VINTAGE ROUND-UP

Wine columnist and connoisseur DENNIS KNILL shares his wine tasting notes.

Giesen are a family enterprise and powerhouse winemakers with over three decades of winemaking experience. Giesen were also one of the first converts to plant sauvignon blanc in Marlborough the engine room of the New Zealand wine industry. Founded by three brothers Theo, Marcel and Alex in 1981, Giesen have become industry leaders with an uncompromising drive for quality and innovation resulting in highly awarded premium wines that fuel the fire.

Duncan Shouler chief winemaker aims and aspirations is to produce exceptional wines under a variety of brands that wine lovers can drink and enjoy. One of these brands is the Clayvin label setting a high standard of premium wines from Marlborough. The handpicked grapes used to produce chardonnay, pinot noir and syrah come from vines planted 24 years ago in the Southern Valley hills, a cornerstone for Giesen premium wines.

’19 Giesen Clayvin Marlborough pinot noir RRP$57 an easy drinking seriously good full bodied wine. Deep and rich in colour with concentrated depths of flavour that is fresh and pure on the palate. An excellent example of pinot noir from this region.

’19 Giesen Clayvin Marlborough syrah $57 an elegant and aromatic wine that belies the quality with consistency and fruity flavours. Displaying great texture, structure and balance that carries right across the palate. This wine will develop well over time.

’17 Giesen Clayvin Marlborough chardonnay $53 this upfront skilfully crafted wine is fresh, ripe and finely balanced with citrus flavours. Matured in German Fuder oak barrels long enough to give instant appeal and complexity. Plenty of pleasure at this price.