Main Divide Chardonnay 2010 & Merlot/Cabernet 2009

07-Sep-2012

The Main Divide label has proven to be the runaway success for the Donaldson family in Waipara, and as the wines grow in stature and style, they now give nothing away to the senior Pegasus Bay tier wines. In some respects, the ability to source fruit from sites outside the family owned estate plantings allows greater blending diversity and options to achieve the relatively more accessible style that the Main Divide wines deliver. Winemakers Matt Donaldson and Lynette Hudson put their stamp of richness of character and texture resulting in considerable consumer appeal in the wines. Here are the latest Chardonnay and Merlot/Cabernet wines, proven performers in the past and worthy stablemates to the likes of the Riesling and Pinot Noir. www.maindivide.com

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Main Divide Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2010
Chardonnay from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara
Review Date : 07-Sep-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light golden hued straw-yellow colour with depth, lighter on rim. The bouquet os softly full with aromas of peaches and stonefruit kernel intermixed with flinty, earthy lees notes. Medium-full bodied, this is gently mouthfilling with flavours of rich citrus fruit, mealy, nutty elements nuts and flint. Rounded textures are balanced by fresh, lively acidity which keeps the fruit to the fore on the palate. The wine finishes with light, restrained flavours of nuts and fliny. This is a softly rich, and gently mouthfilling Chardonnay with good acid freshness. Serve with seafood, poultry and pork over the next 4+ years. Fruit from clay and stony soil sites in the Waipara Valley, fully barrel-fermented by indigenous yeasts to 13.5% alc. and aged 18 months in seasoned French oak barriques on lees, the wine undergoing partial MLF. 17.5-/20 Sep 2012 RRP $19.95
Main Divide Waipara Valley Merlot/Cabernet 2009
Merlot from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara
Review Date : 07-Sep-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon from stony soiled vineyards in the Waipara Valley indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 2 years in French oak barriques. Moderately deep, dark ruby-red colour with some garnet hues on rim. The nose is elegant and harmoniously presented with an amalgam of fresh dark red berry fruits, cassis and red florals and a hint of mint, the aromas good depth. Medium-bodied, flavours of fresh dark red plums, are supported by notes of black and redcurrants, unfolding hints of spice and oak cedar. The fruit is backed by supple tannins in the background and good acid freshness providing sufficient palate drive and line for an attractively sweet fruited, lengthy finish. This is an elegant, fresh and supple Merlot-based wined with attractive plum and red fruit flavours. Match with Mediterranean-inspired cuisine over the next 4-5+ years. 17.5/20 Sep 2012 RRP $19.95

Main Divide Chardonnay 2010 & Merlot/Cabernet 2009

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Featured Reviews

STAY UP TO DATE

candicewinechat