Haha ‘Brut Cuvee’ Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV – New Blend

30-Aug-2018

In early 2016, Haha launched their first sparkling wine, the ‘Brut Cuvee’, adding to a burgeoning range. This virtual wine company has grown immensely from small beginnings with only a Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir from Marlborough. Nowadays the portfolio is spread across many varieties with fruit drawn from both Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, involving several winemakers. All the wines have been carefully researched to fill a niche, both domestically and in export markets, and thus, all sell well. Making high quality sparkling wine is arguably one of the more difficult styles to master, and the Haha team have the consultancy of sparkling specialist Gary Duke in making these wines. Here, I review the new bottling of the ‘Brut Cuvee’. www.hahawine.co.nz

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Haha ‘Brut Cuvee’ Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV
Sparkling Wine from New Zealand - Other
Review Date : 29-Aug-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright yellow colour with light golden hues and some depth, the bubbles fine and moderately persistent. The nose is fresh and full with voluminous aromas of white and yellow stonefruits harmoniously entwined with restrained notes of bread and yeasty autolysis. The aromatics show good depth and intensity, with freshness the feature. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is taut and tightly bound, quite elegant in expression, with a well-packed, somewhat unyielding core of stonefruits layered with bread and yeast. The palate possesses a phenolic-textured line with the acidity and effervescence providing liveliness and drive, leasing to a crisp, clean and elegant finish. This is a youthfully taut sparkling wine with stonefruit and bready-yeasty elements on a textured line. It will benefit from 5-6 months in bottle, and serve as an aperitif or with antipasto over the next 2-3 years after. A blend of 54% Chardonnay and 46% Pinot Noir, all Marlborough fruit, fermented to 12.5% alc. and 5.8 g/L RS, made by Charmat method. Lot R8864. 17.5-/20 Aug 2018 RRP $21.99Bright, pale lemon-hued straw-yellow colour, lighter on edge, with very fine bead of moderate persistence. The bouquet is softly full and evenly concentrated with clear and pure aromas of white and yellow stonefruits gently melded with subtle nutty lees elements. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is fresh and aromatic with flavours of white stonefruits, citrus fruits and florals, expressed directly, with a degree of refinement. The mouthfeel is soft with light effervescence lending a creaminess to the textures, all balanced by lively acidity. The palate features a linear core that unfolds nutty detail with a suggestion of bready yeast. The palate grows in depth as it flows, carrying to a soft, dry-textured, mouthwatering finish. This is a fresh, aromatic sparkling wine with stonefruit, citrus and nutty flavours and a fine, dry finish. Serve as an aperitif and with canapes over the next 2-3 years. 50% Chardonnay and 50% Pinot Noir from Marlborough and Hawke’s Bay, the components aged on lees up to 5 years, undergoing secondary fermentation in tank to 12.5% alc. with 6.9 g/L dosage. 17.5/20 May 2016 RRP $21.99

Haha ‘Brut Cuvee’ Chardonnay/Pinot Noir NV – New Blend

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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