Stonecroft Wines

The Wines of Stonecroft, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand

 

-wines tasted June 2005

 

Dark coloured. Quite a tight, intense dark fruits nose with some freshness and spicy, tarry notes in the background. There’s a hint of minerality, too. The palate has wonderful acidity providing a savoury, tarry minerality to the dark fruits. A pretty serious effort with the bright dark fruits emphasized by the acidity. A really good food wine, and possibly one for the future.
Very good/excellent - 92/100 (£14.99 Oddbins)

 

2003 was a short vintage, with half the usual crop. Really appealing perfumed nose: predominantly red fruits with a subtle herby edge and distinctive pepperiness. Hints of tar. The Palate is savoury and fresh with lovely spiciness and structure. Quite old world and expressive in style. Fine, fresh and almost Burgundian!
Very good/excellent - 92/100

 

This is a fantastic wine if you like the style: a big, powerful Chardonnay. Very intense, full direct nose of rich, spicy tropical fruits with some well-integrated oak. Both mesh well. The palate is concentrated and intense with powerful melon and tropical fruit, combined with a rich, spicy streak. Powerful and complex with fantastic concentration and class.
Very good/excellent - 92/100