The 2009 Glazebrook Viognier is 100% barrel fermented matured in 20% new oak. This has a very refined, delineated nose with touches of white flowers, melted butter and jasmine that is pretty, not too blowsy or phenolic. The palate is very well balanced with good acidity; lovely focus with subtle stone fruit, apricot and passion fruit. It has superb poise on the finish with the oak lending a creamy texture and you will not find a better Viognier in Hawkes Bay. Drink now-2013. Few have more experience in Hawkes Bay than Alwyn Corban, who founded Ngatawara Wines in 1981. He is a talented winemaker, but at times I feel the wines try too hard to impress and there is a tendency to use too much oak when I believe that the fruit is ripe enough to stand on its own. Their Glazebrook series of wines is well worth seeking out and can offer great value.Importer: Frederick Wildman and Sons, New York, NY; tel. 1-800-REDWINE; www.frederickwildman.com.

The Glazebrook range is also impressive, in particular the whites: a stunning 2007 Glazebrook Regional Reserve Viognier with almond and white peach on the nose, brilliant poise on the palate, quite taciturn for a Viognier with a focused white peach and beeswax finish. Superb winemaking. The roots of Hawkes Bay’s Ngatarawa lay in the Corbans and Glazebrook families who united in 1981 to become one of the first wine producers in the area. The Glazebrooks sold their share in 1999 and the estate is currently run by cousins: Alwyn and Brian Corban. Their main vineyards are located in the heart of the Bridge Pa triangle, whose sandy-loam soil with gravelly sub-soil was formed by an ancient riverbed. There are four brands within the Ngatarawa portfolio, the Alwyn a selection of the best fruit in exceptional years.Importer, Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700; fax (212) 355-4719

The 2006 Glazebrook Regional Reserve Syrah, sourced from Bridge Pa and Gimblett Gravels has an introspective nose of damson, wild hedgerow and raspberry leaf all with good definition, the palate full-bodied and plush, perhaps a little low in acidity but with a lovely pure black currant, briery and white pepper tinged finish. Feminine and attractive. The roots of Hawkes Bay’s Ngatarawa lay in the Corbans and Glazebrook families who united in 1981 to become one of the first wine producers in the area. The Glazebrooks sold their share in 1999 and the estate is currently run by cousins: Alwyn and Brian Corban. Their main vineyards are located in the heart of the Bridge Pa triangle, whose sandy-loam soil with gravelly sub-soil was formed by an ancient riverbed. There are four brands within the Ngatarawa portfolio, the Alwyn a selection of the best fruit in exceptional years.Importer, Frederick Wildman, New York, NY; tel. (212) 355-0700; fax (212) 355-4719