Kingston Estate - Tessera 2002
Squawking Magpie 2005

Two wines, though not from the cellar but currently available, deserve mention and if you are in a position to purchase them, they are highly recommended.

The Kingston Estate Tessara is a blend of Cabernet Savignon, Petit Verdot, Merlot & Cabernet Franc. It is highly unusual for a wine of this vintage (2002) to be available 5 years later especially at bargain basement price ($NZ9.95) and goodness only knows where it's been sitting in the interim. Suspicious we bought a couple of bottles to try, but quickly hurried back for more. The palate packs a punch of fruit flavours with blackcurrant featuring predominant. Not overly heavy in structure it a very well balanced wine and can be sipped on the terrace in the sun with lunch (which a number of us did!). Being in stelvin cap, cork taint will not be a problem, so even at this age you should be able to purchase confident of consistent quality. One of those bargains which pops up now and again.

Much of the above can be applied to the Squawking Magpie Syrah (shiraz) which was also tried and purchased in a greater quantity. At $NZ12.95 this again is a bargain showing good fruit and white pepper characters which NZ Syrah is identifiable with. This is a much lighter European style and consumers comfortable with big meaty Australian shiraz will likely be disappointed which may account for the bargain price. Again in stelvin cap, consistency should not be a problem.

Both have been available through Corporate Direct at the quoted prices. If you can find some, buy it.