Wine Review: This dark ruby colored Merlot opens with a smoky grilled meat like bouquet with hints of new leather. On the palate, this wine is medium bodied, balanced, smooth, and very Old World in style. The flavor profile is a smoky blackberry with notes of black currant, licorice, and oak. The finish is dry and its moderate tannins drift away nicely. The panel thought this distinctive South African styled Merlot would pair perfectly with pot roast or a ribeye steak

Brancott Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2008, New Zeland

92 points and one of the Wine Spectator’s Top 100 Wines of 2009: “This is crisp, offering a lively mouthful of peach-accented grapefruit and mineral flavors, all hanging on effortlessly through the long, graceful finish. Drink now.” Brancott planted the first commercial vineyard in Marlborough and produced their first Sauvignon Blanc in 1979. In 1995, they were among the founding members of the original sustainable winegrowing initiative. They have gone on to become one of the largest producers of wine in New Zealand with a broad portfolio of wines ranging from entry level, to reserve to a “terroir” series. From the stellar 2008 vintage, they have fashioned a classic Marlborough “savvy.” The fruit for this Reserve wine was sourced mainly from the Brancott vineyard in the southern part of the Wairau Valley along with some fruit from the Awatere Valley. Most of the grapes harvested were crushed and left with the skins for a few hours to extract strength and richness of flavor. The remainder was gently pressed to achieve fresh, clear, elegant juice. A slow cool fermentation followed to retain regional and varietal character. The bouquet explodes with notes of gooseberry, lime blossom, lemon zest and red pepper. On the palate, the wine shows exquisite balance with a rich, full mid-palate complemented by mineral notes, vibrant acidity and a long, refreshing finish. This is truly a wine worthy of the “Reserve” designation. (Jim Chanteloup, K&L Merchants NZ buyer)

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