In Jewish texts, Samael is better known as the 'Angel of Death.' It is believed that Samael is both good and evil in that he does the work of God but desires man to do evil. Samael is viewed as a seducer as was first spoken of in the Talmud as assuming the role of the serpent and tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden. The correlation here is that Montepulciano can be a very alluring and seductive grape that lends itself to pleasurable drinking. That said, often time Montepulciano is simple, thin and insipid. In many ways it offers both the good and bad of wine.

Few champagne houses remain in family hands. The impressively-pedigreed Pol Roger is one of them. Residing in the heart of Epernay with cellars running below the Avenue de Champagne for over seven kilometres, they are highly-skilled vinous alchemists in possession of an exquisite collection of wines. Not one of the region's show ponies, Pol nonetheless lead the charge from the front.

Intense red with purple hues. Intense youthful fresh ripe berry fruit flavours with some well integrated vanillin oak. Full bodied dense ripe berry fruit flavours balanced with vanillin oak but yet long and smooth. Serve with a red wine casserole or a juicy steak with red onion jam. This wine has the flavour, structure and balance to be enjoyed now or offers added satisfaction from further cellaring.

The grapes were picked at between 13.5 to 14.0 Baume to produce the fruit flavours that are required to make this great wine. The grapes were fermented in a mixture of vessels to produce as much colour and flavour as possible. Portion of the wine underwent oak during fermentation and once dry, the remaining went to oak until the right balance was achieved. Careful tasting and blending, by Quarisa's winemaker, help produce this wine of style and great value for money.

Ruby-red in colour accompanied by notes of raspberry and spice. Rich and elegant on the palate with ripe plum, cherry and cinnamon. Medium bodied with velvet tannins integrated acidity and a long finish. Very good ageing potential.

Rabbit Ranch Pinot Gris, being a mutation of Pinot Noir, revels in the Central Otago conditions that suit Pinot Noir so beautifully - a long slow ripening period is desirable, with cool nights and warm days as the Autumn harvest approaches. The Rabbit Ranch Pinot Gris has a mineral acidity backbone and an off dry finish that gives the wine a delicious structure and refreshing style.

Land that was once a high country sheep station is now a flourishing vineyard. Sheep and rabbits co-existed on the land for quite some time but the sheep couldn't keep up with the nocturnal activity of the rabbits, and in the end were driven off the land. Rabbits now run free on the vineyard and fuelled by high altitude Pinot Noir, some are reputed to be the size of ponies, but that's another story... The Rabbit Ranch Pinot Noir is made in a very soft, fruit forward, low tannin style - a wine to be savoured and supped, rather than an assault on the senses.

Summer in a glass, dry Provençal style - crushed berries over alpine flower & citrus sorbet. Made from 100% Central Otago Pinot Noir fruit, lightly pressed to extract just enough colour to deliver the provencal-esque pale pink. Fermented dry to allow the delicate Pinot red fruit characters and cool climate minerality to hop across your palate.

Rapaura Springs Reserve wines are expertly crafted from selected vineyards with impressive flavour concentration and palate weight. Reserve wines define their region. Lovely ripe berry and dark cherry fruit notes combined with attractive smoky and spicy elements. Fleshy berry fruits and spicy oak nuances are to the fore on the full, rich palate.

Rapaura Springs Reserve wines are expertly crafted from selected vineyards with impressive flavour concentration and palate weight. Reserve wines define their region. Aromas of nectarine and apricot are underscored by an attractive honeysuckle note. This Reserve Pinot Gris is soft and textural, with delicious Pear, Nashi apple and Nectarine flavours which linger through to a crisp, refreshing finish.

Rapaura Springs Reserve wines are expertly crafted from selected vineyards with impressive flavour concentration and palate weight. Reserve wines define their region. A lovely, bright, pink colour with lifted aromas of raspberry, watermelon and florals. Layers of ripe berry fruit flavours are complemented by a full, rich palate.

A medium-bodied, not-too-dry, juicy, red wine with sweet plum, red currant, graham cracker and liquorice.