Sherwood ‘Waipara Collection’ 2013 Pinot Noir and Syrah, and 2011 LH Chardonnay

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Sherwood Estate ‘Waipara Collection’ ‘Nor’wester’ Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2013
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 22-Aug-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, ruby-red colour with garnet hues, lighter on the edge. The bouquet is soft and elegant with complex interwoven aromas of savoury dark-red berry fruit melded with secondary earthy notes, dried herbs and fresh herbs, along with suggestions of resinous and cedary oak. The nose is softly integrated and possesses density. Medium-bodied, rich and sweetly luscious flavours of savoury, ripe red berry fruits are entwined with dark plums and dark herbs and nuances of liquorice and oak. Some secondary interest is emerging. The flavours are harmoniously integrated and flow along a fine, firmly concentrated line with gentle acidity. This has a rounded core with good presence and linearity, carrying the wine to a softly packed finish of savoury dark berry fruit. This is a harmonious Pinot Noir savoury dark-red berry fruit and layers of herbs and oak, along with the beginnings of secondary complexity. Match with wild duck and pork over the next 4-5 years. Named after the prominent wind which blows in spring and early summer. Fruit from the ‘Stirling’, ‘Church Road’ and ‘Terrace’ vineyards, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 25 days on skins and aged 12 months in 25% new French oak barriques. 18.0+/20 Aug 2016 RRP $29.95
• Sherwood Estate ‘Waipara Collection’ ‘R D 1’ Waipara Valley Syrah 2013
  Syrah from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 22-Aug-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued red with light garnet hues on the rim. The nose is very elegantly concentrated and finely expressed with aromas of dark-red berry fruits, dried plums, liquorice black pepper, and an amalgam of Middle Eastern spices, savoury secondary dried herbs and cedary oak, Medium-bodied, the palate features bright and lusciously lively flavours of spicy dark red berry fruits, plums and liquorice, pepper and cedary oak. The fruit is enlivened by bright, lacy acidity, providing the palate with energy and tension. Fine grained tannins add to the fruit concentration and structure, and secondary dried herb complexities emerge with pepper, cedar and spices as the wine leads to a long, lingering, fine-textured finish. This is an elegantly concentrated, lively, sweet-fruited Syrah with spices and savoury secondary complexities, and fine structure. Match with Middle Eastern fare over the next 5-7 years. Named after the Rural Delivery mail service for farmers. Fruit from the ‘Terrace’ vineyard, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 30 days on skins and aged 21 months in 25% new French oak barriques. 18.5/20 Aug 2016 RRP $29.95
• Sherwood Estate ‘Heritage Collection’ ‘Golden Drought’ Waipara Valley Late Harvest Chardonnay 2011
  Sweet Wine from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 22-Aug-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, even, golden-yellow colour with light orange hues and some depth. This has a finely concentrated and firm nose with aromas of ripe citrus fruits, marmalade, exotic tropical fruits, with some volatile lift, unfolding crystallised fruits, nutty oak nuances and suggestions of toffee. Very sweet to taste and light-bodied, the palate has a moderately unctuous and softly concentrated core of ripe citrus and tropical fruits, some lift, marmalade, honey and crystallised fruits. The fruit richness and opulence is balanced by fine textures and fresh, underlying acidity lending a fine, positive line. The wine carries to a long finish of crystallised fruits, honey, nutty oak and toffee nuances. This is a rich, softly concentrated, decadent dessert wine with citrus and tropical fruits, some lift, and fine textural and acid balance. Match with crème caramel, crème brulee and baked desserts over the next 4-5+ years. Heavily botrytised fruit from the ‘Glasnevin’ vineyard, hand-picked and barrel-fermented to 9.5% alc. and 250 g/L RS, TA 9.5 g/L and pH 3.7, the wine aged 9 months on lees in 15% new oak. (375 ml) 18.5/20 Aug 2016 RRP $25.95