I bought some from Laithwaites on Summer offer , worked out as £7 per bottle plus delivery of 50p a bot across the range of NZ SB's. Jane Hunter's monopole from Wairau Valley. Wine maker Gary Duke. Brix at harvest which ended on 23rd April 2009 was averaging at 22.75, 13.5% vol

Well made wine - not Tate & Lyle at all, a bit full for Goose, not razor edged enough for him - a tad girly as are 95% of the half decent '09's at this price level are, at the mo.

Good balance, with a good Mango nose that regretably is not replicated in the flavour. A citrussy flavour - predominantly. ripe pink grapefruit again, with a touch of pith (nice pith). Some lemon grass and of course ripe gooseberry and some sweet green peppers. Keep cool for the streak of MSB.

No lychee or white peach, but well made wine though and balanced. Don't leave in the glass too warm for too long though - looses it.

Against others - better and more interesting than the bulk mixers.

Please give the small people some business, is my message, otherwise the big b*st*rds could start clearing-up the interesting ones.

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Talking of the '09 MSB's I have not really found that green house tomatoe leaf or blackcurrant bush leaf pungency yet, that was accentuated in the good '07s.

of the few, against many available, Old Renwick is the most sophisticated so far.

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Duncan

I agree. Any 09 I've had do far lacks those flavour which happen to be what I now desire in a MSB
Even the 08s, which was deemed a lesser vintage had some of these flavours (hopefully the JE 08 has retained it still)

" blackcurrant blackcurrant blackcurrant " see the effect I have on you all. I hear Mel got thrown out of a Fine Wine white Burgundy tasting session at Berry Bros for complaining that there was no gooseberry notes in the Meursault and no capsicum on the finish of the Chassagne Montrachet.

You're all hooked.....

For my next trick I will make you all think Blossom Hill pinot grigio is wonderful.

You've been warned.

Speak for yourself.

This forum is almost as bad as.. www.msb-twaddle.co.uk

Fresh blackcurrants with fruit & fibre for breakfast, or a decent vanilla icecream is where it's at.

Blackcurrant in SB doesnt exist, its all in your head(s).

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Yep, Im still here.

Sampled a cheaper Chilean Riesling at my local: Looked at trendy Mount Difficulty pinot gris.

Heed thy warning, Matey - I had to order your favourite MSB from Majestic yesterday. None in stock there.

Astrolabe '09 on the 'Keg' green label in stock - Crazy money though, Maj appears to have been a bit naughty, the've grossed up the Retail then discounted to £1 more than Waitrose's launch price last October. None of the A basic on the black label available.

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Duncan