Koha Marlborough 2018 Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, and 2017 Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Koha Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 15-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw colour, near colourless on the rim. The nose is fresh with soft and light aromas of passionfruit, tropical fruits and herbs with a hint of blackcurrant leaf. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is slender with flavours of passionfruit, nettles, cut-grass and green capsicums. The mouthfeel is refreshing with lacy acidity and the wine flows along a light-textured phenolic line that carries to a moderately long, dry finish. This is a slender Sauvignon Blanc with light passionfruit flavours with nettle and cut-grass notes on a textured palate with fresh acidity. Serve with seafood, salads and vegetables over the next 2 years. Fruit 65% from the Redwood Hills, Awatere and 35% from the ’Home’ vineyard, Wairau Bar, cool-fermented in tank with 5% of hand-picked fruit from the ’Hillside’ block in the Awatere WBP to barrel for indigenous yeast fermentation and 3 months aging on lees; the wine is 13.0% alc. and 3.5 g/L RS. 16.0/20 Nov 2018 RRP $18.99
• Koha Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 15-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, light straw-yellow colour with a little depth, paler edged. This has a light nose that opens in volume to show yellow stonefruits, a hint of apricot with nuances of pears and exotic florals, building to show moderate depth. Dryish to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has an elegant core of yellow stonefruits with notes of pears, apricots and honeysuckle, with lifted floral detail. The flavours are up-front and flow along a very fine textured line with balanced, integrated acidity. The flavours recede a little as the wine carries to a lingering, nuanced finish. This is an elegant, up-front, dryish Pinot Gris with stonefruit, pear and apricot flavours on a fine-texture palate and a light finish. A blend of 95% Pinot Gris and 5% Gewurztraminer, 70% from the Wairau Bar and 30% from the Redwood Hills, Awatere, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.5% alc. and 5 g/L RS, the wine aged 4 months on lees. 16.5-/20 Nov 2018 RRP $18.99
• Koha Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 15-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Light ruby-red colour with a little depth, paler on the rim. The nose is light with gentle aromas of dark-red cherry and berry fruit harmoniously entwined with fresh and savoury dark herbs. The nose is well-proportioned and straightforward in expression. Medium-bodied, the palate has a softly fresh core of dark-red cherry and berry fruit with sweetness and some richness. The fruit is enhanced by lifted herb notes, and supported by light tannin structure lending a balanced, textured mouthfeel. The acidity is integrated, and the wine finishes with light red fruit nuances. This is a softly fresh, light Pinot Noir with cherry and berry fruit along with fresh herbs on a lightly-structured palate. Serve with antipasto and tapas over the next 2+ years. Fruit from the ‘Taylor River’ vineyard in the Omaka/Southern Valleys region, clone 115 fruit hand-picked and fermented with 20% whole bunches, and Abel clone fruit fully destemmed, fermented to 14.0% alc. and aged 9 months in 33% new French oak. 16.0-/20 Nov 2018 RRP $22.99