Canterbury is a very underrated region for pinot noir (and I'm not just being parochial) and we've noticed some recent lower priced releases that are excellent buying if you believe you should be getting the best-value in a tight economic climate. There are some very good, everyday drinkers you should consider and we have done some taste testing and listed them below.

But if you want to taste and then buy the best quality, try our tasting on Wednesday 11th March with Peter Maude (The Baron) of Peter Maude Fine Wines from Auckland. This is a tasting for those who seriously crave the best of France's Cote d'Or (Bourgogne region). We will indulge in red and white burgundy matched with the food of Nik Mavromatis of Mediterranean Foods. It will be a top night in the upstairs lounge at Watsons Auctions. Click here for further information

Tresillian Canterbury Pinot Noir 2006

This is a very well-made wine and the price is right. Perhaps West Melton has never before produced a wine this good. The complex nose with beetroot earthiness, hints of barnyard. It delivers on the palate as well with layers of tamarillo, raspberry and savoury spice. It has good concentration, carries the mid-palate and delivers a long, dry finish. Will be excellent with gamey food - go out and shoot a pheasant! (just kidding)

RRP is $29.90. Our special price to you $26.50

Torlesse Waipara Pinot Noir 2007

The Torlesse label just keeps getting better and better with each vintage and for us they are Waipara's best value-for-money brand. Winemaker Kym Rayner has done a great job with this well balanced wine that shows strawberries, cherries and a smokey spiciness that is very appealing. Most of all the wine displays true varietal character and for the price it's great drinking.

RRP is $19.90. Our special price is $16.90/btl. $185/case.

Russian Jack Pinot Noir 2008

The second label of Burnt Spur which proved to be one of the our biggest selling with the 2007 version. The 2008 has just been released and while new in the bottle this wine is obviously very classy and again representing great value. Martinborough/Waiarapa pinot worth drinking is hard to come by at this price; it exhibits the style of the region with some spicy and savoury characters and is certain to keep improving with a little bottle age. Try it and you'll like it.

RRP $19.50. Our special price to you is $17.50. Case price $205

Torlesse Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2008

Good ripe fruit characters of stonefruit and peach, quite fat for savvy. More typical of Waipara which produces dominant mineral characters in savvy as opposed to the traditional grassy, gooseberry style of Marlborough. This is an excellent food match wine with low residual sugar levels that leaves a dry finish. Excellent match with shellfish and goats cheese..

RRP $17.90. Our special price to you is $15.90. Case buys just $179

Rockface Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008

More traditional savvy than the one above but this also has a twist. Less fruit forward on the palate but develops in the mouth with excellent texture, mid-palate weight and good length of finish. The texture is derived from 20% barrique fermentation and has had extra time of lees - thus it's really a very good price for such a hand-crafted wine.

This is a $20 wine by quality. Our brilliant special price only $14.90, but we're making this our 'house white' for the low price of $12.90/btl or $144/case

Cave de Tain Syrah 2006

Easy drinking, soft red from the Northern Rhone Valley where the world's best syrah/shiraz is produced, albeit this is a Vin des Pays appellation. We have been trying to get this in-stock for some time. It should be everyone's 'house red' at this price.  Full on the palate, dark, ripe berry fruit characters with a touch of spice, leaning more towards New-World style than the other. The wine has balance, is well made and offers fantastic value for money. We highly recommend.

Limited stocks at just $14.90/btl, special price to you only $13.40/btl

Business Hours
Hemingway Fine Wines                   Monday and Tuesday 10.30am to 7pm
                                                         Wednesday to Saturday 10am to 7pm
  

We freight wine all over NZ and most parts of the world.

Phone 374 3344. Fax 374 3343.

Ample parking at rear of building for use by HFWs
after 5PM and all-day on Saturdays.

The wine you drink is the wine you deserve