Brightwater Vineyards 2016 Lord Rutherford Sauvignon Blancs and 2015 Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Brightwater Vineyards ‘Lord Rutherford’ Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 16-May-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant straw-yellow colour with pale green-gold hues, lighter on the edge. The nose is rounded and gently concentrated with aromas of ripe gooseberry fruit along with notes of fresh herbs and snow peas, the aromatics building in depth with aeration. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has a rounded and well-concentrated core of ripe gooseberry fruit with a layering of fresh herbs and snow peas. The fruit has good richness and body, with subtle phenolic textures adding to the palate presence. The fruit is underlined by fresh, thirst-quenching acidity, and the wine carries with good energy and linearity to a long, lingering finish. This is a rich, rounded and concentrated Sauvignon Blanc with ripe gooseberry and fresh herb flavours and mouthwatering acidity. Serve with salads and vegetables, and Mediterranean fare over the next 2 years. A single vineyard selection, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 6 weeks on gross lees. 18.0/20 May 2017 RRP $25.00
• Brightwater Vineyards ‘Lord Rutherford’ Nelson Barrique Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 13-May-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with light golden hues at the heart, lighter on the rim. The nose I elegant in proportion with a tight core of yellow and green stonefruits, along with dark herbs and subtle, savoury nutty lees, creamy barrel-ferment and smoky nuances. Medium-bodied, the palate has intense and well-concentrated flavours of yellow and green stonefruits entwined with herbs and layers of savoury nutty lees and oak elements. The palate has a firm core with very fine textures and structure, and is enlivened by slippery, crisp acidity. The flavours carry through to a lingering finish with complexing stonefruit, herb and nutty detail. This is a finely concentrated, oak-influenced Sauvignon Blanc with complex stonefruit, herb, lees and oak notes and a fresh, lively mouthfeel. Match with herb-marinated seafood, poultry and pork dishes over the next 3 years. Made from a parcel of hand-picked fruit from the ‘Home’ vineyard on the Hope Plains, barrel-fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 6 months on lees in French oak, undergoing batonnage and 25% MLF. 17.5+/20 May 2017 RRP $30.00
• Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Pinot Noir 2015
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 13-May-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep ruby-red colour with purple hues, lighter on the im. The nose s firmly concentrated with rich aromas of ripe dark-red and black berried fruits, along with a complexing amalgam of avoury dark herbs, spices and earth, unfolding nuances of dark-red florals and plums. Medium-full bodied, the palate has a deep and densely packed core of ripe dark-red and black fruits, along with plum, dark herb, earth and spice elements, and lifted floral nuances. The fruit is juicy and succulent, and supported by fine, grainy tannin structure, and fresh, balanced acidity. The wine carries to a sustained and nuanced finish with savoury, dark-red berry fruit flavours. This is a rich, succulent and well-packed Pinot Noir with ripe dark-red and black fruits along with savoury spice, herb and earth notes in a fine, grainy structure. Match with lamb, beef and venison dishes over the next 5-6+ years. Fruit from the ‘Home’ and ‘Ranzau Road’ vineyards, fully destemmed and fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 20% new French oak barriques. 18.5-/20 May 2017 RRP $35.00