Wine

Vineyards near some of the great chateaux can produce superb-value wines.

Vineyards near some of the great chateaux can produce superbvalue wines.

Paul Mitchell has imported carefully selected, well-priced Bordeaux wines into New Zealand since 1988. The largest fine-wine region in the world, planted by vine-carrying Romans 2000 years ago, Bordeaux is the home of many legendary, chateau-bottled reds, blended mostly from cabernet sauvignon and merlot, plus the irresistibly lush, honey-sweet wines of Sauternes.

Trading as The Wine Importer and based at Kumeu, in West Auckland, Mitchell aims to keep the internationally admired wines of Bordeaux affordable by selling them directly to consumers via mail order. “The 2009 and 2010 vintages remain the modern benchmark for Bordeaux reds,” he reports. “Fortunately, I am still able to source good wines from those years from Bordeaux in the $25 to $40 price range.”

In his pursuit of top value, Mitchell ferrets out the best wines from less prestigious districts within Bordeaux. “Pricing is based on location,” he notes. “A Pomerol will fetch $300 per bottle, but just over the fence, a Lalande-de-Pomerol, with the same soils and sub-climate, may fetch only $30.”

Chateau Trésor du Grand Moine 2010

A great buy, this stylish Lalandede-Pomerol was blended mostly from merlot and cabernet franc and matured for 15 months in French oak barriques. Deeply coloured, it is still fairly youthful, with substantial body (14.5% alc/vol), concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, hints of dark chocolate and nuts, impressive complexity and a firm, lasting finish. Drink now or cellar. $34.50

Château La Gorre 2010

From 35-year-old merlot and cabernet sauvignon vines in the Médoc, this barrel-aged red is sturdy (13.5% alc/ vol), with deep, maturing colour, a fragrant bouquet and strong, vibrant blackcurrant and herb flavours, complex, leathery and savoury. Ready. $27.50

Château Rieussec 2009

A star vineyard in its own right – with Château d’Yquem, the king of Sauternes, right next door – this is a rare chance to buy a full-sized bottle of one of the world’s greatest sweet white wines, at the usual price of a half bottle. Light gold, it is weighty (13.5% alc/vol), with lovely depth of peach, apricot and honey flavours, a rich, oily texture, and bottle-aged complexities emerging. A memorable mouthful. $92.50