I thought this was going to be the silliest of silly wines, but I am actually enjoying the 2005 Oyster Bay Merlot. (
It’s balanced, has nice fruit, and a a little bit of smoke on the finish. Like a baby right-bank Bordeaux. (I cannot believe I just typed that.) Can’t say that I’m a fan of Pinot Noir or Sauv Blanc from New Zealand. But I like this little Merlot. Should be about ten bucks I think. Pleasant! A nice little wine, really a little charmer.
UPDATE:I think this is the perfect cheeseburger wine. And when I say cheeseburger, I don’t mean one with a salad on it. Lettuce, tomato, onion? Give me a break. You have beef, cheese, and maybe some ketchup and/or mayo. It’s not a salad, it’s a burger!!! Jesus!
hi there , have you actually been to NZ and tried the wines here or have you just tried them in Washington. We have some incredible wines being produced in NewZealand, just because you have tried one or two that you dont like doesnt mean that all wines of that variety are bad.
It’s my screwed-up palate. I just really do not have a taste for almost all Sauv Blanc, but I find the NZ ones to be especially green-beany. I don’t know if it’s the style or that the grapes are not ripe when harvested.
(I do like Bordeaux blends with half Semillon/half SB and Dagueneau’s wines from the Loire are to die for.)
The Pinot Noirs I have tasted (about 10) have all seemed a bit dirty to me. And they are very expensive; you can buy decent Burgundy/Oregon/California for the same price.
I have been fond of Riesling from NZ, though. I try to keep an open mind and I am always enthusiastic about tasting NZ wines, but after having 30+ Sauvignon Blancs, I don’t see a lot of difference. People love them and that’s great, but they are not for me.