TN: The first '05 wine

Interesting. The local grocery store had this for $1.99/bottle but I didn't try any of it. I wish I had. I found other gems, though, like vintage Iron Horse sprakling wine for $4 and Fess Parker chardonnay for $2. Every once in a while the grocery store loses its mind. In past years I've found Ravenswood Icon, BV Tapestry, and Taittinger for similar prices. I guess when they want it cleared it gets cleared.

Dimitri

Thanks for the notes (TNs, or not).

I'm PERSONALLY glad to hear the positive report. As a big fan of the CB NZ/SB, plus Nautilus, et al, I really appreciate that style of SB.

I do wonder about the marketing choice of re-naming, or perhaps botteling wines for specific markets. As you noted, this one might not even "exist" in NZ. Is the export market so driven by labeling? It does appear that the " Madison Ave" types feel that it is. How many "Yellow-Tailed-Fat-Bastards, do we need? .

Again, thanks, Hunt

Hm-m-m, looks like you might be right -

Thanks, Hunt

Hmm--- I seem to recall someone in the wine business telling me that (in California) they couldn't sell wine for less than what it cost them. Some consumer protection scheme or such. Any truth to this?

Mike P

"Hunt" wrote in reply to MarkLipton.....

As Mark correctly observed, Monkey Bay is a US only, "marketers" label (there was a brief discussion in this ng back in June).

And of course, the Madison Ave publicity machine is in full swing in respect of the 2005 vintage - take a look at

(Note that the label design was done by the same designer of YellowTail!)

I can make no comment on this particular wine, but the 2005 vintage out of Marlborough was somewhat smaller than 2004, but, being a little warmer and drier at harvest, expect wines with plenty of flavour and good concentration.

I have no idea, but I see it all the time - unless their costs are a lot lower than I imagined! :)

Dimitri

Yes, after my first reply, but before yours, I found the URL and deduced as much. They did not come out and confirm, and you did - thanks - that it was US only, but I suppose we "yanks" will buy anything with a catchy name, and a cute animal on the bottle. However, Mark's notes indicate that it might be worthwhile SB. I'll have to make an exception and BUY a wine with a catchy name AND a cute animal on the bottle .

Thanks to both you and Mark, Hunt

Hunt

Bark cork, plastic stopper, screw-cap?

M.

Plastic stopper, Michael. Since this is an export-only brand, I suspect that they avoided Stelvin for the US market.

Mark Lipton

Thank you.

I hear extremely contradicting news from the US markets: From total rejection to acclaimed approval - strange, isn't it?

M.