Gladstone Vineyard 2010 Aromatics and 2009 Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Riesling 2010
  Riesling from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 12-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  This is an outstanding wine and a wonderful example of purity in a dry style. Very pale straw colour with youthful green hues showing, this has a startling intensity of vibrant, pure, lime-like aromatics expressed with elegance. Very dry on palate with 1.5 g/L rs, this is an extremely stylish wine with perfect body at 12.3% alc., archetype lime and mineral flavours, beautiful line and length through the palate. It is tightly focussed, and has refreshing acidity. The mouthfeel is very fine, considering the fruit depth. This will develop well over the next 6-8 years. Made from 24 y.o. vines from the Winery Block at Gladstone. 18.5+/20 Dec 2010 RRP24.00
• Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Viognier 2010
  Viognier from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 12-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from the company's Dakins Road block, whole bunch pressed and stainless steel fermented to 14.2% alc., and 3.22 g/L rs. 20% aged in seasoned French oak, and lees stirred. This is pale straw coloured with green hues. Somewhat shy on the nose, the bouquet is one of florals and cooler aromatics rather than the exotic fruits. Some fermentation esters provide some lift. Dry to taste, there is some fruit sweetness contributing to the unctuous and rounded mouthfeel, and good weight. Some alcohol warmth is positive here too. As on the nose, the fruit is a little light at present, but should show more over the next 2-3 years. 16.0+/20 Dec 2010 RRP $24.00
• Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Pinot Noir 2009
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 25-Mar-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Moderately deep ruby-red with youthful purple hues. The bouquet is softly full, with depth and presence, unfolding layers of aromas. Savoury red berry fruits are complexed by a subtle amalgam of dried herbs, stalks, game meat, in the secondary stage. Fullish in body, rich and succulent fruit flavours of dark red berry fruit fill the mouth with a fleshy mouthfeel. This is solid in weight, but rounded, with very fine-grained tannins in support. This has a suppleness to the extract, enlivened by balanced acidity. A little secondary interest is showing, savoury game and some forest floor nuance adding detail. This has a good life ahead, say 5-6+ years yet. 19.0/20 Mar 2013 Gladstone Vineyard Pinot Noir has had great success over the past several vintages, winning gold medals and trophies. The label can stand as an equal among the leaders from Martinborough if one wishes to make that comparison. Light ruby red with some garnet to the colour, this has an excellent, up-front, but elegant nose of ripe red fruits intermixed with florals and a savoury note.. Quite classical in a Wairarapa style, the ripe, gamey, red fruitiness is well-supported by fine-grained, supple tannins that provide a silkiness of texture. Extremely drinkable now, this will develop over the next 4-6 years, during which it should merit a 5 star rating. Made from clone 5, 6, 13, 115, 667, 777, 10/5 and Abel fruit from the Dakins Road and Biddeford blocks, given a 5-7 day cold soak, fermented to 14.7% alc., and aged for 10 months in 30% new French oak. 18.0+/20 Dec 2010 RRP $45.00