Does anybody know anything about the wines from their 5 vineyards? I
am interested in the Sauv Blanc, however it will retail at a Palliser
type price point, and would like a comparison. I could not find it
listed with the eminent Lord St Helier's fine list of NZ SB's. I
u/stand they also make 3 Pinots, all from grapes fromspecific
vineyards which would all retail around $50AUD, which hopefully means
they are exquisite wines.

TIA

Regards Swooper

"swooper wrote in message

Does anybody know anything about the wines from their 5 vineyards?
I am interested in the Sauv Blanc, however it will retail at a Palliser
type price point, and would like a comparison.
I u/stand they also make 3 Pinots, all from grapes from specific
vineyards which would all retail around $50AUD,
which hopefully means they are exquisite wines.


Greetings Swoop!

I have not tried their Sauvignon - they are a boutique vineyard, recently
organically certified; most of their wines are exported - chasing the market
for organic product; they regularly sell out and are not seen too much in
retail outlets here on Auckland.

Thus, the wines are more expensive than "mainstream" - but whether one
would describe them to be "exquisite" is a matter for you determine

I have included below comments from a couple of NZs more respected wine
writers

Michael Cooper
"Still very youthful, the 2002 vintage (3 1/2 Stars), is so punchy and
zingy, it could easily pass for a Marlborough wine. Freshly herbaceous on
the nose, it's a distinctly cool-climate style with incisive melon and green
capsicum flavours cut with fresh acidity."


Vic Williams (Rating: 5)
"This classy little number has savoury notes to go with the typical
pungency on the bouquet and a flavour structure that luxuriates in sweet
fruit. Typically varietal acids save themselves for a lively,
refreshing finish. Classy stuff! It's the ultimate vegetable wine.
Enjoy it with char-grilled curettes, asparagus and eggplant".

Take a look at their website at http://murdochjames.co.nz/

Seasons Greetings

--

St.Helier

On Sat, 27 Dec 2003 05:45:32 +1300, "st.helier"
wrote:

"swooper wrote in message

Does anybody know anything about the wines from their 5 vineyards?
I am interested in the Sauv Blanc, however it will retail at a Palliser
type price point, and would like a comparison.
I u/stand they also make 3 Pinots, all from grapes from specific
vineyards which would all retail around $50AUD,
which hopefully means they are exquisite wines.


Greetings Swoop!

I have not tried their Sauvignon - they are a boutique vineyard, recently
organically certified; most of their wines are exported - chasing the market
for organic product; they regularly sell out and are not seen too much in
retail outlets here on Auckland.

Thus, the wines are more expensive than "mainstream" - but whether one
would describe them to be "exquisite" is a matter for you determine

I have included below comments from a couple of NZs more respected wine
writers

Michael Cooper
"Still very youthful, the 2002 vintage (3 1/2 Stars), is so punchy and
zingy, it could easily pass for a Marlborough wine. Freshly herbaceous on
the nose, it's a distinctly cool-climate style with incisive melon and green
capsicum flavours cut with fresh acidity."


Vic Williams (Rating: 5)
"This classy little number has savoury notes to go with the typical
pungency on the bouquet and a flavour structure that luxuriates in sweet
fruit. Typically varietal acids save themselves for a lively,
refreshing finish. Classy stuff! It's the ultimate vegetable wine.
Enjoy it with char-grilled curettes, asparagus and eggplant".

Take a look at their website at http://murdochjames.co.nz/

Seasons Greetings

Thankyou kind sir. May 2004 be a great year for your good self & the
family. :)

Hooroo..... Swooper

st.helier wrote:
"swooper wrote in message


Does anybody know anything about the wines from their 5 vineyards?
I am interested in the Sauv Blanc, however it will retail at a Palliser
type price point, and would like a comparison.
I u/stand they also make 3 Pinots, all from grapes from specific
vineyards which would all retail around $50AUD,
which hopefully means they are exquisite wines.



Greetings Swoop!

I have not tried their Sauvignon - they are a boutique vineyard, recently
organically certified; most of their wines are exported - chasing the market
for organic product; they regularly sell out and are not seen too much in
retail outlets here on Auckland.

Thus, the wines are more expensive than "mainstream" - but whether one
would describe them to be "exquisite" is a matter for you determine


I tasted at the vineyard back in February. I don't remember the
Sauvignon particularly, but was disappointed in the Pinot Noirs they
offered on that day, compared with Ata Rangi or Palliser.

Actually, as they are further out of town than most of the Martinborough
wineries, and are not really a major name locally, the main reason
for visiting was the prospect of lunch - their cafe has a good
reputation. Unfortunately, the cafe was closed that day.

I missed them also at the Toast Martinborough Festival last month. It's
not practicable to visit and taste (and eat and listen to the music) at
all the wineries. It was a great day, and well worth attending if anyone
is visiting this part of the world in November.

--brian

--
Brian Boutel
Wellington New Zealand


Note the NOSPAM

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 12:29:26 +1300, Brian Boutel
wrote:

st.helier wrote:
"swooper wrote in message


Does anybody know anything about the wines from their 5 vineyards?
I am interested in the Sauv Blanc, however it will retail at a Palliser
type price point, and would like a comparison.
I u/stand they also make 3 Pinots, all from grapes from specific
vineyards which would all retail around $50AUD,
which hopefully means they are exquisite wines.



Greetings Swoop!

I have not tried their Sauvignon - they are a boutique vineyard, recently
organically certified; most of their wines are exported - chasing the market
for organic product; they regularly sell out and are not seen too much in
retail outlets here on Auckland.

Thus, the wines are more expensive than "mainstream" - but whether one
would describe them to be "exquisite" is a matter for you determine


I tasted at the vineyard back in February. I don't remember the
Sauvignon particularly, but was disappointed in the Pinot Noirs they
offered on that day, compared with Ata Rangi or Palliser.

Actually, as they are further out of town than most of the Martinborough
wineries, and are not really a major name locally, the main reason
for visiting was the prospect of lunch - their cafe has a good
reputation. Unfortunately, the cafe was closed that day.

I missed them also at the Toast Martinborough Festival last month. It's
not practicable to visit and taste (and eat and listen to the music) at
all the wineries. It was a great day, and well worth attending if anyone
is visiting this part of the world in November.

--brian

Thanks Brian. Looks like Palliser will remain the $ NZ SB in my shop.
:)

Regards Swooper

swooper wrote:



Thanks Brian. Looks like Palliser will remain the $ NZ SB in my shop.

Do you have a reason for preferring Martinborough to Marlborough for SB?

--brian

--
Brian Boutel
Wellington New Zealand


Note the NOSPAM

On Sun, 28 Dec 2003 14:57:49 +1300, Brian Boutel
wrote:

swooper wrote:



Thanks Brian. Looks like Palliser will remain the $ NZ SB in my shop.

Do you have a reason for preferring Martinborough to Marlborough for SB?

--brian

Not particularly, but I have Marlborough covered by Giesen, Montana
and Mt Riley, (I know there are better wines, but with QPR
considerations they do sell well), so after the good Lord St H put me
onto Palliser a few vintages ago, I have created a niche following for
that wine. I was thinking , as I am known to do, I give certain wines
a 'holiday', whilst replacing with a boutique wine previously unseen
in the shop. The benefit is twofold. Firstly, the unseen wine races
off the shelf, (yes I have enough trusting regulars who will try
almost anything I select from a wine show), then when the regular wine
returns to the shelves, it too sells fast as people notice it is back.
Personally, many of my customers are already tiring of the fruit bomb
style SB's and are now leaning towards the more subtle styles. FWIW,
some little known West Aust SB's are supplying that at great QPR.....
Willespie Wines and Forest Hill Vineyards, both from the deightful
Margaret River region.

Regards Swooper.

"swooper dooper wrote..........

I have Marlborough covered by Giesen, Montana and Mt Riley,
(I know there are better wines, but with QPR considerations they
do sell well), so after the good Lord St H put me onto Palliser
a few vintages ago, I have created a niche following for that wine.


Hey Swoop - I don't know how it stacks up price wise in Aus. but if you
can get yourself a sample bottle, try the Wither Hills Sauvignon - also out
of Marlborough.

I rate this right up there with Cloudy Bay - consistently very good every
year.

WH was purchased by Lion Breweries last year - and has brought the price
down co that it sells for $NZ17-20 compared to CB at $NZ22-25

Have a great 2004

--

st.helier

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 17:25:54 +1300, "st.helier"
wrote:

"swooper dooper wrote..........

I have Marlborough covered by Giesen, Montana and Mt Riley,
(I know there are better wines, but with QPR considerations they
do sell well), so after the good Lord St H put me onto Palliser
a few vintages ago, I have created a niche following for that wine.


Hey Swoop - I don't know how it stacks up price wise in Aus. but if you
can get yourself a sample bottle, try the Wither Hills Sauvignon - also out
of Marlborough.

I rate this right up there with Cloudy Bay - consistently very good every
year.

WH was purchased by Lion Breweries last year - and has brought the price
down co that it sells for $NZ17-20 compared to CB at $NZ22-25

Have a great 2004

Thanks for the tip StH..... but according to the 'bible' (Thompsons
Liquor Guide), Wither Hills is not imported. May have to ring Lion
Nathan after the holiday break and ask the Q.

You too have a great 2004..... and hopefully we will meet this year.

Regards Swooper

On Wed, 31 Dec 2003 17:25:54 +1300, "st.helier"
wrote:

"swooper dooper wrote..........

I have Marlborough covered by Giesen, Montana and Mt Riley,
(I know there are better wines, but with QPR considerations they
do sell well), so after the good Lord St H put me onto Palliser
a few vintages ago, I have created a niche following for that wine.


Hey Swoop - I don't know how it stacks up price wise in Aus. but if you
can get yourself a sample bottle, try the Wither Hills Sauvignon - also out
of Marlborough.

I rate this right up there with Cloudy Bay - consistently very good every
year.

WH was purchased by Lion Breweries last year - and has brought the price
down co that it sells for $NZ17-20 compared to CB at $NZ22-25

Have a great 2004

Found it....and ordered some. It will sell around the $20AUD mark, so
the first few cases will sell regardless..... then we make decisions
re keeping it in stock. Did not taste it...... but as it is
distributed via Brian Croser's "Distinguished Wines", I know it will
be fine. :)

Regards Swooper

Hi Swoop

Glad you could find it - it has consistently been one of the top
Sauvignons out of Marlborough for several years.

You an feel very confident in recommending it - particularly if you are the
only one stocking it in your area.

Comes with Lord St.Helier's personal recommendation.

atb

--

st.helier

On Tue, 20 Jan 2004 20:38:08 +1300, "st.helier"
wrote:

Hi Swoop

Glad you could find it - it has consistently been one of the top
Sauvignons out of Marlborough for several years.

You an feel very confident in recommending it - particularly if you are the
only one stocking it in your area.

Comes with Lord St.Helier's personal recommendation.

atb

Well St.H, you have done it again. Tried a bottle last night. Pale
yellow colour, subtlety of citrus, finesse and balance as opposed to
the fruit bomb style, with a long lasting mouth feel. I loved it.

Even the trouble 'n' strife was delighted, to the point , when she
arrived home, was asked if she desired a glass. She replied "no".
When encouraged to at least try it, passed my last full glass, and,
that was the end of the glass. One mouthful, she said, "Oooh, thats
beautiful, thanks, I will have a glass", and sat. :( Considering
the time of night, I had to settle for a nightcap (or 2) of Knob Creek
bourbon, while SHE sipped the wine.

At $21AUD, won't have any probs selling it with BOTH our
recommendations. :)

Thanks Again

Swooper