Medal haul for Villa Maria

More wine news with Villa Maria's 2010 Royal Easter Show Wine Awards success. The show has proven a gold mine for the company with a haul of 13 gold medals and 15 silvers.

The gold medals were received for 11 different varieties made by Villa Maria and its associated wineries, Vidal and Esk Valley – wines that cover every price point.

Senior Auckland winemaker Nick Picone says the winemaking team was particularly rapt with the success of newer varieties such as verdelho and viognier.

"Villa Maria is the pioneer of verdelho in New Zealand so winning awards gives us confidence that we are heading in the right direction," he says.

More than 1500 wines from about 270 wine producers were tasted by the judging panel of five, and the 2010 Royal Easter Show trophy winners were announced at the official awards dinner on March 20.

Trophy winners: Sacred Hill Rifleman's Chardonnay 07; Omihi Road Waipara Gewurztraminer 08; Saint Clair Pioneer Block Oh! Block Sauvignon Blanc 09; Lawson's Dry Hills Marlborough Riesling 07; Lake Chalice Marlborough Eyrie Vineyard Pinot Gris 09; Villa Maria Cellar Selection Viognier 09; Villa Maria Single Vineyard Ihumatao Verdelho 08; Coopers Creek Marlborough Late Harvest Riesling 09; Villa Maria Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 08; Church Road Cuvee Merlot 07; Trinity Hill Homage Syrah 07; Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir 08 (2 trophies); Wooing Tree Central Otago Blondie (rose) 09; Deutz Marlborough Cuvee Blanc de Blancs 06; Clifford Bay Awatere Valley Sauvignon Blanc 09.

Winemaker of the year: Rudi Bauer of Central Otago.

Vidal Hawke's Bay Syrah 2007

Colour: Deep ruby red with flashes of purple on a black background.

Aroma: Black pepper and herbs, plums, tobacco and some powerful eucalyptus notes. Given a shake-up this aroma becomes ripe, rich, laced with sweet blackberry and black currant.

Taste: A clean, luscious expression of the fruit. This lively wine has slightly green tannins, a silky texture and the delightful flavour of plums and cherries. The fine texture is enhanced by some warming spiciness and there's a generous lick of black pepper towards the finish.

The intense sweet plum and tannin finish rolls out to a dusty, dry aftertaste. A very satisfying wine that's excellent value for money.

Price: Great value at $25.

Saint Clair Family Estate, Pioneer Block 17, Bay Bock Merlot 2007

We loved the Saint Clair Bay Block Syrah and the merlot sets the same high standard.

Colour: Garnet, opaque some flashes of terracotta.

Aroma: A wine with the "mmm" factor – plums, chocolate cherries and dark berries – it's a rich fruit cake of an aroma. There's also a generous whiff of sweet tobacco and some minty herbal notes.

Taste: Fruity, fleshy and ripe with chocolate and mint notes at the finish.

The tannins are dry and dusty, there's a firm acid spine to hold the rich flavours in check and the medium-bodied style makes this wine elegant and easy to drink. A good example of ripe Hawke's Bay merlot.

Price: $24.95.

Matakana Estate Hawke's Bay Merlot, Cabernet Franc 2007

(71 per cent merlot, 29 per cent cabernet franc)

Colour: Dark inky red, velvety, almost grainy.

Aroma: Old plums, bacon and boot polish – rich and intensely savoury.

Taste: Fine tannins and ripe sweet fruit with just enough acid to hold it all together. This smooth, rich red is full of rewarding savoury, yeasty notes – think Marmite and black pepper. The flavours and texture point to a well structured wine that's very rewarding drinking.

Forget your big Aussie Barossa reds, this is a full-bodied red wine that has power, elegance and pure class – right out to the herbal, meaty and intensely fruity finish and aftertaste.

Price: A bargain at $29.

Triplebank Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 08

Colour: Deep cherry red, clear and brilliant.

Aroma: Ripe plums, spice and leather – rich and port-like with some sweaty, tarry rope nuances. Shake the glass and there is a whiff of violets and some rich chocolate.

Taste: Silky in texture, warming, spicy with plenty of luscious ripe plum flavour. This wine has a palate to match the aroma – the drying tannins and sweet plum flavours are enhanced by some violet and chocolate notes. Towards the finish the palate becomes brisker – some green herbal and smoky oak flavours establish themselves.

There's dried fruit on the finish and lingering aftertaste are of dried fruit. A complex and rewarding wine, the flavours are well integrated and it's enjoyable to tease them out.

Price: Excellent buying at 26.95.

- The Marlborough Express