2010 Waimata Cogniscenti Gisborne Chardonnay The Waimata Wine label and the Waimata vineyard are central to Tairawhiti Polytechnics winemaking and viticulture programme where the wines made. As such a lot of lavish attention is paid to the wine- ie the use of French oak ( as they are not trying to profit out of the venture )- a lot more than would occur for a wine of this price. "French oak fermented its an elegant wine with good white peach creaminess and good weight on the palate." The last two vintages have been Gold Medal or Best Buy in Cuisine. Great chardonnay value that you would swear, if tasted blind, would be a $25-$30 chardonnay.

$16.99

2010 Te Hera 'Kiritea' Martinborough Pinot Noir A consistent bargain from Martinborough. 5 Stars in Winestate Magazine. "This bargain-priced red shot straight to a five-star rating on all score-sheets. Poised and youthful, it is weighty, finely textured and deeply coloured, with vibrant, concentrated flavours of cherries, herbs and spices, showing good complexity. ‘Lovely density’, wrote one panellist. Situated on the alluvial gravels of Martinborough where Te Hera Estate practice minimal intervention wine making ( low environmental impact and biodynamic practices ) which combine with Martinborough's natural low yields. How they can afford to sell pinot of this quality at this price is beyond us ( and Im sure a lot of other wineries! ) but ours is not to reason why so just enjoy this superb find.

$19.99

2010 Coopers Creek Chalk Ridge Hawkes Syrah Normally $26. The 2008 won the Trophy at the Air NZ Wine Awards for 'Best Syrah' and also scored a 95/100 from Bob Campbell, as did the 2009- the 2010 is just released and looking superb also. "Generous and impressively dense wine with cassis, black doris plum and blackberry flavours. The wine has an impressive silky texture with beautifully integrated fine tannins. This wine is from their Chalk Ridge block, just to the south of Havelock North. It is a steep, north facing amphitheatre that is strewn with fossilised limestone. They only use the ripest fruit from the top of the hill to craft this SV Syrah. A steal

$19.99

2011 Craggy Range Avery Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc Normally $21. Richard and Linda Avery's site is located in the famous stony soils of the old Omaka River bed, in the heart of Marlborough's Wairau Valley. "Vibrant colour streaked with silver hues. This wine bursts with aromas of passionfruit, blackcurrant, flint and capsicum. On the palate, the fruit is matched by savoury complexity, characterized as oyster shell and stony mineral notes. The finish is unusually long with a brine like textural flourish."

$16.99

2010 Basilisk McPherson Central Victoria Shiraz/ Mourvedre Runner up in the Jimmy Watson Trophy ( Australia's most prestiguous wine award ), Gold at Royal Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide, Hobart and Sydney Top 100 where it got Trophy. Incredible consistent results for a wine that was $24 and now is a steal at this price. "Rich, with elegant and supple tannins, this Rhone inspired blend is an enigmatic blend of cool- climate spicy Shiraz, tempered by the savoury tannins of Mouvedre. It delivers aromas and flavours of blackberry, pepper and spice combined with the elegant integration of French oak.

$19.99