London International Wine Challenge 2009
The Trophy Winners

Clifford Bay
Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Marlborough - New Zealand
   
New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc Trophy
New Zealand White Trophy
International Sauvignon Blanc Trophy

Light pale yellow in colour, mineral nuances, green mangos and lemon zest on the nose, with an incredible finesse of palate. Perfumed herbal notes and fresh mango juice on the palate, zesty with a wonderful freshness, excellent acidity, and real length. IWC Judges comments.

Awatere minerality and punch, with a lacing of cut grass and redcurrant notes. "Long and light, beautiful and succulent," offered Louisa Rose (Head winemaker Yaluma). Eminently drinkable summer Sauvignon. Cusine Magazine Sauvignon Blanc tasting Janurary 2009. 3rd place 5 Stars.

"For just $20 this is one super duper sauvignon blanc. It’s made with grapes grown in the Awatere Valley, just south of the massive Wairau Plains. Its flavours are piercingly fresh and intense and it has subtle fruit aromas rather than being overtly sweet. It stands head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the pack with its lively, clean style and beautiful balance." Joelle Thompson - Mindfood Magazine, Wines of the Week

 This wine shows blackcurrant, guava and citrus notes. The palate exhibits the same fine fruit flavours with an under lying flinty note typical of Awatere Valley fruit. The finish is long, crisp and dry. This Sauvignon Blanc is ready to drink now, and over the next 2-3 years. Winery notes

Ata Rangi
Craighall Chardonnay 2007
Martinborough - New Zealand
  
New Zealand Chardonnay Trophy

Intense nose with butter and green beans. Lovely, creamy mouth with good length and stone fruit. A hint of toffee on the finish. Lots of acidity and good length. IWC Judges comments.

This Martinborough chardonnay has refined white peach-like aromas harmoniously trimmed with nutty oak and subtle, mealy complexities. A very fine texture, mouth-filling yet without heaviness and a very long, elegant finish. Ralph Kyte-Powell, The Melbourne Age 2 Dec 08

Here is the answer to all those people who think Chardonnay is too fruity, too oaky, too alcoholic, too clumsy - which can sometimes be the case. This Martinborough wine is subtlety personified, but it is far from weak. There is a simply beautiful white-flowers bouquet with some fruit and winemaking complexities detectable, leading to a palate which is limpid in its purity, harmony and balance: pale stonefruits, lightly mealy, subtle limestone minerality. One could drink a lot of this. Cellar 2-6 years. 
Geoff Kelly, WineNZ, Spring 08

I've always loved this wine - it comes up to the mark every vintage. It has beautifully focused fruit flavours (grapefruit, nectarine and white peach) that are exquisitely enhanced by sensitive winemaking to add bran biscuit and hazelnut flavours to the mix. Serious Chardonnay that promises to age well. I always plan to keep a few bottles for five years but rarely hang onto them after one.
Bob Campbell, Bobs Wine Reviews Sep 08

Shaw & Smith
Shiraz 2007
Adelaide Hills - South Australia
  
Adelaide Hills Red Trophy

A very taut and stalky nose, with a fresh, rich, brambly finish over soft and juicy plum and damson flavours, and creamy soft tannins.
 IWC Judges comments.

 Last but not least...

Kennedy Point
Waiheke Syrah 2007
Waiheke Island - New Zealand
     
Auckland Syrah Trophy
New Zealand Syrah Trophy
New Zealand Red Trophy
International Syrah Trophy

Perfumed floral notes with some gamey and sweet oaky aromas. Ripe rich fruit on the palate. Full with some peppery nuances. Complex, powerful, with a great length. IWC Judges comments.

Extremely Limited - 2 Bottles per customer - Stocks arriving next week

Orders
Phone: 02 9882 1788
Email: garth@wineculture.com.au
_______________________________________________

Orders
Phone: 02 9882 1788
Email: garth@wineculture.com.au
____________________________________________

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