Dinner for next door neighbours

Heirloom tomato gazpacho, garlic sourdough crouton
Caprese salad of heirloom tomato, Clevedon Buffalo mozzarella, amd Central Otago olive oil
Lemon and rosemary pan roasted chicken, fresh garden beans, cheesy polenta
Chocolate- coconut sorbet, cocoa nibs, Central Otago cherries

• NV Louis Roederer Champagne Collection 243 91 Points

  France, Champagne

  Very young and steely. Superb bead, and intense minerality and focus. Classy drop that might just need a year or so to open up.91+

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• 2021 Xarmant Arabako Txakolina 91 Points

  Spain, País Vasco, Arabako Txakolina

  Totally consistent with other notes - dry and mineral, with beautiful fruit weight, and real depth of palate nuance. There is a superb tensile strength to this wine, and the melony ripeness, allied with the mineral expression makes for a delicious wine at the dinner table.

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• 2013 Te Mata Estate Syrah Bullnose 91 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Refined and vividly varietal. Black pepper, dry and focused blackberry. Quite mineral. Tannic and acid structure point to this wine wanting a little more
  Time to become totally expressive, but the refinement is impressive. A well made, and typical Hawkes Bay Syrah. This has the stuffing to improve, but it will always have a bright and focused personality. Certainly outstanding.

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• 2017 Grasshopper Rock Pinot Noir Earnscleugh Vineyard 92 Points

  New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Central Otago

  Superb expression of Earnscleugh - spicy, intense, and focused. Powdery tannic backbone. Laser focus. Classic central Otago fruit profile. A super vintage for Grasshopper rock. Ageing well.

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