Main Divide 2015 Sauvignon Blanc, and 2014 Merlot Cabernet and ‘Tehau’ Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Main Divide Waipara Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2015
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 20-Jan-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale straw colour with slight green hues, very light on the rim. This has a full, broad nose of gooseberries and white stonefruits along with subtle passionfruit elements, unfolding hints of cooler-spectrum cut grass and nettle nuances. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate features bright and vibrant fruit flavours of gooseberries, passionfruit, piquant herbs and nuances of cut grass and nettles. The fruit forms an elegant core and fine phenolic, textured line, and lively acidity adds to the slippery mouthfeel and flow. The wine carries to an elegant, dry, light-flavoured finish. This is a fresh, bright and elegant Sauvignon Blanc with gooseberry, passionfruit and cut grass flavours and a lively, dry mouthfeel. Serve with seafood, salads and vegetables over the next 2 years. Waipara Valley fruit cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 14.0% alc., the wine aged on lees. 17.5-/20 Jan 2016 RRP $20.99
• Main Divide Waipara Valley Merlot/Cabernet 2014
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 20-Jan-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  A blend of 60% Merlot and 40% Cabernet Sauvignon, all Waipara Valley fruit, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in seasoned French oak barriques. Dark ruby-red colour, a little lighter edged. The nose is soft and restrained with harmoniously melded aromas of savoury red berry fruits and plums, dried herbs, cedar and nuances of game and undergrowth. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly proportioned with flavours of savoury red berry fruits, currants and plums, entwined with cedar and dried herb notes. The fruit is gently sweet and rich, and balanced by fine-grained, drying tannin. Some underlying alcoholic power and crisp acidity carries the wine to a light, dry finish with currant and cedar notes. This is an elegant Merlot/Cabernet with savoury and cedary fruit flavours and a dry, fine-grained palate. Match with casseroles and semi-hard cheeses over the next 3-4 years. 16.5/20 Jan 2016 RRP $20.99
• Main Divide ‘Tehau Reserve’ Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2014
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 20-Jan-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues on the edge. The nose is tightly bound and concentrated with refined aromas of black and red cherry fruit entwined with red liquorice, unfolding layers of spice, dark red florals and toasty oak. Medium-bodied, rich and luscious fruit flavours of black cherries and red berry fruit are melded with red liquorice and toasty oak, to form a tightly concentrated heart. Fine-grained tannin extraction and structure supports the fruit, and integrated acidity lends energy and drive. The palate carries to an elegant, fine-textured finish of cherries and oak toast. This is an elegantly rich Pinot Noir with black cherry and toasty oak flavours and a fine-gained structure. Serve with barbecued and grilled poultry and pork dishes over the next 4+ years. Waipara Valley fruit indigenous yeast fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 18 months in new French oak barriques. 17.5-/20 Jan 2016 RRP $32.95