some partial malolactic fermentation creating a bigger, rounder, fuller wine really integrating the oak. Simply stunning as always!

Presented in it's own gift box - the ideal gift for a white wine lover for xmas.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Coniglio Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2004 75cl

Price: £27.95


Sulphite Content:
Free Sulphur
(at bottling)
32 mg/l
Awards:

IWSC
John's Rating

95 Points

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Morton Estates Coniglio Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2004 75cl
 
 

Morton Estates Hawkes Bay Black Label Chardonnay 2007 75cl
Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2011 - Gold Medal. Mercedes Benz Hakes Bay Wine Awards Gold Medal 2010, Decanter World Wine Awards Silver Medal 2011, International Wine Challenge Silver Medal 2011 amongst others!

Made from fruit from their Riverview vineyard, fermented in new French oak then aged for a further twelve months, again in French oak. This is a rich, full wine with intense fruit and a long dry finish. Another great wine in a different style to the White Label Chardonnay below. This Black Label is a little fuller and richer suited to richer foods, or to savour on it's own. We've just moved onto this 07 which is fantastic. In fact the fruit was so good that Morton's debated whether or not to make a Coniglio from this 2007. In the end they chose not to, so after 2004 they only made Coniglio again from the 2010 (not ready for release for quite some time of course!). So this Black Label 2007 is "a baby Coniglio" - almost as good but half the price. I highly recommend it at this price, it is a stunning wine.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Hawkes Bay Black Label Chardonnay 2007 75cl

Price: £13.99


Sulphite Content:
Free Sulphur
(at bottling)
35 mg/l
Awards:

HBWA
John's Rating

93 Points

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Morton Estates Hawkes Bay Black Label Chardonnay 2007 75cl
 
 

Morton Estates Hawkes Bay White Label Chardonnay 2008
Michael Cooper - Best Buy

This is Morton's best known Chardonnay and one of their most successful wines, having received numerous accolades over the years. I personally believe it's a fantastic wine. Having been disappointed with other Hawke's Bay Chardonnays in the past I was really suprised just how good this wine is. Fermented and aged in French oak barriques, this wine has lovely fruit flavours with a creamy texture, similar to Champagne - without the bubbles of course. A well rounded palate, full in the mouth with persistent flavours and good length. Very enjoyable on it's own but will pair very well with poultry, fish and light meats. Highly recommended.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Hawkes Bay White Label Chardonnay 2008

Price: £8.99


Sulphite Content:
Free Sulphur
(at bottling)
33 mg/l
Awards:

MC
John's Rating


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Morton Estates Hawkes Bay White Label Chardonnay 2008
 
 

Morton Estates Marlborough Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl
Absolutely superb - tasting notes to follow. I believe we are the only UK stockist as Mortons imported a pallet just for us, although as we only took 30 dozen initially they may have sold a few cases elsewhere.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Marlborough Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl

Price: £13.26


Sulphite Content:
John's Rating

92 Points

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Morton Estates Marlborough Black Label Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl
 
 

Morton Estates Hawke's Bay Private Reserve Viognier 2009 75cl
Blue Gold Award Sidney, Liquorland Top 100 Silver Medal, Decanter 2011 - Bronze Medal, IWC - Commended, Air New Zealand Wine Awards - Bronze Medal.

Fantastic wine. Viognier needs to be left right to the last possible minute to fully ripen to develop it's aromas and flavours fully. Hence this wine contained so much natural sugar that the alcohol came out at a whopping 15%! It isn't apparent when you drink the wine though, as it is beautifully made. Although fermented in stainless steel, and with no malolactic fermentation, there is still plenty of body and a rich, full palate. Strong fruit flavours of apricot and peach, with a creamy mouthfeel. Great length too.

Due to the high sugar levels, sulphite intolerant people should avoid this wine as there's likely to be a little too much sulphur in there to control the sugar, although way lower than any mass produced wine of course. Just to clarify, this only applies to people with a severe allergy - this is still a delicious well made wine, low in additives.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Hawke's Bay Private Reserve Viognier 2009 75cl

Price: £13.49


Sulphite Content:
Awards:

SYD
John's Rating

90 Points

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Morton Estates Hawke's Bay Private Reserve Viognier 2009 75cl
 
 

Morton Estates Marlborough White Label Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl
Gold Medal New Zealand International Wine Awards for the 2010

Morton's tasting notes say " exhibits all the characters of a typical Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc with passion fruit, citrus, nettles, cut grass and hints of capsicum. These aromas light the path to a soft well rounded palate with a luscious mouth feel and pronounced fruit characters. The finish is limey and assertive".

Yep, it's all those things. It's a fantastic classic Marlborough style with intense fruit flavours and great length. The acidity is well balanced too, so it's easy to drink without food, as some Sauvignons can be too acidic on their own. It's great wine - but then as a Gold Medal Winner we would expect no less!

This is the very last of the gold medal winning 2010 - only a few cases left, then we're onto the 2011.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Marlborough White Label Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl

Price: £8.99


Sulphite Content:
Free Sulphur
(at bottling)
38 mg/l
Awards:

NZWA
John's Rating

90 Points

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Morton Estates Marlborough White Label Sauvignon Blanc 2011 75cl
 
 

Morton Estates Marlborough Stonecreek Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl
Silver Medal Royal Easter Show for the 07 - we're awaiting info on awards for this 09

A single vineyard Sauvignon. Morton say the 09 fruit was exceptional, and having tasted the wine I agree. It has a nose of peaches and pears. Lovely strong tropical flavours on the palate with full body. The balance is just right with enough acidity to cleanse the palate without being too acidic. A really long finish too. If you like the fruit driven style this wine is fantastic, and fantastic value!

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Marlborough Stonecreek Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl

Price: £10.16


Sulphite Content:
Free Sulphur
(at bottling)
32 mg/l
John's Rating

91 Points

Quantity:  


Morton Estates Marlborough Stonecreek Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl
 
 

Morton Estates Hawkes Bay White Label Pinot Grigio 2007 75cl
Hawke's Bay Mercedes Benz Wine Awards - Gold Medal - Best export wine 2009. Silver Medal - New World Wine Awards 2007.

The grapes for this wine come from their Kinross vineyard, harvested at optimum maturity then fermented in stainless steel. An enticing nose of tropical fruit, unusual for a Pinot Grigio as most of the European versions, tend to be aromatically challenged! This wine has more body than you'd first expect from the nose, due in part to it's maturation in French oak. Packed with flavour with just the right body and mouth feel, with a long lingering floral finish. This wine is fantastic. I realise New Zealand isn't famous for Pinot Grigio but you really should give this wine a try, it's absolutely delicious. Pair with fish or poultry or just enjoy on it's own.

Morton Estate Website

Further Information on Morton Estates Hawkes Bay White Label Pinot Grigio 2007 75cl

Price: £8.99


Sulphite Content:
Free Sulphur
(at bottling)
37 mg/l
Awards:

HB
John's Rating

90 Points

Quantity:  


Morton Estates Hawkes Bay White Label Pinot Grigio 2007 75cl
 
 

Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 75cl
This is a decent wine from a small family owned winery, farmed using some organic methods. The grapes were hand picked with some fermented in stainless steel for freshness and others fermented in oak to add character, complexity and body. It's pale in colour with crisp flavours and a mineral edge on the long, clean finish. If you like the grassy gooseberry style I recommend you opt for Morton Estates White Label, but if you like the typical Awatere Valley style of minerality over fruit, then you'll enjoy this wine.

Mahi Website

Further Information on Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 75cl

Price: £9.95


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Mahi Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2010 75cl
 
 

Vavasour Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 75cl
National Wine Show of Australia - Trophy for best dry white wine, 5 Stars Winestate Magazine, 5 Stars Cuisine Magazine, Gold Medal Liquorland top 100 International Wine Show.

Currently selling for £13.95 in Harrods!

Very pale in colour with some gooseberry on the nose. This is quite deceptive though as the flavours are not the intense grassy gooseberry you might expect, more subtle and mineral, more Sancere in style than Marlborough. It's crisp and light and is a good wine, although I personally prefer the Morton Black Label and the Walnut Block as they have more body and are a fuller, richer style.

Vavasour Website

Further Information on Vavasour Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 75cl

Price: £9.98


Sulphite Content:
Awards:
NWSA
John's Rating

91 Points

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Vavasour Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008 75cl
 
 

Julicher Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl
Julicher is a boutique winery on the Te Muna Terraces on the outskirts of Martinborough, built by Wim Julicher. They specialise in producing distinctive hand crafted wines and released their first vintage in 2002.

This Sauvignon was hand harvested and whole bunch pressed - two techniques which reduce the need for added sulphur - then cool fermented to retain maximum freshness. It's pale in colour with a very prominent nose. Full of flavour yet light and floral with crisp acidity on the long finish. Good stuff.

Julicher Website

Further Information on Julicher Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl

Price: £12.49


Sulphite Content:
Awards:
John's Rating

90 Points




OUT OF STOCK

Julicher Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009 75cl