Ara wines fit into a three-tier system. The Ara Pathway Sauvignon Blanc 2009 ($16) is super-fruity, fragrant and juicy - packed with fresh passionfruit and herbaceous notes. What I really like about the Composite Sauvignon Blanc 2008 ($22) is that it has a lovely crisp, fresh, dry character while being
soft and seamless. It has good lines, lifted minerality and elegance. The Resolute Sauvignon Blanc 2007 ($29) has incredible weight and power. Hay, elderflower, lupin and dried herb notes lead to a multi-layered and opulent finish. Definitely a food wine that would be undeniably superb with oysters. "This wine took a long time to come out of its shell, but it is developing into a cerebral, food-friendly wine with wonderful, thought-provoking substance," says Martin.
The Pathway Pinot Noir 2008 ($20) shows baked strawberries, rhubarb and juicy plum fruit.
The Composite Pinot Noir 2008 ($27) has masculine density and length interwoven with plum, black tea and baking spices. It has purity of fruit and persistence of flavour. The Resolute Pinot Noir 2007 ($45) displays stunning black cherry, bracken, forest floor, cocoa and stewed rhubarb notes. It has savoury warmth, weight and solid structure in which the tannins are elastic yet dusty in the mouth.
