This is the price when taking the 6 x MSB offer recently.

This is what Bob Campbell says: score was 83/100 in December 2009

Ripe passion fruit with underlying green capsicum and a hint of matchstick/armpit. Solid varietal wine with an impeccable balance and moderately dry finish.

Another boutique winery. The wine is a blend of fruit from individual vineyards in Wairau and Awaterre valleys. So it has (exhibits) some of the tropical fruit character of Wairau, and some of the herbacious notes of Awaterre.

The wine has improved considerably in the last 6 months. The matchstick has gone, not keen on that note anyway. This is a fuller and richer wine now. On opening, the wine is better than average MSB and has a tiny bit of blackcurrent leaf pungency. After 48 hours for a 3/4 qtrs bottle in the fridge, and the wine is very good. If you want the fuller styler with tropical fruit, good acidity, and still fairly dry, this is a nice alternative to a few other good ones we have tried on the '09.

Yep, this wine is a slow burner. Buy the wine now, and when on offer, and drink Autumn, Christmas and into the new year. When aged for 12 months this wine is good and close to a 90/100 when compared to other reviews written up by Bob Campbell.

The best of the Laithwaites 6 pack mixed bunch so far. Nice and also different.

Recommended when served as I have described, if serving for a dinner aperatif or seafood starter, decant, put in fridge for a few hours, take out and pour back into the bottle if your guests like bottles and labels.

Made by Gordon Russell at Esk Valley winery.

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Duncan

A bit of learning, if you don't know. Gordon Russell took over the winemaking in 1993, but these guys have been around since the 1930's

A more traditional approach to style - therefore needs some time to blossom.

The Terraces cuvee, Yeah, I'd like to give that a go. I bet it's all reserved for those NZ folks or the dinkums next door

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Duncan