Crown Range Cellar – A Premium Negotiant Selection

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Crown Range Cellar ‘The Voyage’ Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2014
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 29-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour, lighter edged. The bouquet is very refined and smooth in presentation with penetrating and intense aromas of pungent passionfruit, tropical fruits and herbs melded harmoniously with gooseberry notes. This is fine in concentration and unfolds mineral interest. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate features and elegantly concentrated core with intense flavours of passionfruit, tropical fruits and green stonefruits all finely integrated. The mouthfeel is very smooth-flowing and the energy and tension enhanced by slippery acidity. The wine is guided by seamless phenolic structure, carrying the sweet fruit to a long and sustained passionfruity finish. This is a smooth-flowing, harmonious Sauvignon Blanc with refinement and intensity. Serve with seafood and Pacific Rim fare over the next 2 years. 12.7% alc. 18.5/20 Dec 2015 RRP $52.00
• Crown Range Cellar ‘The Voyage’ Central Otago Pinot Gris 2015
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 29-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with light green-gold hues, paler on rim. The nose is very fresh and tightly bound with aromas of white stonefruits, and nuances of exotic florals and honeysuckle entwined with nutty and flinty suggestions. An array of floral aromatics unfold in the glass. Medium-dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is elegant in proportion with a refreshingly crisp and lively mouthfeel. There is a tight core of white stonefruits lifted by florals, unveiling slightly savoury nutty and mineral detail. The wine has linearity and flows with good energy and vitality, the sweetness and richness balanced by fine textures. The palate leads to a tight, grainy, off-dry finish of stonefruits, florals and minerals. This is a medium-dry Pinot Gris with a rich core of stonefruits, florals and honeysuckle on a bright, lively, minerally palate. Serve with Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine over the next 3-4 years. 12.5% alc. 18.0/20 Dec 2015 RRP $52.00
• Crown Range Cellar ‘The Voyage’ Waipara Riesling 2014
  Riesling from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 29-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, bright, light golden-hued yellow colour, a little lighter on the rim. The bouquet is well-proportioned with good depth and concentration, showing a taut core of lime fruit, jasmine and exotic florals, and honeysuckle nuances, unfolding mineral and suggestions of toasty complexities. Medium in sweetness and light-bodied, the mouthfeel is gentle in flow with a soft core unfolding mouthfilling flavours of lime fruit, exotic florals, honey and toast. This is soft-textured with light, lacy acidity lending freshness and vitality, carrying the wine to a long, honied, fine-featured finish. This is a light-bodied medium Riesling with gently rich flavours of lime, florals honey and toast, and a lively, fresh mouthfeel. Serve as an aperitif and with Asian fare over the next 3-4 years. 10.0% alc. 18.0-/20 Dec 2015 RRP $52.00
• Crown Range Cellar ‘The Voyage’ Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet Franc 2013
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 29-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red, youthfully purple in appearance. The bouquet is tight and firmly concentrated with deep, youthfully primary and aromatic notes of ripe dark red and spicy black berry and plum fruit, along with bramble, earth and nuances of blackcurrants. The nose unfolds dark and savoury herbal detail in the glass. Medium-full bodied and elegantly proportioned, the palate is tight and refined with ripe and sweet fruit flavours of dark red berry fruits, plums, spices, earth and blackcurrants. The fruit is plush and slippery, the palate underlined by considerable fine-grained tannin structure and grip. Excellent acidity and freshness enlivens the fruit and mouthfeel, and the flavours lead to a bright and sweet, long-lingering finish. This is an elegantly proportioned, plush and juicy, rich dark berry and plum fruited Merlot/Malbec/Franc blend with currant and spice interest and a firm and lively tannin line. Match with beef, lamb, venison and semi-hard cheeses over the next 6-9 years. 13.0% alc. 18.5/20 Dec 2015 RRP $56.00
• Crown Range Cellar ‘Signature Selection – Grant Taylor’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 29-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, purple-hued black-red colour with light purple edge. The nose is very full, bold and rich with aromas of ripe dark-red and black cherry fruit melded with raspberry and raspberry liqueur, and entwined with complexing thyme herb and whole cluster stalk and stem-like perfumes. Subtle spicy oak adds to the richness, shine and vivacity. Medium-full bodied, the fruit flavours of ripe dark raspberries are juicy and plush, and complexed by layers of thyme herbs, and stalk and stem whole bunch notes. The fruit sweetness is supported by open, but considerable tannin extraction and structure, the tannins moderately fine-grained, adding to the vinous presence. Fresh, balanced acidity enlivens the mouthfeel, lending energy as the wine carries to a richly concentrated, luscious and complex, lingering finish. This is a rich, juicy luscious Pinot Noir with sweet raspberry flavours complexed by whole cluster characters, and a fulsome structure and mouthfeel. Match with wild duck and pork, and with Chinese cuisine over the next 6+ years. 13.5% alc. 1,200 bottles made. 18.5+/20 Dec 2015 RRP $172.50
• Crown Range Cellar ‘Dolca Vita’ Late Harvest Riesling 2015
  Sweet Wine from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 29-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, light straw-yellow colour with hints of gold, pale on the rim. The nose is elegant in presentation with tightly bound and restrained aromas of limes, yellow florals, savoury wild honey and hints of talc botrytis, unveiling a subtle, refreshing amalgam of herbs and minerals. Sweet to taste and light-bodied, the palate features soft, mouthfilling flavours of savoury honey entwined with limes, yellow florals, herbs and minerals. This has a fresh, bright, lively mouthfeel with a core of light phenolic textures providing linearity. This has a little unctuousness which is balanced by the fresh and crisp acidity, and the wine flows smoothly and harmoniously to a long finish of savoury yellow floral and wild honey nuances. This is a soft but refreshing sweet, late-harvest Riesling with savoury floral and honey aromas and flavours. Serve as an aperitif and with fruit desserts over the next 3-4 years. Waitaki Valley Riesling fruit botrytis affected. 9.0% alc. (375 ml) 17.5+/20 Dec 2015 RRP $70.00