Mission 2016 ‘VS’ Sauvignon, 2015 Estate Syrah and 2014 Estate Merlot

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Mission ‘Vineyard Selection’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 27-Jun-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is soft and gently full with aromas of passionfruit and gooseberries entwined harmoniously with notes of cut grass and nettles. The aromatics build to show a tight core. Dryish to taste, the palate features soft, bright and juicy, up-front flavours of sweetly ripe passionfruit entwined seamlessly with soft cut grass and nettle nuances. The fruit is lifted by white floral fragrances. Some phenolic textures emerge to lend a balancing dryness to the fruit, and light, lacy acidity lends energy and tension as the wine flows to a crisp, dry, fine-textured, lingering finish of passionfruit and grass. This is a soft, up-front, juicy, passionfruity Sauvignon Blanc with cut grass flavours and a fine, dry mouthfeel. Fruit from the ‘D’ block of the company’s Blind River vineyards, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.4% alc. and 5g/L RS. 17.0/20 Jun 2016 RRP $19.99
• Mission Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 27-Jun-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, moderately deep, even ruby-red colour, youthful in appearance. This has an elegantly presented nose with softly voluminous aromas of fragrant blackberry fruits alongside white and black pepper, and nuances of liquorice and spices. Some delicate herb, violet floral and white pepper elements with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate possesses attractively juicy, up-front fruit flavours of blackberries entwined with white and black pepper, and hints of spice and liquorice. The mouthfeel is easy, smooth and rounded with soft tannin extraction and integrated acidity. The palate is harmonious and balanced and the rounded core carries to a soft and sweet fruited finish with pepper and spice. This is a soft, up-front, plush and juicy black-fruited Syrah with pepper, liquorice and spices flavours on a smooth palate. Match with lamb and venison and Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 3 years. Fruit from the Bridge Pa Triangle and inland sites, fermented to 13.3% alc., the wine spending 20 days on skins post ferment and bottled without oak influence. 16.5+/20 Jun 2016 RRP $15.99
• Mission Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014
  Merlot from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 27-Jun-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, even ruby-red colour, little lighter edged. The nose is tightly bound and firmly concentrated with packed aromas of black berried fruits, dark herbs, currants and mint, the aromatics a little raw and peppery, still very primary in expression. Medium-full bodied, this has a concentrated core of blackberry and blackcurrant fruits along with dark, aromatic herbs and suggestions of stalkiness. The mouthfeel is refreshingly youthful and firm with fine-grained tannin extraction, with balanced, mouthwatering acidity. The fruit sweetness is enhanced by the acidity and carries with grip to a lively, brisk finish of blackcurrants and herbs. This is a youthfully fresh and bright fruited, tight and firmly packed Merlot with blackberry, blackcurrant and herbal flavours. Serve with herb-marinated, barbecued red meat dishes over the next 3-4 years. Merlot fruit with 7% Cabernet Franc and Malbec from inland sites including Ohiti Road, the Bridge Pa Triangle and the Gimblett Gravels, fermented to 13.6% alc., the wine spending 7-20 days on skins post ferment and bottled without oak contact. 16.5/20 Jun 2016 RRP $15.99