Maori Point

30-Jul-2020

20200731_132437 - Raymond Chan Wine Reviews

Two families of scientists devoted to the ecosystem of their vineyard at Maori Point. They study it, nurture it, and savour the wine it creates. Using wild yeasts, avoid filtering and minimizing the usage of sulfites.

Dr. John Harris and Dr. Marilyn planted Māori Point Vineyard in 2002, on Maori Point Road at the end of Lake Dunstan, close to Terras in Cromwell. Matt Evens left Silicon Valley with his wife Dr. Maggie Evans joined Maori Point in 2011.

https://maoripoint.co.nz/

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Maori Point Pinot Noir Rosé 2020, Central Otago
Rosé from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 28-Jul-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light cerise-pink, even colour throughout. The nose is softly rich and fresh with a good volume of strawberries, raspberries, melon and cream; melded with fragrances of florals and an amalgam of fresh herbs, spices and confectionary. The aromas show depth and intensity. Dryish to taste, medium-bodied, there's a concentrated core flavour of strawberries, raspberries and light cream, along with red florals, fresh minty herbs and an amalgam of spices. The palate is vibrant and lively with mouthwatering acidity; that is, thirst-quenching provides freshness and energy flow; balancing the sweetness. There's a powdery, delicate phenolic texture leaves an elegantly dry finish, finely concentrated. This is a fresh, thirst-quenching rosé with flavours of berries and cream, herbs and spices on a fine texture with excellent vitality. Match with salmon tartare and antipasto over the next 2 years. Handpicked, clone 10/5 and 777. Stainless fermented to 13.5% alc, 5.5 g/l RS. Vegan friendly. 18.5/20 pts July 2020 RRP $24.95
Maori Point Gold Digger Pinot Noir 2019, Central Otago
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 28-Jul-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, medium ruby-red with some dept, faintly lighter on edge. The nose is well-packed with an amalgam of red fruits; cranberries, red berries, mulberries lifted by deep red florals and subtle spices, along with a layer of stony mineral. Medium-bodied, flavours of red berries, cranberries and cherries are concentrated and vibrant; melded with toasty oak and a hint of dark chocolate. The fruit has concentration and focused, underlying fine-grained tannin extraction. The acidity is balanced, provides freshness, lifted the spices and florals to a supple finish. This is a vibrant, bold Pinot Noir with immediate accessibility with flavours of red fruit, deep florals and oak detail and a supple, fine tannin structure. Match with roasted duck and pork dish over the next 4 years. Handpicked, native yeasts fermented to 14.1% alc. Unfined, unfiltered. Vegan friendly. 18/20 pts July 2020 RRP $29.95
Maori Point Pinot Noir 2017, Central Otago
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 28-Jul-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Deep, medium ruby-red with depth, sightly lighter on edge. The nose is softly-full with aromas of red plums, sour cherries, melded with sweet liquorice and deep florals, subtle notes of gamey, savoury underlay, unfolding oak spices element. Medium-full bodied, there's a core of savoury notes of wet leaves, game and earth, integrated with red plums and cherries, along with oak spices, sweet liquorice lingers to a sustained finish. The flavours have concentration, supported by powdery fine-grained tannin structure and lacy acidity. The savoury development and sweet liquorice element are well-integrated with the fruit, leaves a comforting sensation on the palate. This is an integrated Pinot Noir with flavours of red fruit and savoury developments on a fine-grained texture line. Match with lamb and duck over the next 3-5 years. Handpicked, native yeast fermented to 13.6% alc. Aged 11 months in French oak barrels, 22% new. Minimal sulfites, unfined and unfiltered. Vegan friendly. 18.5+/20 pts July 2020 RRP $38.95
Maori Point Vineyard Reserve Pinot Noir 2016, Central Otago
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago
Review Date : 28-Jul-2020
☆☆☆☆☆
Deep, medium ruby-red with depth, lighter on the rim. The nose is deep and concentrated with flavours of red fruit, earth, savoury cured meat, game, entwined with deep red florals, thyme, subtle cedar and a layer of schist mineral. The aromas are concentrated with richness. Medium-full bodied, flavours of spiced plums, dark cherries and deep red florals, melded with development of dried thyme, game, cured meat, enlivened by a subtle layer of schist mineral. The aromas are complex with good intensity and weight. Fine-grained tannin extraction, reminiscent of Pu-er tea tannins, supple and earthy, along with spices and sweet liquorice carries the wine to a long sustained finish. Complexing flavours, gently nutty, warm chocolate, cedar characters unfolding as the wine aerated. This is an elegantly developed Pinot Noir with complexing flavours and interest; still, lots of have time ahead. Match with lamb and venison over the next 5-6 years. From the 1-acre Professors' Block, planted in 2002, clones Able, 10/5. Native yeasts fermented to 14.1% alc. Unfined, unfiltered. Vegan friendly. 19/20 pts July 2020 RRP $79.95

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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