Recent Reviews
APRIL 2010 Decanter World Wine Awards 2010 Silver - Fraser Pinot Noir 2008 & Blue Rock Pinot Noir 2008 Bronze - Saleyards Syrah 2008
TIZWINE.COM wine Reviews http://www.tizwine.com Murdoch James ‘Blue Rock' Pinot Noir 2008 4 1/2 STARS - Impressive wine that has red
berry and smokey bacon aromas. The palate displays strawberries and raspberries
with delicious fruit/oak integration and silky, drying tannins. Concentrated
and beautifully balanced. 3 STARS - Essentially Cabernet Franc
with some Cab Sav thrown in, this wine still needs time but already displays
good fruit weight with hints of spice and burnt sugar allied to fine, taut
tannins. Murdoch James Martinborough Pinot Noir 2008 3 STARS - Spicy and herbal with good
berry fruit, gentle tannins and a hint of sweetness. Not complicated but easy
to drink and pleasing. Ready now which a lot of 08 Pinots are not. MARCH 2010 Wine
Orbit ~Extensive
Wine Review by Senior Wine Judge, Sam Kim www.wineorbit.co.nz Murdoch
James Blue Rock Cabernets 2008 Medium
red in colour. A nicely lifted nose displaying red berry, tomato stalk and
subtle spice characters. It's fruity on the palate with bright fruits, crisp
acidity and firm tannins. A sturdy red made from Cabernet Franc and Cabernet
Sauvignon. At its best: now to 2011. $22.00 Moderate availability. 12% Screw
cap. Nov 2009. Murdoch
James Pinot Gris 2008 A
subtle nose showing peach, pear and floral characters. The palate is lively and
juicy with a hint of sweetness, smooth texture and well balanced acidity. The
wine flows nicely and is very easy on the palate. At its best: now to 2011. Murdoch
James Fraser Pinot Noir 2006 A
complex and gently aromatic bouquet displaying red plum, spice, game and a savoury
mushroom characters. The palate is smooth and rounded showing lovely silky
mouthfeel and nicely balanced acidity. It finishes elegantly with fine tannins.
This wine should partner beautifully to rich savoury dishes. At its best: now
to 2010. Murdoch
James Blue Rock Pinot Noir 2008 A
savoury style Pinot displaying ripe plum, earthy mushroom and spice characters
on the nose. It's well weighted on the palate with a smooth mouthfeel and
gently drying fine tannins. A well structured and firmer style Pinot ideally
suited to partner rich savoury dishes. At its best: now to 2012. $34.00
Moderate availability. 13.5% Screw cap. www.murdochjames.co.nz. Nov 2009. Murdoch
James Sauvignon Blanc 2008 A
gently intense nose displaying fresh herb, floral and lemon zest characters.
It's juicy and fruity on the palate with rounded mouthfeel and zesty acidity.
An appealing style with vibrant flavours and a crisp dry finish. At its best:
now to 2010. Murdoch James Saleyards Syrah 2006 Medium-deep
red in colour with a hint of purple. A savoury nose displaying red plum, spice,
game and a hint of earthy characters. It's well fruited on the palate with
bright acidity and soft texture. The finish is modestly long with fine, dusty
tannins. At its best: now to 2011. DECEMBER 2009 Murdoch James 2008 Blue Rock Unoaked Chardonnay: "A wine with lots of drinkability, although dry and
perhaps best with food. Good nice ripe fruit sets this wine up nicely and it
ready to sit beside fish, including oysters, and, as the label suggests, 'avocado
guacamole'. No hurry". ~Peter Saunders, NZ Hospitality Magazine Murdoch James Estate 2008 Martinborough Pinot Noir: "High drinkability, true to variety characters and
nicely tasting. Nothing heavy or over-wooded here, rather a classy wine with
some finesse. Very approachable now, but no hurry - into 2013" ~Peter
Saunders, Hospitality Magazine
Continuing the great reception this wine
has been receiving, the 2008 'Wairarapa' Pinot Gris was rated 4 1/2 stars (out
of 5) by the influential Australian publication, SEPTEMBER 2009 The Murdoch James Pinot Noir
2008 was 'Editor's Choice' in the New Zealand Wine magazine this month. |
       |
