Black Cottage 2018 Rosé and Pinot Gris

07-Sep-2018

Dave Clouston is one of Marlborough’s star winemakers. He has grown his ‘Two Rivers’ brand on the intimate knowledge of the varieties and terroirs planted around the Wairau and Awatere Rivers which has been his stamping ground. The sophisticated Two Rivers wines are supported by the more accessible ‘Black Cottage’ bottlings. Late in December 2015, Dave purchased the well-established ‘Brookby Hill’ vineyard which has given him consistent access to quality fruit. And he just finished building a new winery, named ‘The Wine Studio’ in the Cloudy Bay Business Park, just in time for the 2018 vintage. At this stage, the crush capacity is 500 tonnes, but that is expected to reach 1,200 tonnes for the 2019 vintage. These steps have given Dave greater control and options with fruit and vinification. We can expect the quality of the wines to take another step up. Here, I review the new 2018 Black Cottage Rosé and Pinot Gris. www.blackcottagewines.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2018
Rose from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 07-Sep-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Very pale, candy-floss-peach colour, lighter on the edge. The nose is fresh and thirst-quenching with tightly bound aromas of strawberries, cherries and quince along with subtle mineral elements, unfolding some lifted red florals. The aromatics show good depth. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has flavours of strawberries, cherries and savoury quince, along with soft nutty elements, with brisk, lively acidity refreshing the mouthfeel. The palate is lively with the sweet and savoury flavours forming a firm core and line, and the wine carries to a lingering finish. This is a dry rosé in the southern French style with sweet and savoury fruit on a refreshing and long finish. Serve with antipasto and tapas over the next 2 years. Pinot Noir fruit from the Awatere and Wairau Valleys fermented to 12.5% alc. and 3 g/L RS, the wine aged 8 months on light lees. 17.0+/20 Sep 2018 RRP $18.00
Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018
Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 07-Sep-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light straw-yellow, near colourless on the rim. The nose is light and fresh with restrained aromas of white and yellow stonefruits with a subtle amalgam of florals, honey and mineral, unfolding pear elements. Medium-dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is bright and aromatic with fragrant flavours of white and yellow stonefruits, lifted pear fruit and florals. This unveils suggestions of honeysuckle and minerals. The fruit forms a fine, tight core and line and carries to a ripe, slippery, aromatic finish. This is a fresh, bright and fragrant medium-dry Pinot Gris with stonefruit, pear and floral flavours on a fresh, firm palate. Serve with Asian cuisine over the next 3 years. Pinot Gris fruit from the Awatere and Wairau Valleys, cool-fermented to 13.0% alc. and 8.2 g/L RS, the wine aged 8 weeks in fine lees. 17.5-/20 Sep 2018 RRP $18.00

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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