Borthwick Vineyard’s Summer Releases

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Borthwick Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2013
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 03-Dec-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, pale straw colour, lighter on rim. The bouquet is soft and elegant with subtly interwoven and harmonious aromas of ripe passionfruit and tropical fruits, expressed with clarity and finesse. Dry to taste, softly expressed, sweetly ripe and succulent flavours of passionfruit and gooseberries reveal tropical fruit, citrus and herb detail. The palate is smooth flowing with soft textures and a harmonious mouthfeel with fresh, lacy acidity underlining the palate, leading to a mouthwatering finish. This is an elegant and harmonious Sauvignon Blanc with sweet fruit and freshness. Serve with Asian fare over the next 2 years. Fruit from vines 9-17 y.o., cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.8% alc. and 3.2 g/L RS, the wine aged 5 months on lees with batonnage. 17.5+/20 Dec 2013 RRP $23.95
• Borthwick Wairarapa Chardonnay 2012
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 03-Dec-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  From vines planted in 1997, the fruit WBP and indigeneous yeast fermented in French and American oak to 13.8% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 20% new French oak puncheons with ‘minimal’ MLF. Bright, light, golden-hued straw-yellow colour, lighter on rim. The nose is full and bold with intensely concentrated aromas of ripe citrus fruit infused with MLF butterscotch, unfolding flinty elements. Medium-full bodied, strong flavours of citrus fruit, butterscotch, smoke and gunflint form a concentrated core. The palate features crisp, racy acidity and a fresh, lively mouthfeel, which drives the flow of flavours. Citrus, butter and cream are infused in a refined textural thread that carries the flavours to a long, sustained, light and dry finish. This is a flavoursome Chardonnay with citrus and buttery flavours and a racy, refreshing mouthfeel. Serve with pan-fried seafood and creamy poultry dishes over the next 4+ years. 18.0-/20 Dec 2013 RRP $24.95
• Borthwick Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2011
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 03-Dec-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from vines planted in 2006 and 2007, parcels fermented in tank and old French oak to 14.0% alc. and 4 g/L RS, the wine aged 7 months on lees. Bright, even straw-yellow colour with light golden hues, lighter on edge. This has a light, tight and elegant nose of fresh white and yellow stonefruits unveiling layers of flinty interest and a suggestion of honeysuckle. Dry to taste, the palate is elegant and slender in proportion with tightly bound, light stonefruit flavours. There is some alcohol drive noticeable and the palate flows smoothly on a fine-textured line, enlivened a little by the underlying acidity. Subtle nuances of florals and honeysuckle emerge and lead to a delicate, nutty finish. This is elegant and finely textured, dry Pinot Gris with tightly bound flavours. Serve with seafood and poultry over the next 3+ years. 16.5+/20 Dec 2013 RRP $23.95
• Borthwick Wairarapa Riesling 2011
  Riesling from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 03-Dec-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant light-golden hued straw-yellow colour with some green. The bouquet is firm and intense with complex toasty citrus fruit with nutty oxidative elements, the aromas into their secondary and tertiary development. Off-dry to taste and light-bodied, toast, honey and lime flavours unfold nutty elements. The mouthfeel is dry and near austere, showing a little lifted cream and custard maturity characters. The flavours lead to a dry, textured finish with crisp acid zestiness. This is a light, dry, near austere Riesling with toasty and nutty development. At a peak now, serve as an aperitif over the next 18 months. Fruit from vines, 4-14 y.o., cool-fermented in tank to 11.8% alc. and 6.1 g/L RS. 16.0/20 Dec 2013 RRP $22.95
• Henry’s Hills Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2012
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 03-Dec-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  A Borthwick label for export and now domestic on-premise. Gladstone fruit indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc, the wine seeing limited oak contact and aging in barrel. Light, even ruby-red colour, lighter on edge. The nose is soft and light with aromatic, savoury red berry fruit with lifted red florals, harmoniously intermixed with subtle spice and dried herb nuances. Medium-bodied, light fruit flavours of soft, savoury strawberries are melded with dried herbs and earthy spices. The tannin extraction is modest and softly supple, and along with the soft acidity the palate flows gently to a light vinous finish with a little alcohol warmth showing. This is a soft, light and up-front Pinot Noir with savoury strawberry flavours. Serve with antipasto, salmon or tuna, and poultry over the next 3+ years. 16.0+/20 Dec 2013 RRP $22.50
• Borthwick Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2011
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 03-Dec-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even ruby-red with light garnet hues on rim. The bouquet is soft and moderately intense with harmoniously entwined aromas of red berry fruits, warm earth and spicy oak notes providing interest and detail, building in depth in the glass. Medium-bodied, the palate is lively, vibrant and elegant with an amalgam of soft red fruit flavours, red florals, savoury dried herbs and subtle spices, just beginning to show some secondary complexities. The palate is sweet with some juiciness, supported by balanced, fine-grained, supple tannins which carry the sweet fruit flavours to a light, but long lingering finish. This is an elegant, light, soft-fruited and texturally refined Pinot Noir to serve with poultry and pork over the next 4-5+ years. Made from a blend of 12 clones, indigenous yeast fermented to 13.9% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 30% new French oak. 17.5+/20 Dec 2013 RRP $37.95