F.A.W.C! The Magic of Bordeaux Blends at 30 Years of Age…

Geoff Kelly's Library Tastings have become well-known in other parts of the country over the last 20 years and will once again be bringing his passion and expertise to Summer F.A.W.C!

Geoff has been studying wine for more than 50 years, and having been a senior industry judge for 35 years means he has plenty of knowledge to share.

In this first tasting presented by Hawke's Bay’s Nick Stewart and Wellingtonian Geoff Kelly, we will have eight highly-regarded (but not the most expensive) 1989 Bordeaux classed growths set against four of New Zealand's best 1989 cabernet/merlot blends. One of the Bordeaux is from Pomerol, so merlot-dominant. The New Zealand wines will be the top two Waiheke Island cabernet/merlots of the time, and two of Hawke's Bay’s best. Vintage conditions were favourable in all three locations. A tasting like this is rare now, in New Zealand, and will be full of interest.

There will be twelve wines, presented blind, with 30 ml pours.
Glasses will be Schott-Zwiesel XL5s.

The exact wine-list cannot be guaranteed, due to unpredictable variables such as TCA. Instead there are reserve wines, so you will receive twelve wines – but maybe not a hoped-for one.

The wines will be:
France:
1989 Château Beychevelle, Saint-Julien
1989 Château Brane-Cantenac, Margaux
1989 Château Gruaud Larose, Saint-Julien
1989 Château La Fleur-Pétrus, Pomerol
1989 Château Pichon Longueville Comtesse de Lalande, Pauillac
1989 Château Pichon-Longueville Baron, Pauillac
1989 Château Prieuré-Lichine, Margaux
1989 Grand-Puy-Lacoste, Pauillac
New Zealand:
1989 Te Mata Estate Coleraine, Havelock Hills, Hawke's Bay
1989 Esk Valley Cabernet / Merlot Reserve, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay
1989 Goldwater Cabernet / Merlot / Franc, Waiheke Island
1989 Stonyridge Vineyard Larose, Waiheke Island

Brimming with exquisite fresh produce and world-class food and wine, it’s clear to see why Hawke’s Bay is hailed as an epicurean’s dream destination. It’s a tough job knowing where to start, so that’s why we created F.A.W.C! Food and Wine Classic – your one-stop culinary festival that brings together the best on offer from across the region. With 70+ events set in stunning locations over 10 glorious days, Summer F.A.W.C! is proving life doesn’t get better than this.

Make the most of your F.A.W.C! experience by getting someone else to take care of the driving. Find out your options on the Transport page of the F.A.W.C! website.