ACCOLADES
The Pilot by Alpha Domus Hawke's Bay Rosé 2012 - 4 Stars
Bright, light candy-floss pink, lighter on edge. The nose is softly fresh with aromas of strawberry fruit, red florals, redcurrants, minerals and
mouthwatering watermelon notes. Off-dry to taste, lush, savoury strawberry flavours are intermixed with red florals,
revealing a subtle, earthy, herbal underlay. The fruit is juicy and is enlivened by slippery, lacy acidity, and
supported by a fine, soft-textured tannin thread. The acidity carries the flavours to a moderately long finish with strawberry and confectionary nuances. This is an attractively juicy, off-dry rosé with lush strawberry, earth and herb flavours. Match with dim sum and tapas over the next 2 years. 100% Merlot from a single Bridge Pa Triangle vineyard, given 6 hours skin contact and cool fermented to 12.5%
alc. and 4.0 g/L rs. 17.0+/20 Dec 2012 RRP $21.95.
Alpha Domus scores at 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards
The results of the 2012 Decanter World Wine Awards are out, and we're proud to announce that Alpha Domus has been awarded three medals at the prestigious international competition.
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View the full list of trophy and medal winners from 2012 and previous years.
eRobertParker.com reviews Alpha Domus wines
2009 Alpha Domus The Aviator A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Ratings: 90+
Drink 2011 - 2018
Comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (37%), Merlot (27%), Malbec (18%) and Cabernet Franc (18%), the 2009 The Aviator was matured 16 months in 100% French oak barrels, 75% new. Deep garnet-purple in color, it's intensity scented of warm black currant and black cherry preserves with hints of cedar, grilled bread, spice box and tobacco. Medium-full bodied and generously fruited in the mouth, it has a firm level of chewy tannins, up-lifting acidity and a long finish with the oak jutting out a bit. Give this one another year for the oak to marry and drink it to 2018+.
2010 Alpha Domus The Barnstormer Syrah A Syrah Dry Red Table wine from
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Rating: 88
Drink 2011 - 2015
The 2010 The Barnstormer Syrah displays a deep garnet-purple color and aromas of warm cassis and blackberry preserves and hints of mulberries, black pepper, anise and dark chocolate. Medium bodied with a low to medium level of chewy tannins, it offers a decent concentration of youthful berry and black pepper flavors, finishing with good persistence. Approachable now, it should cellar to 2015+.
2007 Alpha Domus The Navigator A Proprietary Blend Dry Red Table wine from
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Rating: 89
Drink 2011 - 2015
Blended of 45% Merlot, 28% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Cabernet Franc and 7% Malbec, the 2077 The Navigator was matured for 20 months in mainly French oak barrels, 30% new. Deep garnet colored, it gives notes of creme de cassis and plum compote with nuances of sandalwood, cloves and spice cake. Medium-full bodied, it has a solid structure of crisp acid and medium-firm chewy tannins fleshed-out by just enough fruit. It finishes with good persistence. Drinking nicely now, it should cellar to 2015+.
2010 Alpha Domus Barrique Fermented Chardonnay A Chardonnay Dry White Table wine from
Hawke's Bay, New Zealand
Rating: 90
Drink 2011 - 2015
The 2010 Barrique Fermented Chardonnay gives a good intensity of warm peach and apple tart aromas with an undercurrent of crushed digestive biscuits, butterscotch and ginger. Full bodied with a creamy texture, it has a nice backbone of very crisp acidity countering the richness. It finishes with very good persistence of honey-nut and stone fruit flavors. Drinking now, it should keep to 2015+.
7 from 7 for AD at Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards
Up against 350 local wines at the recent judging for the 2011 Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards, all seven of Alpha Domus's entries have won medals, including three gold and one silver. Gold medals were awarded for the 2010 Alpha Domus The Barnstormer Syrah, the 2010 Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier and the 2011 AD Noble Selection. The 2011 The Pilot Rosé won a silver medal. All three of the winery's gold medal-winning wines are now in the running for trophies, which will be announced at An Evening of Recognition & Elegance, the formal dinner and awards ceremony on Tuesday 18 October at Hastings' Waikoko Gardens.Managing Director, Paul Ham comments that, "Alpha Domus is coming of age with our continued dedication to quality paying off. In these challenging times there is only one way forward and that is to have a single-minded focus on quality. Our whole team is working toward this, and having the winery situated on the vineyard site means we are well placed to work together to achieve the best possible results."
Yvonne Lorkin Rates New Releases
Wine writer Yvonne Lorkin recently enjoyed a vertical tasting of 6 past vintages of AD The Aviator, and gave the newly-released AD The Aviator 2009 five stars. "It is warming, velvety and long on flavour; it has personality, character and weight that'll carry it through decades to come. Buy now or forever kick yourself." Terrific advice, we agree!
She's also given the 2010 Barnstormer Syrah 4 stars, which compounds very nicely with its recent gold medal at the Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards.
Raymond Chan's Excellent Reviews
Raymond Chan also has some wonderfully positive things to say about the recent vertical tasting of The Aviator.
Check out his detailed impressions of all vintages of our Flagship red at his website here.
AD The Aviator Cuisine Award
Alpha Domus AD The Aviator 2009 has just been awarded 4.5 Stars in Cuisine magazine.
The judges said... "A wine at the more savoury end of cabernet, combining green olive, pepper, blackcurrent, lead pencil and gently sweet oak aromas. Slightly lighter than the biggest 09 Hawkes Bay cabernets, it carries its fruit well in a supple, silky style of excellent lenght."The Aviator is "Wine of the Week"!
Our 2007 The Aviator has been named "Wine of the Week" on Sue Courtney's webzine for food and wine lovers. The site covers wine, food, books, news and reviews, with an emphasis on New Zealand. Visit the website to find out more.
Sue is an Auckland-based writer who loves writing about wine, food and her experiences. Her 'webzine' reaches all wine and food lovers who like to cruise the cyber highway - anywhere in the world. As she says, "The cyber-highway goes everywhere and it's the only safe place to drive with a glass of wine in hand!"
Alpha Domus Makes Mathew Jukes Top 60 List for 2010
Acclaimed wine writer Matthew Jukes has named two of our wines in his 60 best New Zealand Wines 2010 - The Pilot Chardonnay 2008 and the Alpha Domus 'The Wingwalker' Viognier 2008.
Matthew Jukes is wine correspondent of the Daily Mail and is read each week by over 9 million readers. He has won The International Wine and Spirit Competition's Trophy for Communicator of the Year, writes best selling wine guides in the UK and Australia, as well as being a wine buyer and internationally respected wine judge.
Each year he publishes his list of 60 best NZ Wines, and also other articles blogs etc. Visit his website for more details.
Air New Zealand Wine Awards - November 2010
The Air New Zealand Wine Awards were announced on 20 November 2010. This is the premier wine competition in New Zealand, with over 1500 entries this year. Alpha Domus were awarded for:
The Pilot Leonarda Late Harvest Semillon 2009 - Silver Medal
The Pilot Merlot Cabernet 2007 - Silver Medal
Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes Wine Awards - October 2010
The Hawke's Bay Mercedes Wine Awards were announced on 19 October, at a glittering event celebrating the 10th anniversary of these unique regional awards.
The Aviatrix 2009 - Silver Medal
Three 5-star rankings for The Aviator 2007
New Zealand's most respected wine writers are unanimous in awarding 5 stars to The Aviator 2007:
A dense, ripe silken-textured blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot and Malbec. Firm tannins are buried in the wine's generously fleshy frame although they emerge with strength on the finish.
93/100
Bob Campbell
A monster blend of cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, merlot and malbec from a screamer of a vintage - 2007 is proving to be a stunner where Hawke's Bay reds are concerned, and this is a great example. Powerfully perfumed, dense and delicious - it's seasonal stuff. Aromas of baked prune, dried figs, cedar and pepper with some espresso and tobacco thrown in for good measure. To drink, it's fleshy and warm with solid fruit, plump, plush tannins and medicinal length of flavour.
5 stars
Yvonne Lorkin, Wine Editor
This has been one of the highly sought-after wines from the Hawke's Bay, and this exceptional 2007 offering is best yet from this boutique producer. The bouquet is classically Bordeaux in style, displaying cassis, dark plum, cigar, spice and cedary oak characters. The palate is superbly concentrated and velvety with excellent mid palate weight and plenty of polished tannins. A gloriously expressed red showing power and richness as well as grace and poise. Made from 36% Cabernet Sauvignon, 27% Cabernet Franc, 23% Merlot and 14% Malbec, the wine was matured in French oak (75% new) for 17 months before bottling. At its best: now to 2018. $50.00 14% Natural cork.
95/100 - 5 stars
Sam Kim, Wine Orbit
Decanter World Wine Awards - 2010
Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier 2008 has received one of only two golds awarded to New Zealand Viogniers in the prestigious Decanter World Wine Awards. Only four Viogniers worldwide have been awarded the top honour, so this accolade recognises The Wingwalker as one of the best Viogniers in the world.
Cuisine Magazine - May 2010
Alpha Domus The Wingwalker Viognier 2008 has been Awarded 4 Stars in Cuisine Magazine of May 2010. Here's what they had to say:
"In this wine the gently caressing, creamy texture that Viognier can do so well is harnessed to deep concentrated fruit that offers a fascinating sweet-cum-funky profile, Jane Boyle enjoyed the 'sophisticated use of oak'. Uncork a bottle with a stir-fry, complete with almonds and noodles."
Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes Wine Awards - October 2009
The Wingwalker Viognier 2008 - Gold Medal and Trophy for Champion Viognier
Mathew Jukes Top 60 List for 2010
Acclaimed wine writer Matthew Jukes has named two of our wines in his 60 best New Zealand Wines 2010 -
Decanter Wine Awards - 2007
Now in it's third year, the Decanter World Wine Awards is a global competition whose aim is to provide credible recommendations for today's wine consumer. The awards reflect regional styles, celebrate diversity, promote value for money and highlight quality. Results were announced at the London International Wine & Spirits Fair - (22-24 May 2007). Alpha Domus was awarded Silver for both The Navigator 2002 & 2004.
Another success for the 2007 Viognier!
A Bronze medal in the Decanter World Wine Awards 2008 - Alpha Domus Viognier 2007
"Fresh clean nectarine and stonefruit aromas. A good weight. Clean, ripe fruit. Fresh and elegant hints of stone fruits such as nectarine and yellow plum. Well made. A good length."
Not 1 But 2 May Cuisine Magazine successes for Alpha Domus
Alpha Domus Viognier 2007 (high 4 star rating)
"From the Bridge Pa Triangle comes a crisp vibrant, citrusy number. A good wine to unwind with – open a bottle with your partner on a Friday evening."
"From the Bridge Pa Triangle comes a crisp vibrant, citrusy number. A good wine to unwind with – open a bottle with your partner on a Friday evening."
Alpha Domus Barrique Fermented Chardonnay 2007 (4 star rating)
"Interesting peaty, biscuity scents (from the barrel influence) introduce a visous, multi-faceted mouthful. Citrus and flinty flavours are buoyed by a creamy texture. Very smart and very Hawke's Bay."
Decanter.Com
The Navigator 2004 ****
"Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island is proving a fabulous source of New World Bordeaux blends. This offering is redolent with fresh cassis aromas with a herbaceous edge and a hint of menthol. The palate is smooth, ripe and generous with substantial weight of fruit and structure. Delicious. Up to 5 years."
"Hawke's Bay on New Zealand's North Island is proving a fabulous source of New World Bordeaux blends. This offering is redolent with fresh cassis aromas with a herbaceous edge and a hint of menthol. The palate is smooth, ripe and generous with substantial weight of fruit and structure. Delicious. Up to 5 years."
Royal Easter Show Awards - March 2007
The Royal Easter Show Wine Awards trophy presentation dinner was held on 24 March. Alpha Domus were awarded for:
Air New Zealand Wine Awards - October 2006
The Air New Zealand Wine Awards 2006 were held in Hawkes Bay on 11 November and marked the 20th year of the national carrier's association with these prestigious awards. Alpha Domus were awarded for:
International Wine Awards - September 2006
The International Wine Challenge is the world's biggest annual wine competition, with thousands of entries, and judges from across the globe. Alpha Domus were awarded for:2005 Noble Selection - Silver
2005 BF Chardonnay - Bronze
2004 AD Chardonnay - Bronze
2004 AD Semillon - Bronze
2006 Rose - Bronze
2002 Aviator - Bronze
2005 BF Chardonnay - Bronze
2004 AD Chardonnay - Bronze
2004 AD Semillon - Bronze
2006 Rose - Bronze
2002 Aviator - Bronze
International Chardonnay Awards - 2006
With its focus on the single varietal Chardonnay, the International Chardonnay Challenge provides a unique opportunity for the promotion of the main wine style of the Gisborne region of New Zealand. Alpha Domus were awarded for:
Trophy For Champion Sweet Wine : 2005 AD Noble Selection
The Liquorland Top 100 competition held recently has awarded our AD Noble Selection a Gold Medal in the sweet wine class and The Trophy for the Champion Sweet Wine.
Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards 2006
Gold Trophy for Champion Sweet Wine: The Pilot Leonarda Late Harvest Semillon 2005
Award Winning Viognier
Our 2005 Viognier won a Trophy at the 2006 Royal Easter Show. The Royal Easter Show is New Zealand's oldest running wine competition - 2006 was the 53rd event and this year there were a record breaking 1343 wines entered from 226 wineries from all over New Zealand. Paul attended the award ceremony where he was presented with the trophy by Timothy Giles from the Herald on Sunday.
