Not Marlborough but Nelson not a blackcurrant leaf, nettle or capsicum in sight but something subtle and tropical perhaps guava with hint of passion fruit.

Really fabulous wine and the top NZ sb of 2009 by a mile but with nearly all the usual top dogs still to be tried.

Went lovely with pork loin steaks. Not a classic wine/ food match I agree but I drink sb with everything. I'll even drink it with the smack on the nose i'll get from Mel if I don't stop banging on about NZ sauv.

You can't help it, we understand.

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mel

I know.....next week i'm starting my care in the community snow shovelling/ Saint Clair wine tasting course.

For every 3 tonnes of snow I shift off the Brecon Beacons I get to taste one glass of Saint Clair's Pioneer Block range from 2002.

I wanted the 2009 but I waxed so lyrical in court that the judge confiscated the lot for medicinal purposes.

You cheeky sod - I've been looking at Nelson, but on the 2008, warmer and less trouble with that underipe '08 MSB fruit. I'm waiting for them to disco Nelson '08 SB cos fortunately: they only know one thing.... how to clear warehouses.

My research says that quality Nelson keeps a bit longer. We wait to see.

Pork Loin and fuller fruitier Nelson SB (At least he's not a complete n**d, you were hoping for bramley apple sauce )

Well I'm off to 2005 Cote de Beaune land this evening - nominaly checking cellar stock again on earlier bottle numbers. I clearned all that snow from the gulley, and round the parapet at the back, and now I deserve. Hearty winter vegetable, butter bean, quorn, stock cubes stew has been gently simmering. I like dumplings as well

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Duncan

You're not allowed any of the 2009 individual Pioneer blocks yet - Mistake at Maj site says the 2008..........

http://www.majestic.co.uk/find/category ... t-is-37171


Yet, I am told the 2009 SC Estate Selection general mix is ready for a go, and at £8.79, you are the our man to report.

You don't even have to shovel snow for this.

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Duncan

This is still fantastic. Some tropical notes and a little grassiness. Nice tartness and really fruity. Stick some red colouring in this and it'd really confuse wine experts

Almost forgot

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tribs

I like this too. Very different to Saint Clair but lovely in it's own way.