Pasquale – Realising the Waitaki and Hakataramea Potential

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Pasquale Waitaki Valley Pinot Grigio 2011
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 25-Jun-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw colour, pale on rim. This has a concentrated and compact nose of white stonefruits, pears with hints of herbs, along with flint and mineral aromas. Dry, crisp and light-weighted, flinty flavours feature on the palate, with a good core, enlivened by brisk acidity. There is balance, resulting in a relatively soft-textured, but fresh mouthfeel which opens to a full finish with breadth. Clean minerally flavours show with some length. This is a soft, but fresh and flinty Pinot Grigio style to serve as an aperitif or with seafood over the next 2-3 years. Fruit from 5 y.o. vines from the Waitaki Valley, fermented partially with indigenous yeasts to 13.5% alc. and <2 g/L rs, 25% in oak. 256 cases made. 16.5/20 Jun 2012 RRP $34.00
• Pasquale Hakataramea Valley Arneis 2011
  Arneis from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 25-Jun-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from 6 y.o. vines from the Hakataramea Valley, fermented to 12.5% alc. and <2 g/L rs, partially by indigenous yeasts, 35% in oak French oak. Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues. Light, subtle and delicate aromas of white florals with minerally elements show with faint nuances of nuts emerging with some intensity. Dry to taste, steely white floral and mineral flavours build on the palate. The wine has a restrained expression, but possesses good weight, vinous presence and linear drive. Subtle textures are apparent, with crisp acidity providing a quenching, dry. clean and pure finish. This is a refreshingly dry and crisp Arneis that has subtle weight and vinosity. Match with antipasto and seafood over the next 2-3+ years. 318 cases made. 17.0/20 Jun 2012 RRP $34.00
• Pasquale Waitaki Valley Gewurztraminer 2011
  Gewurztraminer from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 25-Jun-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, lemon-hued straw colour. This is very elegant and delicate on nose, yet with a good core of pure rose-petal florals, attractively lifted with a little mineral detail emerging in the glass. Dry to taste, restrained flavours of Turkish Delight and ginger intermingle with savoury musk notes, and a little alcohol warmth stands out. This has good body and drive, with a firmness to the palate, along with a fine textural thread, but the mouthfeel is rounded. The wine fishes with warmth and some generosity along with the classic varietal bitterness. This is a detailed Gewurztraminer with good body and presence. Match with Middle Eastern cuisine and semi-hard cheeses over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from 6 y.o. vines from the Waitaki Valley, partially wild yeast fermented to 14.0% alc. and <2 g/L rs, 60% in old French oak. 644 cases made. 17.5/20 Jun 2012 RRP $32.00
• Pasquale Waitaki Valley Riesling 2010
  Riesling from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 25-Jun-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, very pale straw colour with green hues. The bouquet is very tightly bound showing lifted aromas of green apples with mineral and flinty reductive notes interwoven with the fruit. Off-dry and light-bodied, this is very delicate with subtle flavours of lemon and citrus fruits, white florals and honey, enlivened by mouthwatering, softly elevated levels of acidity. The subtle sweetness and honied elements contribute to fine textures which carry through to a gentle floral finish with a little flintiness. This delicate, softly racy Riesling has a little flinty reduction at present. It will integrate with the complex bottle-age characters over the next 4-5+ years. Serve as an aperitif or with delicate seafood dishes. Hand-picked fruit from 3-6 y.o. vines in the Waitaki Valley, WBP and fermented to 12.0% alc. and 8.7 g/L rs. 725 dozen made. 17.0+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $30.00
• Pasquale Waitaki Valley Pinot Gris 2010
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 25-Jun-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Barrie and 2/15 clones fruit from 3-5 y.o. vines in the Waitaki Valley, hand-picked and WBP, then tank fermented to 14.0% alc. and 6.3 g/L rs. Brilliant pale straw-yellow colour with slight lemon-green hues. The nose is very fine and elegantly proportioned with aromas of white stonefruit, pear and minerals, delicately expressed, along with a savoury reductive nuance. Off-dry to taste, delicately poised sweetness and acidity underlines subtle fruit flavours of white stonefruits, honey and spices. The palate has a light core, carried a little by the sweetness, but remains lively and bright from the racy acid. The wine has a moderately long finish with honey and pear flavours. This is an elegant and delicate Pinot Gris with freshness and some attractive sweetness. Match with Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine over the next 3-4 years. 1,325 dozen made. 17.5/20 Jun 2012 RRP $27.00
• Pasquale Waitaki Valley Pinot Noir 2010
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 25-Jun-2012

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, deep, dark ruby-red colour with black hues, and garnet on rim. The bouquet is full and deeply packed with aromas of black cherry fruits along with unfolding secondary savoury notes of forest-floor, dried herbs and minerals, expressed with great clarity. Medium-bodied, dark berry fruit flavours layered with mushroom, undergrowth and dark herbs are harmoniously integrated. While the fruit has depth and is rich with sweetness, it flows ethereally and seamlessly across the palate. Lacy acidity adds to the juiciness and energy, but there is a little alcohol noticeable. Very fine and supple tannins carry the flavours to a very long, nuanced finish. This seamless and refined Pinot Noir has richness and is now developing secondary complexities. Match with firm-flesh seafood, poultry and pork over the next 5-6 years. Clones 667, 777, 5 and 115 from 5 y.o. vines in the Waitaki Valley, the fruit given a cold soak and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged in 28% new French oak barrels. 425 cases made. 18.5+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $49.00