Bridge Pa Triangle

21-Jul-2020

Bridge Pa Triangle

Hawkes Bay is the second-largest wine region in New Zealand, over 4,744 hectares planted in vines, with the largest premium red wine production in the country. Hawkes Bay subregions are roughly divided into the Coastal areas, the Hillsides, Alluvial Plains, River Valleys and Central Hawkes Bay.

Bridge Pa Triangle is right next to the more famous Gimblett Gravels on the Heretaunga Alluvial Plains, but should not be overlooked. It is roughly delineated by three roads: Ngatarawa Road, State Highway 50 and Maraekakaho Road.

The Bridge Pa Triangle Wine District contains the oldest soils on the Heretaunga Plains, formed over thousands of years by the changing course of the lower Ngaruroro River. It is characterised by three main soil types: the Takapau and Ngatarawa series are both sandy loam over gravel, while the eastern border along Ngatarawa Road is primarily Te Awa clay loam on pumice sand. All three are free-draining, warm soils overlying “red metal” alluvial gravels that are ideally suited to viticulture, with sufficient water holding capacity to give balanced vines with only limited irrigation.

The combination of these special soils with high sunshine hours, low rainfall and Growing Degree Days comparable to Bordeaux makes the Bridge Pa Triangle a unique viticultural area.

I have recently tasted the below range of wines from the Bridge Pa Triangle District. I found these wines are of high-quality, with body and breath, ripened fruit characters and lively acidity balance; capable of upholding high proportion of new oak usage and worthy of ageing.

www.bridgepatriangle.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Paritua Chardonnay 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, medium yellow with a golden hue, even throughout. The nose is gentle and reserved, subtle fruit aromas of stonefruit; along with delicate floral, almonds, lemon syrup cake and a light dusting of spices. Medium-full bodied, exhibits flavours of stonefruit, grapefruit pith, lemon curd, and tropical pineapple notes. The palate is round, buttery entwined with toasted almonds and oak spices, the oak element also provides some phenolic grip. Acidity is lively on a pineapple tone, balanced with the butteriness and leads the wine to a focused linearity finish. The is a well-structured Chardonnay on a lush and creamy palate, and taut acidity drives the wine to a linear finish. Match with chicken in milk and semi-hard nutty cheese over the next 4-6 years. Basket-pressed fruit, fermented in barrels to 13.5% alc. Battonage and on lees in barrels for 11 months, 40% new oak. Approx 25% MLF. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $35
Paritua Syrah 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, medium ruby-red with a purple hue, lighter on edge, youthful. The nose is generous yet elegant, fragrantly violet, bright and juicy red fruit of berries and plums taking the centre, unfolding Crème de Mure, sweet herbs, black pepper and meaty notes. Medium-bodied, the palate is finely presented with good concentration of red plums and berries, entwined with sweet herbs, spiced plums and violet, unfolding peppery meaty notes. The fruit is supported by fine-grained dusty tannin extraction and balanced, lively acidity; well-rounded and amiable. This is an elegantly presented Syrah with juicy fruit, complexing sweet herbs, spices and dusty fine-grained tannin structure. Match with lamb and venison over the next 6-8 years. Destemmed fruit, fermented in tank to 13% alc with 20% whole berries. MLF in tanks. Aged in a mix of French oak barriques and puncheons for 12-14 months, 50% new oak. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $49
Oak Estate 1000 Vines Reserve Chardonnay 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, medium yellow with a golden hue, lighter on the rim. The nose is voluminous and well-concentrated with barrel-fermented elements, flavours of toast, nuts and butter melded with tropical and citrus fruit, unfolding nuances of oak spices. Full-bodied, dry to taste, flavours of tropical fruit, citrus fruit and peels entwined with nougat and spices. The palate is broad and round, filled with creamy and buttery richness; fresh acidity balanced out the weight. There is a subtle layer of phenolic texture added interest. This is a lusciously rich Chardonnay, carries flavours of tropical fruit, citrus peels, toasty oak and butteriness. Match with roasted pork and chicken over the next 3-5 years. Clone 15, handpicked fruit, whole bunch pressed, barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc. French oak, 50% new. 18/20 pts June 2020 RRP $45
Oak Estate Syrah 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Deep, medium ruby-red colour, lighter on the rim. The nose is fresh and vibrant with aromas of black plums, red berries entwined with black pepper and oak spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is gentle and soft with ripened black plums, red berries unfolding black pepper and an amalgam of nutmeg and cardamom spices. The fruit is ripe, balanced by the right amount of acid. Soft mouthfeel support by lacy acidity and light, round fine-grained tannin extraction. The wine carries good energy flows to an elegant finish with ripened fruit, black pepper and spices. This is a gentle, elegant Syrah with ripe black plummy fruit, red berries and spices on a light, round fine-grained tannin mouthfeel. Match with lamb shoulder and game over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from a single vineyard in Bridge Pa Triangle, fermented to 13% alc. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new oak. 17.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $29
Sileni Exceptional Vintage Merlot 2013, Hawke’s Bay
Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, deep red-black, lighter on the rim with a red-orange tinge. The nose is full and elegantly presented with aromas of cooked red berries and plums, melded with an amalgam of spices unfolding meaty, metallic earth notes. Medium-full bodied, the palate is rich with a concentrated core of red berries and plums with spices; enlivened by nuances of oak spices, meaty and metallic earth notes development. The mouthfeel is rich and grippy with a tight core fine-grained tannin extraction; balanced acidity supporting the fruit carries the wine to a dry, lingering finish. This is an elegantly developed Merlot with concentrated flavours of red fruit, spices along with meaty development and a layer of metallic earth detail on a tightly bound fine-grained tannin palate. Match with grilled meat over the next 4-5 years. 15% alc. Aged in French oak barriques for 15 months, 40% new oak. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $71.99
Sileni Exceptional Vintage Syrah 2013, Hawke’s Bay
Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Deep, dark ruby-black, lighter on the rim in brick red colour. The nose is gently packed with aromas of cooked black plums and berries with spices; along with herbaceous notes, savoury game and tar nuances development. Medium-full bodied, the palate is full and gentle with aromas of cooked black plums and blackberries; with pepper and softened oak spices. Alongside liquorice, savouriness, herbaceousness and tar complexing development. The mouthfeel is soft and mellowed with lacy acidity, supported by softened fine-grained tannin structure. The tannin is well-integrated with fruit, spices and other development leads to a smooth textured, dry, sustained finish. This is a well-developed, well-integrated Syrah with complexing flavours of cooked black fruit, savoury, gamey, herbaceous on a softened fine-grained palate. Match with lamb stew over the next 2-3 years. 13.5% alc. Aged in French oak barriques for 10 months, 60% new oak. 18/20 pts June 2020 RRP $71.99
Alpha Domus The Batten Special Reserve Chardonnay 2017, Hawke’s Bay
Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light yellow with some depth and a golden tinge, even colour throughout. The nose is bright and elegantly presented, barrel-fermented characters of buttered toast, hazelnuts interweaved with Meyer lemon, stonefruit along with integrated oak spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is finely-presented with a tight core of Meyer lemon, stonefruit entwined with buttery toast, hazelnuts, unveiling a lifted scent of fresh oak spices. The acidity is crisp and mouthwatering, with great energy; integrated into the creamy palate. The palate is fresh, creamy with a lightness, structured by a thin layer of phenolic texture. The wine carries with good energy, flows to an elegant, lingering finish. This is a beautiful and elegant Chardonnay with flavours of lemon and stonefruit, integrated with the nutty oak element and creamy palate to a lingering fresh finish. Match with crayfish macaroni and cheese over the next 4 years. Fruit from a single vineyard, best parcels of clone 15. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, fermented in a mix of French oak barriques and puncheons to 12.5% alc, 46% new oak. Full MLF, lees stirred. Aged for 11 months before blending in tanks. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $39
Alpha Domus The Ace Special Reserve Syrah 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, medium ruby-red with a brightness, even colour throughout. The nose is complex with depth, concentrated aromas of blueberries, boysenberries melded with violet fragrance, underlying dark herbs, liquorice roots, savoury lightly smoked meat and spices. Medium-full bodied, the palate is finely presented with a tight core of blueberries, boysenberries and violet florals; unfolding liquorice and dark herbs, along with smoked meat savouriness and black pepper. The fruit is ripe with the right proportion of fruitness; enlivened the savoury, smoked meat elements. The violet, dark herbs and liquorice roots detail added a delicate layer of interest. The powdery fine-grained tannin extract is well integrated with all the elements, providing a well-framed structure. Lacy acidity contributed to freshness, flows to a long, sustained finish. This is a complex and elegant Syrah with well-proportioned flavours of fruit and delicate herbs and floral detail, along with savoury meatiness on a well structured powdery tannin mouthfeel. Match with grilled lamb and game over the next 8-10 years. Handpicked, destemmed, fermented with 1% Viognier to 13.5% alc. Aged in French oak puncheons and barriques for approx 10 months. 19/20 pts June 2020 RRP $60
Redmetal Basket Press Merlot/ Cabernet Franc 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, deep, even, ruby-red with a black hue. The nose is softly-full and fresh with aromas of red plums, berries, releasing a gentle balsamic spike with oak spices fragrance with aeration. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, the palate is gently-soft with well-concentrated aromas of black plums, red berries, underlying red liquorice and an amalgam of oak spices. The mouthfeel is lively with lacy acidity supported by supple, smooth tannin extraction. The palate is well-integrated, easy-drinking, offered a sense of comfort. This is a well-integrated Merlot dominant blend with red and black fruit, oak spices detail, supported by supple tannin structure. Match with beef stew and ragu over the next 4-5 years. 95.5% Merlot, 0.5% Cabernet Franc and 4% Syrah. 14% alc. Aged in barrel for 14 months. 18/20 pts June 2020 RRP $35
Redmetal Vineyards Basket Press Syrah 2018, Hawke’s Bay
Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay
Review Date : 18-Jun-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Deep, medium black-ruby with a purple hue, even colour throughout. The nose has a moderately full, intense aromas of blackberries and plums, along with a lifted floral fragrance; melded with aromatic oak and spices, underlying a subtle mineral and earthy detail. Medium-full bodied, the mouthfeel is soft-textured and full with plush fruit of blackberries, plums and black pepper. Layers of spices, cedar unfolding, along with earthy element and a stony mineral note. Mouthwatering acid contributed to freshness, interweaved with ripe fine-grained tannin extraction, leads the palate to a smooth and linear finish. This is an elegantly full Syrah with black fruit and peppery aromas, along with oak spices, earth detail on a smooth palate with ripe tannin extraction. Match with Middle-Eastern cuisine over the next 4-6 years. 87% Syrah 13% Merlot fermented to 14.5% alc. Aged in barrels for 10 months. 18+/20 pts June 2020 RRP $40

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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