WTN: Matua Valley Cabernet Sauvignon-Merlot 2003

Hawkes Bay.

Dark red.

Light-bodied (surprisingly so, considering the grapes), tangy and tart, black cherry, apple, red currants, some greeness-leafiness.

Supports my previously held belief (right or wrong) that NZ reds tend to be on the light, tangy side.

Long, tangy, red apple finish.

Screwcap closure.

Very poor QPR at $15.95 (Canadian).

Bruce
I've generally been unimpressed by Matua Valley. If you ever see Te Mata (Coleraine, Awatea or Bullnose) then give them a try instead. Awatea will be the cheapest at ~ US$25-$30. True though, that there's not many fruit-monsters in NZ.

Not much value at the cheap end of NZ reds IMO, though I have stumbled across the odd bargain.

regards

Ian

Supports my previously held belief (right or wrong) that NZ reds tend to be on the light, tangy side.

Bruce, this is an entry level red in NZ, a supermarket quaffer. I looked back at my notes on this wine and they are not very complimentary, either. But please don't write off all NZ reds because of this wine. There are plenty of stellar reds to choose from.

But if you want the best from Matua Valley, you need to choose the one that has the 'Ararimu' designation on it. It will be quite a few dollars more too but they age remarkably well too.

Cheers,
Sue

Well, what a coincidence! I have just poured a glass of the Matua Valley Shingle Peak Sauv Blanc `05.
Sue mentioned this was one to look out for and her tasting notes on her website echo my thinking!! I am having garlic shrimp, delicious.

Yes Bob, when it comes to Matua Valley whites, in particular sauvignon blanc, they are some of the best produced. Glad you found the Shingle Peak '05.

So just to clarify, when I said 'if you want the best from Matua Valley', I was referring to their reds made from cabernet and merlot grapes. Mind you, come to think of it, there is a rather nice Matua Valley 'Bullrush' Merlot that is a single vineyard merlot from the Bullrush Vineyard in Hawkes Bay.

Cheers,
Sue

Yeah, Sue, this SB has a lot going for it. Bruce, can you find it in Ont??

Yeah, Sue, this SB has a lot going for it. Bruce, can you find it in Ont??

Nope, just the Shingle Peak Riesling.