Clearwater Cove 2017 and 2016 Releases

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Clearwater Cove Marlborough Rosé 2017
  Rose from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 12-Nov-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale salmon-pink colour with some depth, lighter edged. The nose is fresh with light aromas of white stonefruits with red florals and fruits, and light nuances of mouthwatering minerals. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has an elegant core of white stonefruits and delicate hints of red florals and fruits. The mouthfeel is bright, lively and refreshing with crisp acidity and subtle phenolic textures guiding the wine. As the wine flows, the flavours recede to a clean, dry finish. This is a light, stoneftuit and red floral nuanced dry rosé with a refreshing palate. Serve as an aperitif and with canapés over the next 2 years. Pinot Noir fruit from the Awatere and Wairau valleys, given a brief soak and cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 5.2 g/L RS. 16.0+/20 Nov 2017 RRP $13.95
• Clearwater Cove Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 12-Nov-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw colour with slight green hues, pale on edge. The nose is fresh with good volume and depth of passionfruit, tropical fruit, herb and nettle aromas. This is bright and vibrant with good depth and intensity. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has a good core of passionfruit, herb and nettle flavours, in the cooler spectrum. The palate is crisp and lively with bright acidity, and the wine flows along a light, phenolic-textured line which lends a dry, thirst-quenching mouthfeel. The flavours carry through to a light, nuanced finish of passionfruit and herbs. This is a crisp and bright passionfruited and herbal Sauvignon Blanc with a thirst-quenching palate. Match with salads and vegetables or Pacific Rim fare over the next 2 years. 60% Wairau and 40% Awatere Valley fruit, cool-fermented to 12.5% alc. and 3.7 g/L RS. 17.0+/20 Nov 2017 RRP $13.95
• Clearwater Cove Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 12-Nov-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour, lighter edged. The nose is full with aromas of fresh white and yellow stonefruits along with subtle white floralswith a hint of savouriness indicating the beginning of secondary development. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has attractively aromatic fruit flavours of white stonefruits entwined with lifted florals. The flavours are up-front and enlivened by fresh acidity. The wine flows along a fine line and the flavours become lighter, leading to a clean, crisp, dry finish. This is an aromatic dry Pinot Gris with stonefruit and floral flavours on a crisp and refreshing palate. Match with seafood and poultry, and Asian fare over the next 2-3 years. Fruit from the ‘Seaview’ vineyard, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 3.8 g/L RS. 16.5/20 Nov 2017 RRP $13.95
• Clearwater Cove East Coast Chardonnay 2016
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - North Island

  Review Date : 12-Nov-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light golden-hued straw-yellow, light on the rim. The nose is fresh with tightly bound aromas of white stonefruits along with subtle citrus fruit notes, a hint of lemon-curd, and nutty elements with mineral elements. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has a soft core with positive flavours of white stonefruits, citrus fruit and nutty notes. The mouthfeel is fresh and bright, and enlivened by crisp acidity. The wine flows along a fine-textured line leading to a lingering, taut and brisk finish. This is a brisk and fresh un-oaked Chardonnay with stonefruit flavours and a dry, textured palate. Match with seafood and poultry dishes over the next 2-3 years. East Coast North Island fruit fermented in stainless-steel tank to 12.5% alc., the wine un-oaked. 16.5-/20 Nov 2017 RRP $13.95
• Clearwater Cove South Island Pinot Noir 2016
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - South Island

  Review Date : 12-Nov-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Ruby-red colour with some depth, lighter on the rim with youthful purple hues. The nose is light with moderately concentrated , fresh fruit aromas of dark-red cherries and berries, along with light herbal notes. The aromatics are primary in expression and uncomplicated. Medium-bodied, the palate has bright, primary, aromatic fruit flavours of dark cherries and berries entwined with fresh herb notes and some red floral lift. The flavours are up-front and show depth, and are supported by light tannin extraction. The mouthfeel is bright and vibrant with lively, lacy acidity. The flavours recede as the wine carries to a light finish. This is a light, bright, cherry and berry fruited Pinot Noir with herbal notes on an up-front palate. Match with antipasto and tapas, and with Asian cuisine over the next 2-3 years. Fruit 50% Awatere and 50% Wairau, Marlborough, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged with French oak. 16.0+/20 Nov 2017 RRP $16.95
• Clearwater Cove Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 12-Nov-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues on the rim, youthful in appearance. The nose is soft and moderately deep with aromas of dark plums and redcurrants with soft herbal elements and lifted red floral elements. Medium-full bodied, the palate has bright and aromatic fruit flavours of red plums and redcurrants with soft herbal notes. The flavours are enlivened by fresh, lacy acidity and underlined by light tannin structure. The palate is up-front and accessible, and carries to an elegantly lingering, fruity finish. This is a bright and vibrant plum and redcurrant fruited Merlot with herbal notes on a fresh, lively palate with accessible structure. Serve with pasta, pizza and barbecued fare over the next 3 years. Hawke’s Bay fruit fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged over winter with French oak contact. 16.5/20 Nov 2017 RRP $16.95