WINTER 2010
Regional Expressions The Wines of Nelson, Marlborough and Canterbury
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Regional fare
Photo: Sarah Habershon
Neudorf 30th vintage team.
Expressions of Nelson – wine
A pioneer producer of medium size, well known for well priced, regionspecific wines both white and red. Notable for fine quality rieslings and other aromatic whites.
A selection by Danny Schuster (DS) and John Hawkesby (JH).
Neudorf Vineyard A well established small producer of superb, terroir specific wines with great balance and focus. Estate grapes show the purity of an organic, biodynamic approach to viticulture and the hands-off cellar regime. judy@neudorf.co.nz
2009 Sauvignon Blanc JH: Restrained, elegant style. Lovely balance, fine acidity in a long, dry finish with mineral hints. DS: Fresh bouquet with a focus in layered aromas backed by minerality, balanced acidity and long, dry finish. Medium weight and finesse – for seafood. 2008 Chardonnay JH: Full complex bouquet of stonefruit and lanolin with high vinosity. Nutty, classical use of oak. Generous flavours with a fine balance of fruit and oak leading to a glorious finish. DS: Full bouquet, ripe
Weingut Seifried
pear, melon and stonefruit aromas with complex integrated lees and oak flavour. A combination of power and finesse in a long finish – set to be a great wine with time. 2009 Moutere Pinot Gris JH: Supple stone and citrus fruits, a little closed. Soft flavours in a dry finish. DS: Full bouquet, stonefruit and fresh lime. High vinosity with a youthful undeveloped flavour. Fine texture in a balanced finish. 2008 Moutere Pinot Noir JH: Classical game, spice and cold tea nose, concentrated velvety flavours. Elegant well balanced tannic finish with hints of forest floor, great length. Brilliant. DS: Well coloured, high vinosity, ripe fruit with depth, complexity and layers of flavour. Gamey hints in a fine grain tannic finish. Will age well.
2009 Sauvignon Blanc JH: Pungent, big nose of cut grass, citrus and armpit hints. Supple fruit, simple structure with a short finish. DS: Full-on sauvignon blanc, traditional NZ style. Ample flavour, but a little short in the finish. 2009 Gewurztraminer JH: Aromatic bouquet of lavender and turkish delight. Soft structured, spicy flavour. Light body and luscious sweetness in a medium-sweet finish. DS: Full bouquet, lifted aromas. Floral/ tropical spice and herb-like spice flavour. Soft acidity, sweetish finish. 2009 ‘Agnes’ Icewine, Winemaker’s Collection JH: Full bouquet of candied fruits and sweet almonds. Rich flavour of fruit cake, raisins and marzipan. Good length with balanced acidity in a sweet finish. DS: Full intense bouquet with an exotic mix of candied citrus, spices, almonds and raisins. Luscious texture with fine acidity in a youthful finish.
Regional fare
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Expressions of Marlborough – wine A selection by Danny Schuster (DS) and John Hawkesby (JH).
Fromm Estate Well-established small producer with top-class vineyards employing a traditional, hands-off approach to winemaking and producing vineyardspecific wines.
2005 ‘Clayvin Vineyard’ Chardonnay JH: Stone fruit/citrus, fine oak, Burgundian structure. Minerality in a developed sophisticated style with superb balance in a long finish. DS: Complex developed bouquet, high vinosity, ripe stonefruit in a classical style. Fine acidity in a long, dry finish. 2006 ‘Fromm Vineyard’ Syrah JH: Deep colour, sweet aniseed, brambles and black plum flavours with hints of pepper. DS: Generous, full bouquet with dark berry fruits and herb-like spices. Fully integrated fruit and oak with fine grain tannins in an aromatic finish. Elegant style. 2007 ‘Brancott Valley Vineyard’ Pinot Noir JH: Aromatic bouquet, mulberry and cherry aromas with moderate vinosity and subtle, understated flavours in a soft finish. DS: Ripe, full bouquet, red fruit flavours with hints of forest floor. Fine grained tannins, soft textured with length in an undeveloped finish. 2007 ‘Clayvin Vineyard’ Pinot Noir JH: Ripe dark fruits with truffle, gamey/spicey notes. Lovely acid balance and firm structure with earthy hints in a firm finish. DS: Full, complex bouquet, high vinosity, depth in generous flavour. Ample tannins in a balanced long finish.
Seresin Wines A small- to mid-sized vineyard. First vintage was in 1996. Wines are produced using traditional winemaking techniques from organically and biodynamically grown grapes.
2009 Sauvignon Blanc JH: Big typical Marlborough sauvignon with an earthy point of difference. Tending dry, the dash of semillon adds a layer of subtlety and mineral texture. Big, sassy but not overbearing, gentle oak complexity. 2007 ‘Reserve’ Chardonnay JH: Superb wine, lovely acid/fruit balance and a wonderful underbelly of minerality. Judicious oak, Burgundian in style, elegant, sophisticated; quite outstanding. 2007 ‘Rachael’ Pinot Noir JH: Mid-range pinot, elegant nose of dried herbs, cold tea and berry fruit with a touch of truffle and earth. Balanced with purity of fruit and subtly restrained, engaging and sophisticated. Very smart buying.
Allan Scott Winery Medium-sized producer of modern style, cool climate wines. Well known for white wines but, of late, developing a reputation for fine pinot noir.
2009 Moorlands Sauvignon Blanc JH: Lemon and cut grass aroma with hint of minerality and arm-pit complexity. Soft flavoured in a sweetish finish. DS: Fresh, youthful with typical Marlborough aromas and balanced with an off-dry finish. 2008 ‘Hounds’ Pinot Noir JH: Ample cherry, spicy and licorice nose. Well balanced, supple flavours with earthy hints in a soft finish. DS: Bright ruby colour and full bouquet with aromatic quality. Supple textured flavour with slight green edge, moderate length and fine grained tannic finish. Well made.
Wither Hills Winery A well-known and widely distributed larger producer of focused, regionspecific wines, drawing fruit from many diverse terroirs in Marlborough.
2008 ‘Cellar Release’ Riesling JH: Lifted aromas of lime/citrus/candy. Fresh bouquet, light, simple flavours and off-dry finish. Aperitif style. DS: Fresh, youthful bouquet, hints of lime and lees age. Simply structured in a medium style and soft finish. 2009 ‘Wairau Valley’ Sauvignon Blanc JH: Typical fresh-cut grass aroma. Softly textured, herby tropical flavours and spices in finish. A distinctive style for sauvignon drinkers. DS: Moderate vinosity, lifted nose with tropical fruit notes and generous flavours in a sweetish finish. 2009 ‘Rarangi Vineyard’ Sauvignon Blanc JH: Complexity and depth, stonefruit and minerality in bouquet and riper fruit flavours. A balanced finish with fine acidity. DS: Lifted bouquet with high vinosity, ripe fruit and fresh acidity/minerality flavour and balanced persistent finish. 2008 ‘Wairau Valley’ Pinot Noir JH: Full aromatic bouquet with plums and dried herbs. Cherry and plum flavours balanced, good weight and earthy hints in fine finish. DS: Typical Marlborough pinot structure. Lifted nose with red fruits and gamey/spicy hints. Moderate weight, fresh, balanced flavour and aromatic finish; charming. www.grill.co.nz
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Regional fare
Photos: Sarah Habershon
Expressions of Canterbury – wine A selection by Danny Schuster (DS) and John Hawkesby (JH).
Pegasus Bay Winery A well-established and respected producer of region-specific white and red wines of consistently fine quality. Notable for handsoff winemaking approach and its top-class restaurant.
2008 Bel Canto Dry Riesling JH: Big lemon, lime, complex nose. Textured palate with youthful acidity in long undeveloped finish. Lovely, but needs more time. Try with strong flavoured fish. DS: Full bouquet, complex aromas of stonefruit and lime with hints of citrus peel. Fresh flavour, lees age complexity and ample acidity in a firm finish. Needs time. 2008 Waipara Riesling JH: Big nose, lovely citrus and kerosene hints, medium weight, tending sweet. Nice balance and sleepy acidity in long finish. DS: Fresh aromas, floral, citrus spectrum. Medium weight in balanced com-
mercial flavours and sweetish finish. An easy drinking, popular style. 2008 Sauvignon Blanc/ Semillon JH: Aggressive, cut peastraw, armpit and vinosity. Nice acid backbone of acidity in tropical fruit. Subtle flavours and dry finish. DS: Classical with full bouquet of ripe citrus/melon fruit. Peppery hints in a dry style. Showing lees age complexity in long finish. A top food wine.
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2007 Waipara Pinot Noir JH: Big, lovely nose with aroma of cherries, dark plum and forest floor. Lifted, aromatic flavour and lovely balance of mocha. Smooth tannins and appearance of sweetness in a generous finish. DS: Deep colour and full, concentrated bouquet. High vinosity, toasty oak in youthful flavour. Fine dark red fruit complexity with ample tannins in a firm finish.
Let grill help you The grill Regional Fare features are not intended to cover the full extent of each region’s food and wine resources, but rather give a taste of what each region has to offer. To find extensive coverage of fine foodservice resources in your area and how to access them go to www.grill.co.nz and click on ‘Regional Fare – Market Intelligence’.
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