Black Cottage 2016 Sauvignon Blanc and Rosé, and 2015 Reserve Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Black Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 13-Aug-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright pale straw colour, lighter on the rim. The nose is tightly bound with fresh and youthful aromas of gooseberry and citrus fruits melded with mineral notes, unfolding nuances of fresh herbs and cut grass. The aromatics have intensity and depth. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is fine in concentration with a core of gooseberry fruit entwined with citrus and passionfruit elements, herbs and minerals. The mouthfeel is soft-textured with gently refreshing and lively acidity lifting the fruitiness. The wine has good linearity and fine-textures that carry to a fresh, zesty finish of gooseberries, passionfruit and minerals. This is a finely concentrated, soft-textured, gently fruity Sauvignon Blanc with a good line of gooseberry and passionfruit flavours. Serve with seafood, salads and vegetables over the next 2 years. Fruit from the Wairau, Southern and Awatere Valleys, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 2.6 g/L RS. 17.0/20 Aug 2016 RRP $18.00
• Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2016
  Rose from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 13-Aug-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light pink colour with purple hues, lighter edged. This has a light, fresh and fragrant nose with delicate aromas of strawberries and cranberries along with subtle red floral notes and nuances of fruit pastille confectionary. The aromatics build in penetration and intensity in the glass. Dryish to taste and light-medium bodied, the palate features aromatic strawberry and floral flavours with soft confectionary elements. The mouthfeel is fresh and zesty, with crisp, enlivening acidity. The fruit forms a gently concentrated core and line that carries smoothly with a slippery flow to a lingering, fragrant finish with confectionary nuances. This is a crisp and refreshing dryish rosé with fragrant strawberry and confectionary notes and a flowing line. Serve as an aperitif, with tapas and Asian fare over the next 2 years. Pinot Noir fruit cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.5% alc. and 4.4 g/L RS, the wine aged 8 weeks on lees. 17.0/20 Aug 2016 RRP $18.00
• Black Cottage ‘Reserve’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 10-Aug-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, light ruby-red colour, paler on the rim. The nose is light and tightly bound with fresh and clear aromas of red cherry fruit and dark red florals entwined with subtle thyme herb notes and suggestions of minerals. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegant in proportion, and the flavours of red cherries and thyme herbs light and shy in expression. Lacy acidity enlivens the mouthfeel and adds to the aromatic lift of the fruit, and light, youthfully grainy tannins provide balancing dry textures and grip. The flavours recede as the wine flows to a moderately long, fine-textured, cherryish finish. This is a light, cherry-fruited Pinot Noir with freshness and light, sinewy structure. Match with firm-fleshed seafood, poultry and pasta dishes over the next 3 years. Clones 777, 115, Abel and 667 from Alexandra vineyards, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine matured 10 months in tank and seasoned French oak. 16.5/20 Aug 2016 RRP $25.00