Misha’s Vineyard – Six September Releases

25-Sep-2022

Since Misha's Vineyard made its first wines in 2007, they have consistently produced a diverse range of premium wines showing site expressions from their 57 hectares site in Bendigo Central Otago. The talented winemaker Olly Masters has been on the teams since the beginning, joined by viticulturist Michelle Dacombe attributed to their success alongside the skilled marketing of owners Misha and Andy Wilkinson.

Misha sent six soon-to-be-released wines in this media drop, including 'The Starlet' Sauvignon Blanc 2021, 'Dress Circle' Pinot Gris 2021 and four Pinot Noir. The Pinot Noir range includes,

• a new sub-brand 'Tempo' Pinot Noir (replaces the 'Impromptu' Pinot Noir), an early drinking style focused in the retail market. Youthful and juicy, suitable for everyday drinking.
• 'Cantata' Pinot Noir - a barrel selection of high-quality Pinot Noir at an affordable price point for aiming for by-the-glass in on-premise establishments. Accessible and great quality, lovely match with NZ lamb.
• 'The Hight Note' reflects the savoury and structural nature of the Bendigo sub-region fruit. Dark-fruited and structured shows a sense of place with excellent cellaring potential.
• 'Verismo' Pinot Noir is a reserve level with 18 months in barrels; an aged release that is complex, developed and ready to be consumed. For serious Pinot Noir drinkers, as a luxury gift or to savour.

Read the full reviews below.

https://mishasvineyard.com/

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Misha’s Vineyard The Starlet Sauvignon Blanc 2021, Central Otago
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 06-Sep-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, pale yellow. The nose is gentle with richness, savoury aromas of stonefruit, papaya interweave gooseberry, cut herbs, white pepper, cardamom and a saline edge. Medium-full bodied, aromas of papaya, nectarine and hints of gooseberry, unfolding white spice, herbs and minerals. The mouthfeel is smooth and delicate, dressed in silky, dusty phenolics. The fruit is concentrated, lingers with the depth of flavours and integrated acidity, and lends a savoury, long finish. This rich textured Sauvignon Blanc possesses concentrated fruit and spice with integrated acidity. Match with pork rillette and fish pate over the next 5 years. Fruit from Bendigo, handpicked, few hours of gentle skin contact. Whole bunch pressed to tank for settling, 54% was racked, inoculated and fermented in stainless steel, the remaining underwent spontaneous fermentation in older French oak barrels. 14% alc, 5 g/l RS. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $32
• Misha’s Vineyard Dress Circle Pinot Gris 2021, Central Otago
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 06-Sep-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale straw yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is gently full, growing in depth, displaying aromas of quince and pear, melded with honeysuckle and five spice. Medium-full bodied, dry to taste, collected aromas of quince, pear, and a suggestion of toffee apple entwined with honeysuckle, ginger and cinnamon. Opulent fruit shows depth and power with richness and spice. The mouthfeel is refined, textural and unctuous. This powerful and rich Pinot Gris shows concentrated fruit adorned with spice, and an unctuous palate lends a dry, long finish. Match with roasted quail and parsnip puree over the next 6 years. Fruit from Bendigo, gently whole bunch pressed, free run juice racked clear to stainless steel tank, inoculated and fermented cool; the pressings portion with some free run juice (27%) fermented in older French oak hogshead barrels with indigenous yeast. 14%, 4.5 g/l RS. 18.5+/20 (94 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $32
• Misha’s Vineyard Tempo Pinot Noir 2021, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 06-Sep-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep ruby-red with a purple hue, lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full, with bright aromas of blackberry, dark cherry and sweet spice. Medium-bodied, aromas of blackberry and dark cherry meld with vanilla, cinnamon and chocolate. Lively acidity enlivens the dark fruit and flows smoothly; supple tannins coat the palate in dark chocolate. This youthful Pinot Noir possesses straightforward fruit and line, decorated with spice and chocolatey tannin. Match with lamb koftas and roasted pork shoulder over the next 3-5 years. Fermented in open top fermenter with 27% whole bunches, cold soaked for 5-7 days, naturally fermented to 14% alc, 25 days on skins, racked to 300-litre French oak barrels for 9 months approx, 3% new oak. Inoculated MLF in barrels. 17/20 pts (85 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $30
• Misha’s Vineyard Cantata Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 06-Sep-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark ruby-red, lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full and expressive, with aromas of ripe plum and dark cherry intertwined with violet, vanilla and a hint of chocolate. Medium-full bodied, aromas of ripe plum, macerated dark cherry with underlined power, unfolding cinnamon, black pepper, milk chocolate and vanilla. The mouthfeel is smooth with a dusty coating. Balanced ripe fruit enriched by spices and power, brings a succulent dark-fruited finish. This is a youthful, appealing Pinot Noir with dark fruit, spice and an attractive, smooth, milk chocolate palate. Match with lamb and veal over the next 5 years. Fermented in open top fermenter with 10% whole bunches, cold soaked for 5-7 days, naturally fermented to 13.5% alc, 24 days on skins, racked to 300-litre French oak barrels for 9 months approx, 14% new oak. Inoculated MLF in barrels. 18+/20 pts (91 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $34
• Misha’s Vineyard The High Note Pinot Noir 2020, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 06-Sep-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep purple with a ruby hue, lighter on the rim. This has a full, enticing bouquet with good energy, penetrating macerated cherry, black raspberry, thyme, sweet vanilla and oak spice. Medium-bodied, macerated cherry and black raspberry form a rich core alongside thyme, bergamot, vanilla, cinnamon and nutmeg. The fruit shows concentration; lively acidity enlivens and lengthens the palate, and spices bring a warming and lengthy finish. Fine, silky tannins construct and frame the sweet fruit and spice details. This elegant, dark-fruited Pinot Noir shows beautifully structured mouthfeel and lively acidity. Match with roasted duck and lamb over the next 6-8 years. Cold soaked for 5-7 days, fermented naturally with 15% whole bunches to 14% alc, 24 days on skins, racked to 300-litre French oak barrels for 21 months approx, 29% new oak. Inoculated MLF in barrels. 18.5/20 pts (93 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $48
• Misha’s Vineyard Verismo Pinot Noir 2016, Central Otago
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Central Otago & Waitaki

  Review Date : 06-Sep-2022

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep ruby-black with a tinge of garnet, lighter on edge. The bouquet is gentle, with broody aromas slowly opening, filling the glass with dried cherry, raspberry, dark herbs, oak spice, and unfolding mushroom and forest undergrowth. Medium-full bodied, aromas of dried cherry, plum, raspberry entwined with violet, an amalgam of spice, and mushroom. Spices are growing and emphasising, unveiling thyme, liquorice and savoury development. The flavours are integrated harmoniously; silky tannin structure and balanced acidity provide vitality and strength. Enchanting, delicate spices and savoury details lend a satisfying, long finish. This aged release Pinot Noir shows excellent concentration of fruit and complexity, graceful development and a harmonious, lengthy finish. Match with shredded duck and slow-cooked lamb over the next 5 years. Cold soaked for 5-7 days, fermented naturally with 3% whole bunches to 14% alc, 27 days on skins, racked to 300-litre French oak barrels for 17 months approx, 32% new oak. Inoculated MLF in barrels in spring. 19/20 pts (95 pts) Sep 2022 RRP $85