Hopes Grove Hawke’s Bay 2016 and 2015 Chardonnay and Syrah

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Hopes Grove ‘Estate’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 05-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, light golden-yellow colour with some depth, paler edged. The nose is fresh and firm with solid and robust aromas of ripe yellow stonefruits and citrus fruit entwined with creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak unfolding a little toast. The aromatics form a positive core with depth. Medium-full bodied, the palate has bold and up-front flavours of sweetly ripe tropical fruit and stonefruits, with savoury citrus fruit forming a fulsome heart. The flavours are mouthfilling and near robust, with balancing creamy and nutty oak and fresh, lacy acidity. The wine has good drive and carries to a long finish. This is a fulsome and robust Chardonnay with stonefruit, citrus fruit and tropical fruit , creamy and nutty oak on a palate with power and freshness. Serve with poultry, pork and veal dishes over the next 4+ years. Hand-picked fruit, clones 15, 95 and 96 vines planted 2006 and 2012, WBP and indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.2% alc., the wine aged 15 months in 32% new French oak, undergoing batonnage for 3 months, with 100% MLF. 18.5-/20 Nov 2018 RRP $35.00
• Hopes Grove ‘Estate’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 05-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light golden-yellow colour with some depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is gently full and harmoniously interwoven and integrated aromas of ripe tropical fruit, yellow stonefruits and citrus fruits along with nutty, spicy oak and an amalgam of creamy barrel-ferment and MLF, unfolding suggestions of flint. Medium-full bodied, the palate is rich with luscious and creamy flavours of ripe yellow stonefruits and tropical fruit melded with creamy and nutty oak and nuances of buttery MLF. The fruit forms a concentrated, but rounded heart with some underlying alcohol drive and linearity. The mouthfeel is soft-textured and the wine carries to a light, elegant, nuanced finish. This is a rich and harmonious Chardonnay with stonefruit, citrus and tropical fruit entwined with creamy and nutty oak on a smooth-textured palate. Match with creamy seafood, poultry and pork dishes over the next 4 years. Hand-picked fruit, clones 15, 95 and 96, vines planted 2006, WBP and indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.3% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 37% new French oak, undergoing batonnage for 3 months, with 100% MLF. 18.0+/20 Nov 2018 RRP $35.00
• Hopes Grove ‘Estate’ Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 05-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Moderately dark, even ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is elegant in proportion and presentation with aromas of dark raspberries with notes of blackberries, entwined with black and white pepper, a little liquorice and spice, with subtle nuances of herbs and earth. Medium-full bodied, the palate has bright, juicy and vibrant fruit flavours of dark raspberries and blackberries along with violet florals, black and white pepper with some spice notes. The fruit forms a fine core with good concentration with fine, grainy tannin extraction and enlivening lacy acidity. This has good energy and the fruit flows with vitality to a long, lingering finish of dark raspberries, spice and pepper. This is a bright and vibrant Syrah with fresh dark raspberry and blackberry fruit with florals, pepper and spices on a fine-grained palate. Match with Asian and Middle Eastern fare over the next 5-6 years. Hand-picked MS clone fruit, vines planted 2006, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 10 days on skins post ferment and aged 28 months in 42% new oak. 18.0/20 Nov 2018 RRP $40.00
• Hopes Grove ‘Estate’ Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 05-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, ruby-red colour with some depth, a little lighter on the edge. The nose is elegant in proportion, but well-packed with deep and solid aromas of ripe blackberry fruit with suggestions of black plums and a layering of complexing dark herb and earthy notes, unfolding some black pepper and liquorice. Complexing detail of savoury fruits and whole bunch stalk perfumes emerge with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate is harmoniously layered with rich flavours of ripe blackberries and plums entwined with complexing dark herbs, earth, black pepper and liquorice. The flavours are harmoniously interwoven and balanced, and the mouthfeel is smooth-flowing with fine, flowery tannin providing structure. The acidity is soft and integrated and the wine carries seamlessly to an elegant finish. This is a rich and harmoniously presented ripe Syrah with black fruits, black pepper, herb and earth complexity on a fine-textured palate with a soft, seamless line. Match with roasted beef, lamb and venison over the next 6-8 years. Hand-picked MS clone fruit, vines planted 2006, destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented with 10% whole bunches to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 12 days on skins post ferment and aged 24 months in 33% new oak. 18.5/20 Nov 2018 RRP $40.00