Telmo Rodriguez

Telmo Rodriquez Gaba Do Xil Godello '09


This wine is relatively new into New Zealand. It is from Larouco y Santa Cruz (Ourense), which is part of Valdeorroas in North West Spain. Godello is a native varietal from the region. 'Gaba' means 'bridg'e and 'Xil' means 'river'. The fruit for this wine is grown at around 550 metres on a combination of trellis and bush vine training.


N: A bouquet of granite, stone, rocks followed by aromas of golden kiwifruit and cirtus - simple yet enticing.

P: Dry, crisp and quite flavorful with lemon zest, grape fruit and golden kiwi flavors; medium+ pushing high acidity; firm and longish finish. A great food wine. 3.5 Stars.

Millton

Millton Clos de Ste Anne Naboth's Vineyard Pinot Noir '09
N: Wow and OMG! - the bouquet from this wine will send shivers down your spine (well it did to mine) - what an incredible bouquet! Chambolle Musigny, mushroom, truffle and other perigord; drifting and feminine and sexy.

P: The palate reflects the nose with pristine clarity; soft and generous red fruits, playful yet firm tannins - youthful; dried herb undertones and a soft minerality. This is an amazing wine! - 
97 Points. 

Millton

Millton Te Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc '09 (7 gpl/rs)
N: Give this wine a little time to settle in the glass please - apple fruits emerge in various guises with a spike if fruit/skin/spice. Straight-forward bouquet with a soft floral note to look out for.

P: Just Off-Dry, but to many will seem dry with the Medium+ acidity that quickly envelopes the palate. Flavors if crisp apple, quince and touches of honey. Lovely balance (a hall mark of this producer) with medium+ length 4 Stars.

Millton

Millton Clos de Ste Anne Les Arbres Viognier '09
N: Condrieu thoughts - floral then soil then fruits - baked apples then apricots then flowers (yellow); complexity and panache.

P: Soft and silky textures then a tidal wave of flowers, fruits and generosity; bacon fat, spice, warmth and finish. This is a great wine and will easily last for a decade. 92 Points (5 Stars)

Millton

Millton Riverpoint Vineyard Viognier '10
N: Classic - varietal attributes of intense yellow peach and apricot; emerging yellow flowers, a whisper of bacon fat, baked terracotta soil notes.

P: A plush and central core of stone fruits flavors surrounded by florals especially buttercup and daisy; warm and generous mouth feel overall and balance right on the finish. 89Points (4.5 Stars)

Millton

Millton Clos de Ste Anne Naboth's Vineyard Chardonnay '09
N: Don't let the first aromas fool you - there is a very complex bouquet of white flowers, warm and generous fruits and personality silently waiting your attention; soft stone fruit, hints of golden melon and blonde tobacco; as the wine is swirled and absorbs more oxygen the bouquet unfurls its splendor.

P: Youthful,  primary and complex: Plenty of acidity emphasizes a younger side - yet the stone fruits and delicate tropical note, sweet citrus layers and playful oak (adding structure) suggests to me there is a long and necessary development time for this wine.  The finish moderate just now, but I know it will extend in time. The complexity too is sitting in the shadows of the power and intensity of the fruit and oak. Three to five more years in cellar will prove a sound investment. 94 points (5 Stars +)

Millton

Millton Opou Vineyard Chardonnay '09
N: Figs, peaches, melons; silky oak notes; complex, interesting and inviting.

P: Soft, generous and inspiring. The outer edges of the palate show the acid and structure different from many other chardonnays I have tasted - an electric field of energy that shimmers and draws my attention; cashew flavors from the oak add a delicious and nutty/sweet note; youthful still with medium plus length. 4.5 stars.