For some, the only real choice of wine is white or red. For red wine aficionados, here are some recent releases worthy of consideration. All wines featured available at heraldwine.co.nz for a limited time
2011 Julicher Pinot Noir
This family-owned boutique winery has really come of age with its entry-level 99 Rows pinot noir and this slightly more expensive flagship style. Grown at Martinborough's Te Muna Terrace and harvested and treated with all the care
and affection a classy pinot requires, this is drinking now but could cellar nicely too. Flavours are earthy and gamey with lashings of black cherries, plums and mocha.
Price: $42
2011 Vasse Felix Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet is a robust, no-nonsense varietal ideally suited to the climate and deep, well-drained soils of Australia's Margaret River. This is from a legendary Australian producer and made of 94 per cent cabernet sauvignon, a touch of malbec, petit verdot and cabernet franc. This wine would easily keep for another decade. It has a savoury style with bursts of menthol, forest floor and blackcurrant.
Price: $45
2009 Newton/Forrest Cornerstone
Always reliable as a classy Hawkes Bay red wine that goes extremely well with rich red meat dishes or hearty pastas. Predominantly cabernet sauvignon, with merlot and malbec, this wine is drinking well now but will benefit from further careful cellaring.
There are loads of savoury characters and elements of sweet spice with the juicy, gutsy malbec shining through.
Price: $65
