Mission Estate ‘Reserve’ 2015 Pinot Noir, 2016 Syrah and 2014 Cabernet Merlot

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Mission ‘Barrique Reserve’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 30-May-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Moderately deep, dark ruby-red colour, lighter on the rim. This has a firm nose with good depth of bright, ripe fruit aromas of dark red cherries and berries along with subtle, fragrant red floral notes, unveiling nuances of herbs and nutty oak. Medium-full bodied, the palate has bright and vibrant dark-red cherry and berry fruit flavours entwined with subtle herb and floral elements. Savoury detail and resinous oak suggestions add to the interest. The mouthfeel is juicy and sweet, and the fruit is balanced by fine-grained tannin structure, and fresh, lacy acidity. The wine carries with good linearity to a lingering finish of dark-red cherries, herbs and nuts. This is a rich and sweetly fruited Pinot Noir with cherry and berry flavours along with subtle floral and herb, and savoury notes on a fresh, fine-textured palate. Match with eild duck or pork over the next 5-6 years. Fruit from a single vineyard on Lake Ferry Road destemmed and fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine on skins 8 days post ferment and aged 12 months in 10% new French oak barriques. 17.5+/20 May 2017 RRP $29.00
• Mission ‘Barrique Reserve’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 30-May-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the edge. The nose is elegantly concentrated and intense with penetrating aromas of fragrant blackberried fruit along with violet florals and subtle notes of black and white pepper, unveiling spice elements. This shows attractive finesse and poise. Medium-full bodied, the palate is finely concentrated with tightly bound, aromatic fruit flavours of blackberries and dark raspberries, entwined with violet florals and notes of spices, and black and white pepper. The palate has fine-grained tannins and balanced, softly integrated acidity supporting the fruit. The wine flows with good energy and poise, leading to an elegant, tightly bound finish with sweet fruit and spice detail. This is an elegant, fragrant Syrah with blackberry and raspberry fruit along with violet, black and white pepper lift on a fine-grained palate. Match with Middle Eastern fare over the next 5-6 years. MS clone fruit from the ‘Gimblett Road’ vineyard, hand-picked and fermented to 13.8% alc., the wine spending 15 days on skins post ferment and aged 10 months in 15% new French oak. 18.0+/20 May 2017 RRP $29.00
• Mission ‘Reserve’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet/Merlot 2014
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 30-May-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim. The bouquet is softly full and richly concentrated with aromas of ripe blackcurrant, blackberry and dark plum fruit harmoniously layered with spices and cedary oak, unfolding complexing savoury secondary earth detail. Medium-full bodied, the palate has well-concentrated and deep flavours of ripe blackcurrants, blackberries and plums melded with spice notes and cedary oak. The flavours are underlined by fine-grained, supple tannin structure and integrated acidity. The palate weight builds, with complexing secondary, savoury earth and cedar layers unfolding, to carry to a long, fine-textured, lingering finish. This is a richly concentrated Cabernet/Merlot with ripe black fruit flavours layered with spicy and cedary oak and complex secondary elements on a fine-textured palate. Match with roast lamb, beef and venison dishes over the next 7-8+ years. A blend of 67% Cabernet Sauvignon from the ‘Gimblett Road’ vineyard and 33% Merlot from the ‘Mere Road’ block, fermented to 13.7% alc., the wine spending 2 weeks on skins post ferment and aged 12 months in 20% new French oak barriques. 18.5+/20 May 2017 RRP $29.00