Larose Cabernet Sauvignon Blend

Wow. A relic from my trip to Waiheke in ‘08, it’s holding up remarkably well. Spot on Bordeaux-like character with hints of bell pepper and graphite to go along with seamless tannin and racy acidity. The fruit character is still bright and sings with cranberry, cherry and red cassis in perfect harmony with the structure of the wine. Glad I waited and glad I have another bottle!

8 hour double decant needed! Magnificent offering from an unexpected region.

A rarity as far as availability as well as style from New Zealand. You won’t find many producers growing Bordeaux varietals. Stonyridge’s Stephen White has been doing it since 1985, with his 1987 Larose considered by some as the best red ever from New Zealand. The 2004 Larose is a very Left Bank inspired wine... plum, graphite, limestone, funky dirt, tomato leaf, tobacco, coffee and dark chocolate, with an authentic feel.

2002 Stonyridge 'Larose' #Cabernet #Malbec Blend, #WaihekeIsland, #NZWine. Intense $200 bottle. Still a baby. Notes of dried black cherry, dark plum and cassis plus graphite, forest floor, baking spice and a whiff of eucalyptus. Velvet glove finish that goes on and on...#wine #sommelier

Phenomenal Bordeaux blend, violet, jasmine, plush ripe dark fruit, cassis, silky integrated tannins, sun dried tomato, oregano

Not as good as we remembered. Fine with steak, but this was insanely good when we were in NZ.

Medium deep garnet ruby , garnet rim . Quite spicy , herbal nose , with a touch of coffee and , cassis and some dark cherry , cedar, and a meaty note . Quite a lot of summer fruits with tobacco on the palate , this is quite fresh on the entry with slightly piquant acidity , some rather gritty , dry tannins . Ok tobacco tinged finish, touch of bitterness also creeping in . This is not the best of this wine in this vintage , have had much better . A bit compressed, pinched and rustic . The cork was awful, broke into a thousand pieces, some signs of seepage also . This is probably best drunk now and over the next few years based on this bottle . There are much better bottles out there, don’t feel this is representative.

Medium ruby wider garnet rim . More herbal and summer pudding fruit , but lighter body and more simple fruit , higher acidity , softer tannins. Touch of tar, rubber note . Lacks a bit of body, quite short on the palate , drink now and over the next 5 years. Tasted 08/09/2022

Medium ruby, wider more garnet rim . Dark and more dusty , more mineral , iron filing. Again lighter redder fruit , lighter body, less body of fruit in the mouth , slightly shorter on the palate also . Drink now and over the next 5 years. .

Medium ruby , wider garnet , ruby rim . Touch of coffee at first , then more of the tobacco , more red fruit , higher acidity and more fine tannins . Prettier fruit and better balance than both 2008 and 2007, good acidity and fine still quite present tannins . More mineral , and commendable length . More complex also , well balanced . Wine of the night. For now and the next 10 years . Tasted 08/09/2022