Ribbonwood 2013 Whites and 2012 Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Ribbonwood Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 10-Sep-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues. The bouquet is softly fresh with an amalgam of gooseberry and passionfruit aromas, and some nettle-like cooler spectrum notes. Very dry to taste and medium-bodied, the flavours of gooseberries, passionfruit, herbs and nettles are carried by a firm-textured line. The fruit has some lusciousness, enhanced by good acidity, with the phenolics prevailing, resulting in a dry mouthfeel, which carries through to a lingering finish of tropical fruits and wet stones. This is a very dry, textural Sauvignon Blanc with cooler gooseberry and passionfruit flavours. Serve with Mediterranean salads and vegetable dishes over the next 2 years. Fruit from selected vineyards in the Wairau Valley fermented to 13.0% alc. and 4 g/L RS. 17.0-/20 Sep 2013 RRP $17.00
• Ribbonwood Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 10-Sep-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, soft, pale straw-yellow colour with green hues. The nose is subtle with gentle aromas of white florals, stonefruit and musk, lifted with floral fragrances and fresh herbs, and some mineral detail. Dryish to taste, elegant and shy flavours of white stonefruits and pears are carried by a fine-textured, linear palate. A little fruit sweetness shows and is well-balanced by fresh acidity and fine textures, resulting in a harmonious mouthfeel. This has alcohol drive and some warmth that leads to a clean, nuanced, aromatic finish. This is a light, dry Pinot Gris with a harmonious mouthfeel. Serve with tapas and Asian cuisine over the next 3 years. Fruit from different sub-regions including the Rapaura and Southern Valleys, fermented to 14.0% alc. and 6 g/L RS. 16.5+/20 Sep 2013 RRP $20.00
• Ribbonwood Marlborough Riesling 2013
  Riesling from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 10-Sep-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from the Wairau and Awatere Valleys fermented to 12.5% alc. and 17 g/L RS. Brilliant, pale straw colour with light green hues, pale on rim. The bouquet is open and voluminous with refreshing lime and lemon fruit aromas showing good depth, lifted with white florals and esters. Medium to taste and light-bodied, bold and up-front flavours of limes and lemon show with sweetness and lusciousness, and a soft, rounded mouthfeel. The palate has a good core and depth, with some phenolic textures and grip adding to the presence and weight. The wine has good drive, carrying through to a moderately long, citrus nuanced, dry finish. This is a bold-fruited, medium Riesling with luscious lemony flavours and a textural, dry finish. Serve as an aperitif and with mildly spicy foods over the next 3-4+ years. 17.0+/20 Sep 2013 RRP $20.00
• Ribbonwood Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 10-Sep-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Hand-picked fruit fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in new and seasoned French oak barriques. Bright ruby-red colour with good depth, lighter on rim. The nose is initially tight, but grows to show good intensity of dark red berry fruits, raspberries and liquorice with nuances of earth and seasoned oak. Medium-bodied, restrained flavours of dark raspberries and spiced cherry fruit are detailed by floral, herb and liquorice notes, the palate showing a good balance between fruit sweetness, lively and refreshing acidity and grainy, drying tannins. The mouthfeel is vibrant and textural with good energy that leads to a moderately long, dry finish. This Pinot Noir is restrained in its raspberry and cherry fruit expression but carries a lively, well-balanced mouthfeel. Serve with poultry, pork and Mediterranean fare over the next 4+ years. 17.0+/20 Sep 2013 RRP $25.00