Connoisseur Club Newsletter

Wines Awards Reviews

"Clifford Bay is an extremely good estate at the mouth of the Awatere River in Marlborough, New Zealand. It's well known for it's Sauvignon, less so for it's Riesling, but it's wines always have an intensity of flavour. I smelt this and wondered if it had too much flavour, but taste it and it's just right - ripe, waxy, honeyed weight, but also lots of citrus zest acidity, excellent minerality and refreshing white peach and apple fruit"

Wine of the week 25/06/06. A hint of marmalade and honey, but waxy lime aromas, a whiff of Paraffin and floral, lighter aromas dominate. On the palate it is quite weighty, with a touch of a waxy, pear and apple skin richness, loads of searing lime fruit and acidity, and just a hint of residual sugar that adds a little fat and texture before a long, tantalisingly just off-dry finish. Very nice drinking this, and delicious for summer

" Very fruity but not cloyingly sweet – just off dry, slightly floral and very refreshing and immediate with just a hint of botrytised fruit to add interest " " If you are looking for a wine to shine over dinner this summer, here is a very strong candidate "

"drier style, slightly austere . . . . with real rising character on palate. Well made."

"showing the depth of flavours . . . . fresh, aromatic and delightful"