Goldwater was founded by Kim Goldwater on Waiheke Island. A pioneer of the Island that has produced a superb concentrated Bordeaux style which rivals the power of many Aussie cab's but with more elegance and finesse than most Aussies of comparable price.

Goldwater Cab merlot retails for around $85 NZD. It has been a favourite for years and although it has never reached the cult statis of its neighbour Stonyridge it has always produced outstanding wine which is a reflection of Kim's dedication to quality.

Goldwaters only negativel may have been it's decision to produce several wines (a Marlborough Sav Blanc, a Marlborough Chardonnay, a Waiheke Merlot -also a stunner, a Waiheke Chardonnay and the Waiheke Cab Sav) which has meant the brand has suffered a little because it has been seen as trying to be a commercial producer as opposed to boutique. Stonyridge on the other hand has only ever produced three wines, with two from Hawkes Bay and one from Waiheke and only after the Brand was established as a Amrket leader.

1994 was a very good vintage for Waiheke with a long intense summer which produced powerful heavy reds with good fruit and rounded but overt tannins.

Colour: Black red with slight thinning at the edges
Nose: strong cedar and plum dominated nose, hints of spiced eucalypt and leather. Raisins also lightly evident.
Palate: Still huge, the palate is well dominated by tannins and acids (almost unenjoyably) after two hours decanting it opened up however , and the fruit and sugars seemed to develope. The finish reminds me a little of drinking scotch -warma nd sweet. The length is unbelievably impressive.
Overall: An excellent wine with little going against it. It needs another 5 years to allow the fruit to develope and come to the fore. 93 points on the Jeremy Scale.

I enjoy Goldwater Sauvignon Blanc. I bought a bunch of the 2001 for $13 US the other day. Never even senn their reds in my neck of the woods.

TCK

If you can get the Goldwater sav blanc you should be able to make a request for the Cab Merlot. Admitantly it is not cheap but it is very very good.

The Dogpoint Sav Blanc is a great sav blanc for the dollars and interestingly is actually the original Cloudy Bay Vineyard. The Goldwaters bought it from Cloudy Bay in 1993.

Thanks for your notes on the '94 Goldwater WI Cab-Merlot, Jeremy. As I've mentioned to you before, I am holding a bottle of the 1995 vintage of this wine. Per your instructions, I am holding until at least 2005.

I recall that this wine cost $65 at Sam's in Chicago in 1999. I imagine it costs more now.

Cheers,

Otis