Johner Estate 2012 White and 2010 Pinot Noir Releases

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Johner Estate Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2012
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 08-Oct-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, pale on edge. The nose is softly full with light white stonefruit and apple aromas with notes of flinty lees work and a little oak spiciness. Dryish to taste, stonefruit flavours are complexed by nutty oak and some flintiness, and form a smooth and rounded palate with a near unctuous mouthfeel. The acidity contributes a slipperiness and the flavours flow to a savoury finish with stonefruits and earth. This is a smooth, near unctuous Pinot Gris with subtle stonefruit and minerally interest. Match with Mediterranean fare over the next 3-4+ years. Wairarapa fruit fermented to 13.5% alc. and 6 g/L rs, the wine aged 3 months on less, 50% in seasoned 330 L oak barrels. 17.5+/20 Oct 2012 RRP $24.00
• Johner Estate Wairarapa Pinot Noir Rosé 2012
  Rose from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 08-Oct-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Made from Gladstone Pinot Noir fruit spending 2 days on skins and fermented to 13.5% alc. and 6 g/L rs. Bright light pink colour with cerise and purple hues. This has a full, solid, and youthfully fresh nose with an amalgam of red cherry and berry fruits intermixed with red florals, herbs and earth. Off-dry to taste and full-bodied, bright, subtly sweet, cherry and raspberry fruit flavours are underlined by fresh herb nuances. The mouthfeel is robust with some tannin texture and zesty acidity adding a youthful, brashness and grip. The tannins and acidity carry the palate line to a dry, firm finish. This is a textural rosé with the structure to serve with charcuterie, poultry and pork over the next 2-3 years. 16.5/20 Oct 2012 RRP $18.00
• Johner Estate Gladstone Pinot Noir 2010
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 26-Feb-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  The second bottling of this wine. Lot 0110gd. Fruit from the home ‘Johner' vineyard fermented to 14.0% alc. with 10% whole bunch, the wine spending 2 weeks on skins and aged 12 months in 30% new French oak barrels. Even ruby-red colour, a little lighter on rim. This has a lively, vibrant and fresh bouquet with dark red berry fruits along with red floral perfumes and fresh herbal interest, along with earth and smoky nuances harmoniously entwined. Medium-full bodied, vibrant and full-flavours of dark red berry fruits show with dark, savoury, sappy herbs, game and smoky oak. Fine, supple tannins provide structure and balance, and the palate is enlivened by crisp acidity, carrying the flavours to a moderately long, red berry fruited, game and smoke nuanced finish. This is a flavoursome and lively Pinot Noir with dark berry fruit, and herb and smoky interest. Match with herb-marinated wild pork and duck dishes over the next 5-6 years. 17.5/20 Feb 2013 RRP $34.00 Deep, garnet-hued ruby-red colour with a dark heart. The bouquet is full, firm and densely packed with lifted aromas of savoury red berry fruits and secondary dried herb and dark red floral notes. Medium-full bodied, lusciously rich, dark red floral, soft red berry fruit and savoury undergrowth flavours are enlivened by fresh, lacy acidity. This is juicy and energetic, with fine, grainy tannins providing good depth and textural line. Dried herb and mushroomy notes emerge and lead to a dry, firm finish with crisp acidity adding to the length. This is a lush and well-structured Pinot Noir showing some secondary savoury flavours. Match with mushroom-influenced dishes including risotto, pasta and pork over the next 4-5+ years. Fruit from the ‘Johner' vineyard fermented to 14.0% alc. with 10% whole bunch, the wine spending 2 weeks on skins and aged 12 months in 30% new oak barrels. 17.5/20 Oct 2012 RRP $34.00