Tohu Marlborough Chardonnay 2011 13%
Oak-free example
N: Youthful aromas; citrus and apple with bosc pear and wet stone. Lemon and grapefruit, crisp apple and a touch of white flower and stone fruit.
P: Reflects the nose with citrus flavours dominating especially the grapefruit followed by a crisp apple, Medium+ acidity and wet stone.
There is a moderate length and finish, well balanced and well made.
For me this is an aperitif style, but will also work well with bright, crisp, fresh and crunchy appetizers and starters.
3 Stars
Wednesday, 18 January 2012
Man O' War
Man O' War 'Tulia' Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2009
100% Chardonnay, 6 gpl RS, Golden and deepening yellow hues, persistent and fine to moderate bead
N:Generous and welcoming bouquet - a mix of autolysis and orchard fruits - a flourish of harmony, the familiarity of something possibly French and the promise of something different.
P: Absolutely delicious! I mean it - individual and harmonious. Reminds me a little of a generous and plush Cremant d'Alsace, but has additional signature of stone fruits and yeasty development. The flavours remind me of buttered brioche, just from the oven baked bread, sweet citrus and perhaps a hint of mushroom.
The mousse is soft and generous with a gentle unveiling, acidity Medium+ and length the same. The Mendoza clone of Chardonnay makes a statement on the palate (stone fruit) giving the wine its fruity edge.
Balanced and well made, finishing just dry.
4.5 Stars
P.S. I tasted the wine again with dinner and discovered that the wine is much better on its own and if paired with food should be light to moderate in weight and preferably seafood oriented. Avoid pairing with smoked ingredients as this will make the wine take on aged characters that are not actually present.
100% Chardonnay, 6 gpl RS, Golden and deepening yellow hues, persistent and fine to moderate bead
N:Generous and welcoming bouquet - a mix of autolysis and orchard fruits - a flourish of harmony, the familiarity of something possibly French and the promise of something different.
P: Absolutely delicious! I mean it - individual and harmonious. Reminds me a little of a generous and plush Cremant d'Alsace, but has additional signature of stone fruits and yeasty development. The flavours remind me of buttered brioche, just from the oven baked bread, sweet citrus and perhaps a hint of mushroom.
The mousse is soft and generous with a gentle unveiling, acidity Medium+ and length the same. The Mendoza clone of Chardonnay makes a statement on the palate (stone fruit) giving the wine its fruity edge.
Balanced and well made, finishing just dry.
4.5 Stars
P.S. I tasted the wine again with dinner and discovered that the wine is much better on its own and if paired with food should be light to moderate in weight and preferably seafood oriented. Avoid pairing with smoked ingredients as this will make the wine take on aged characters that are not actually present.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
Wednesday, 11 January 2012
Tohu
Tohu Limited Release 'Raiha' Reserve Noble Riesling 2011 11.5%
Nose and Palate: Sweet lemon and lime sherbet and icing sugar in edge.On the palate 7 - 10 in sweetness level, with high acidity bringing balance to the wine, medium+ length, honeyed.
Balanced and delicious!
4 Stars
Nose and Palate: Sweet lemon and lime sherbet and icing sugar in edge.On the palate 7 - 10 in sweetness level, with high acidity bringing balance to the wine, medium+ length, honeyed.
Balanced and delicious!
4 Stars
Monday, 9 January 2012
Matua Valley
Matua Valley Matheson Vineyard Merlot Hawke's Bay 2009 14%
N: Big, bold and spicy with dark Doris and Damson plum, blackberry and a palate load of wood spice and brown baking spice suggestions. A moderate complexity and very youthful bouquet.
P: Dry, yet very fruity and very flavorful, the blend of fruits and mix of wood and fruit tannins and medium+ acidity work well and show harmony that will continue to integrate and improve in the next two years. Moderate complexity with a long – yet dry finish. Very Good!
5 Stars
N: Big, bold and spicy with dark Doris and Damson plum, blackberry and a palate load of wood spice and brown baking spice suggestions. A moderate complexity and very youthful bouquet.
P: Dry, yet very fruity and very flavorful, the blend of fruits and mix of wood and fruit tannins and medium+ acidity work well and show harmony that will continue to integrate and improve in the next two years. Moderate complexity with a long – yet dry finish. Very Good!
5 Stars
Spy Valley
Spy Valley Merlot Malbec 2010 Marlborough 14.5%
N: Plummy and wild (Merlot then Malbec) fruity, forward, ripe and richly aromatic; darker berries, freshly tilled soil then a gentle knock on the door with a little oak.
P: Dry and fruity – plum and wild with red berries; with plenty of tannins to chew through along with medium+ acidity as well. while various oak flavour in this expression – the power underpinning the fruit masks the impact of the oak – this is a good thing for such a young wine. A sound choice to accompany a steak (MR) or chicken and vegetable casserole with a mushroom cream sauce.
Overall a balanced and well-made wine, as stated above quite fruity, overall good.
3 Stars
N: Plummy and wild (Merlot then Malbec) fruity, forward, ripe and richly aromatic; darker berries, freshly tilled soil then a gentle knock on the door with a little oak.
P: Dry and fruity – plum and wild with red berries; with plenty of tannins to chew through along with medium+ acidity as well. while various oak flavour in this expression – the power underpinning the fruit masks the impact of the oak – this is a good thing for such a young wine. A sound choice to accompany a steak (MR) or chicken and vegetable casserole with a mushroom cream sauce.
Overall a balanced and well-made wine, as stated above quite fruity, overall good.
3 Stars
Kidnapper Cliffs
Kidnapper Cliffs "Solan" (Sauvignon Blanc and Semillon) 2010 Hawke's Bay 13%
N: Lovely expression of fruit and 'terroir': lemon, a hint of lime and grapefruit with a warm peach edge, a steely note adds sharpness and clarity to the bouquet and a stony note adds mineral suggestion.
P: Refreshing and tight with a powerful citrus and high acid palate – tempered by the fruit of the Semillon adding a tropical/pineapple/apple edge. Salivating and juicy with a strong soil flavour under current, light on complexity but heavy on flavour, solid impact on the palate, medium+ length.
4 Stars
N: Lovely expression of fruit and 'terroir': lemon, a hint of lime and grapefruit with a warm peach edge, a steely note adds sharpness and clarity to the bouquet and a stony note adds mineral suggestion.
P: Refreshing and tight with a powerful citrus and high acid palate – tempered by the fruit of the Semillon adding a tropical/pineapple/apple edge. Salivating and juicy with a strong soil flavour under current, light on complexity but heavy on flavour, solid impact on the palate, medium+ length.
4 Stars
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