Christie Kiley on February 10, 2014 0 Comments Quick Characteristics Winery: Alpha Domus Vineyard Location: New Zealand Vintage: 2010 ABV: 14.0% pH: 3.80 Sugar Level: ‹ 1.0 g/L Harvest Dates: May 7–23, 2010 Bottling Date: March 14, 2012 Pairs With: Beef Stew, Steak, Venison As wine consumers in North America we are very lucky, the depth of choice on our wine retailer’s shelves is something that many countries envy. We can pick up bottles not only from close to home but also from across the world. So here’s a wine review from a country that you may not have tried yet. New Zealand, the beautiful islands situated in the South Pacific, has become a popular choice for drinkers searching for wine with real fruit driven character. The country offers an amazing range of bottles that complement so well all of the incredible foods from the Pacific Rim. This has not always been the case. As little as thirty years ago, 98% of all wine produced in the land of the long white cloud stayed firmly there. Since that time the story has been one of great export success, with increasing quantities arriving on our shores. New Zealand comprises ten major wine growing regions spread across two Islands, North Island and South Island. Perhaps the best known wines from the South Island are the cool climate Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough and the elegant Pinot Noir from Otago. For the North Island the flag bearer would be the world class Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet blends from Hawkes Bay. Situated midway down the east coast of New Zealand’s North Island, Hawkes Bay has built a reputation for the production of fruit filled and beautifully balanced Cabernet based red blends. The province is dominated by the bay area to the east and is the country’s oldest wine region with its beginnings in 1851. It is also the second largest area of production on the Islands. The winery of Alpha Domus is situated just to the south west of the town of Hastings, with its vineyards surrounding the hamlet of Bridge Pa. These vineyards have been recognized as some of the best in the entire country. Right beside the winery is an historic grass airstrip which has inspired the labels for the wines. The AD range is the Estate’s exclusive bottling and The Aviator its top wine, consistently ranked 90+ by critic Robert Parker. It is a blend of four grapes; the largest share is Cabernet Sauvignon with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Malbec comprising the rest. Hand harvested, the wine is fermented and then transferred for aging into French oak barrels where it spends a further seventeen months maturing. The 2010 is a wonderfully intense and red fruit driven wine with ample spice and cigar box notes on the nose. The palate is dominated by sweet berry fruits, spice and fine oak tannins. Best decanted, it is wine that you can enjoy now or it will repay cellaring. This is a serious and complex wine that demands to be served with equally important food, The Aviator work well extremely well with prime cuts of red meat and venison. Alpha Domus The Aviator represents everything that a first class Cabernet blend should be. New Zealand, and in particular Hawke’s Bay, is becoming famous for these wines and this is just one producer from a country well worth exploring for its wine. More Wine Reviews: REVIEW: 2010 De Toren Private Estate Fusion V REVIEW: 2009 Bramare Cabernet Sauvignon from Viña Cobos REVIEW: 2009 Gundlach Bundschu Cabernet Sauvignon REVIEW: Cakebread Cellars Red Hills 2010 Zinfandel
