Regional Expressions The Wines of Auckland and Northland SPRING 2010
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Regional fare
EXPRESSIONS OF AUCKLAND – WINE A selection by Danny Schuster (DS) and John Hawkesby (JH).
South Auckland PURIRI HILLS – CLEVEDON
2006 ‘Reserve’ Merlot/Carmenere/ Cab F. JH: Dark ruby, mix of cold tea, violets and peppermint, lifted nose, hint of rusticity, sweetness and pepper, gentle soft-ripe tannins, elegant style. DS: Depth in colour, aromatic and complex nose, high vinosity, ample new oak, textured elegant flavour, concentrated in fine grain finish, should age. 2004 ‘Reserve’ Merlot/Cab/Cab F./ Malbec/Carmenere JH: Aromatic, cinnamon, fresh mint and truffle nose with red fruits, gamey/ spicy complexity, balanced, well crafted structure, maturity in soft tannic finish. Lovely and complete wine. DS: Complex Merlot plum/spice, full bouquet with cassis and finesse of new oak, well integrated flavour and ample fine grain tannins in long finish. Has class.
Waiheke Island MAN ‘O WAR VINEYARDS
2008 ‘Dreadnought’ Syrah JH: Violets, pepper, red fruits nose, enticing and promising. Interesting, evocative flavours, layers of complexity of pepper, menthol and red berries, lovely balance, well rounded tannins. Very good wine. DS: Deep colour, robust-full nose, high vinosity, ripe even slightly jammy fruit, vanillin oak with sweet notes in undeveloped flavour, firm finish. Needs time but should make good bottles. 2008 ‘Ironclad’ Merlot/Cab F./Malbec/ P.V./Cab S. JH: Fine nose, dark fruits/marzipan and liquorice, lifted palate, little
closed and less expressive than the nose, could develop with time. DS: Well coloured, depth and vinosity coupled with generous fruit, complex with tobacco hints in textured flavour, hint of opulence in tannic, undeveloped finish, firm – needs time. STONYRIDGE VINEYARD
2008 ‘Pilgrim’ Syrah/ Mourvedre/Grenache JH: Complex nose, mellow mint, liquorice, cigar-box with leather and hint of truffle. Balanced, integrated not a bigbruising, screaming beast but has grip, nice tannic structure with elegance. A class act. DS: Deep colour, full bouquet with high vinosity and complex aromas of red fruits/spice and forest floor hints, floral notes in generous flavour, long – fine tannic finish, still some time to go. 2008 ‘Larose’ Cab/Cab F./ Mer/Malbec/P.V. JH: Poised, complex spectrum of fruit, full bouquet, velvet smooth, nice rounded tannins, lovely mouthfeel, needs time in firm finish. DS: Deep colour, generouseven opulent fruit, high vinosity with hints of cedar/cassis complexity, ample tannins in well-balanced flavour and a long finish. Very ripe, robust vintage to age. DESTINY BAY VINEYARDS
2006 ‘Destinae’ Cab/Mer/Cab F./ Malbec JH: Lovely, complex nose, a little or onedimensional structure, gentle/balanced but
lacking a bit of body in soft finish. Easy drinking style. DS: Well coloured, classical claret nose of cassis/cedar/tobacco, gamey/spicy hints, balanced-supple structure, lifted/aromatic finish. Stylish wine, lots of charm. 2006 ‘Mystae’ Cab/Mer/Cab F./ Malbec JH: Dark fruits, complex nose, high vinosity, finesse in smooth tannic flavour, lovely finish. Needs time, lots of potential. DS: Deep colour, ripe/full and complex nose, red fruits (Cab) and gamey/spice (Cab f.) obvious, ample new oak well integrated with a classical/elegant flavour, seamless fine tannins in long finish. Balanced to age into fine wine. KENNEDY POINT VINEYARD
2006 ‘Reserve’ Syrah JH: Deep red, big-ripe nose with pepper and seductive ‘earthy’ notes, big, bold and beautiful, smart wine with perhaps too much of the pepper coming through, lovely mouthfeel, classy. DS: Deep ruby, full-robust nose, developing complexity with dark fruits, spice, pepper, ample weight in tannic finish. Perhaps lacks a little finesse but has big heart.
West Auckland KUMEU RIVER
2008 ‘Mate’s Vineyard’ Chardonnay JH: Bouquet of stone-fruit and citrus, lovely acid balance with fruit, whisper of oak, not too strident, very drinkable. DS: Pale straw, bright, high vinosity, complex with ripe fruit and well integrated oak, finesse in layered flavours with focus in a long finish. Classical Chardonnay.
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Expressions of North Auckland - Wine
Regional fare
3
A selection by Danny Schuster (DS) and John Hawkesby (JH).
Bay of Islands MARSDEN ESTATE
2007 ‘Black Rocks’ Chardonnay JH: Straw, bright colour, full bouquet with hints of peanut butter complexity and a menthol note, mature flavours, touch sweet; moderate weight in dry finish. DS: Pale gold, bright, full-toasty bouquet with lees ageing complexity, developed flavours, complex in dry finish in a robust style.
The Far North WAITAPU ESTATE – AHIPARA
2008 ‘Reef Point’ Pinotage JH: Dark ruby, mulberry, ripe with stalk hints, earthy notes, sweet/plummy flavours, supple & balanced. Quite pleasant even if not my style. DS: Bright ruby, fresh red fruits, youthful – supple flavours, simple tannic structure, lifted – aromatic finish, fine summer wine.
2007 ‘Reef Point’ Pinotage JH: Well coloured, full nose with blackberry-nip/mushroom notes, blackcurrant/liquorice flavours, pleasant finish, like the extra age. DS: Deep colour, high vinosity-full bouquet, complex with forest floor notes, red berry/spice flavours, concentrated-long finish, old fashioned but very good style. KARIKARI ESTATE – KARIKARI PENINSULA
2009 ‘Wild’ Chardonnay JH: Pale straw, flinty-soft bouquet, hints of lanolin, not strident. Light body, modest concentration and fruit, austere style. DS: Pale & bright, fresh bouquet, lees character with integrated oak, medium weight, soft flavoured, flinty in long, dry finish.
2007 Pinotage JH: Deep colour, closed-full bouquet, undeveloped flavour that may surprise with time, quite good weight and restrained acidity in finish. Needs time. DS: Bright ruby, full-toasty bouquet with red fruits/spice, soft tannic structure, plum flavoured in supple finish. Elegant, youthful. 2007 ‘Toa’ JH: Nice perfume, deep/rich fruit, ripe flavours with blackberry notes, balanced in ripe, tannic finish, drinks well but will age. DS: Well coloured, ripe red berry/ cassis/tobacco nose, complex, integrated oak, Bordeaux like blend of Cabernet, Merlot et al in flavour, undeveloped but well balanced and lifted in fine finish. Fine claret style, keep 3-4 years.
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