Sileni Estates ‘Measure & Guess’ 2017 Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

26-Oct-2017

Sileni Estates has over the years released innovatively packaged wines. The latest in this line is the ‘Measure & Guess’ range, "created with the demanding millennial wine enthusiast in mind”, quoting Sileni Estate’s press release. The range, consisting of 2017 Rosé, Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir is designed "to stir up curiosity”. Also in the range is the ‘Vine Hopper’, a beverage that combines an IPA with Sauvignon Blanc, this made "using the process of measuring science with a crafted guess”. Not being a millennial, I’m a little lost on the motives and aims for this range, and I suspect the wines are made by ’measuring science’ methods rather than a ‘guess’, knowing the production team at Sileni Estates! The story of ‘Measure & Guess” is that the wines and beer-wine beverage represent "life’s constant struggle. Like balancing a career with wanting to spontaneously escape with friends for a weekend away”. I suppose, I don’t quite get it as I’m too old! However, notable is the packaging and labelling, designed by ‘FONT’, a Havelock North design agency, which is bold and black 9or white) with golden font and intriguing, near-mystical images. My job is to review the wines objectively, and I do so here. www.sileni.co.nz

Mitchell Tavendale, Regional Wines Beer Ambassador

with the 'Measure & Guess' Vine Hopper

The ‘Measure & Guess’ Vine Hopper

As I don’t have any real expertise with beer-related products, I’ve asked Mitchell Tavendale, the Beer Ambassador at Regional Wines and Spirits, my former workplace, to offer his opinion on the ‘Vine Hopper’. This is technically a ‘fruit wine’. It is a blend of an IPA with Sauvignon Blanc, carrying 8.5% alc., and comes in 500 ml bottles. The RRP is $10.99. Mitchell notes "pale golden colour with a good head. Very good hoppy notes with some grassiness and passionfruit aromatics. The mid-palate has crispness and acidity, showing the fruitiness of the Sauvignon Blanc, and the finish has a good bitterness that is long and lingering. It’s actually pretty good.” Mitchell continues the tradition of beer expertise at Regional Wines & Spirits, started by founder, the late Grant Jones who began stocking craft beers long before almost anyone else in the country.

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Sileni Estates ‘Measure & Guess’ Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2017
  Rose from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 25-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale salmon-pink colour, lighter on the rim. This has a fresh, tightly bound nose with aromas of white stonefruits and suggestions of red florals, with thirst-quenching chalky mineral notes. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has very light and delicate flavours of white stonefruits and minerals with nuances of red fruits. The palate has fresh, lacy acidity and the wine flows along a light, dry, textural line, leading to a clean finish of stonefruits and chalky minerals. This is a very delicately fruited dry rosé with mouthwatering mineral flavours and a fresh, clean palate. This is reminiscent of the Provencal style of rosé. Serve as an aperitif, and with canapes over the next 18 months. A blend of 97% Merlot and 3% Cabernet Franc fruit going direct to press and cool-fermented to 12.5% alc. and 4.5 g/L RS. 15.5+/20 Oct 2017 RRP $23.99
• Sileni Estates ‘Measure & Guess’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2017
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 25-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw colour with slight green hues, near colourless. The nose is elegantly presented with soft and light aromas of passionfruit harmoniously entwined with gooseberries, along with nettle notes and subtle mineral nuances. Dry to taste and light-medium bodied, the palate possesses light, but up-front flavours of passionfruit and gooseberries with herb, nettle and white florals. The mouthfeel is refreshing with brisk acidity, and the flavours follows a fine-textured line. As the wine flows, the flavours recede, leading to an uncomplicated finish. This is a light, clean and refreshing Sauvignon Blanc with delicate passionfruit, gooseberry and nettle flavours. Serve as an aperitif, with seafood, and salads and vegetables over the next 18 months to 2 years. Marlborough fruit cool-fermented in tank to 12.0% alc., some blend components seeing lees contact. 16.0/20 Oct 2017 RRP $23.99
• Sileni Estates ‘Measure & Guess’ Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2017
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 25-Oct-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Light ruby-red colour with some depth, paler on the rim with slight purple hues. The nose is up-front with bold primary fruit aromas of dark raspberries and cherries with lifted dark-red floral notes and whole berry fermentation jam and confectionary notes. This has moderate concentration and depth on the nose. Medium-bodied, the palate has up-front, aromatic fruit with cherries and raspberries along with floral and confectionary elements. The fruit is light and uncomplicated, quite primary in expression, and is carried along a gentle and accessible palate line to a light finish. This is a light, up-front, primary fruited Pinot Noir with uncomplicated flavours of cherries and raspberries. Serve with antipasto, tapas and Asian fare over the next 12 – 18 months. Hawke’s Bay fruit fermented to 12.5% alc., the wine receiving a little oak contact. 16.0+/20 Oct 2017 RRP $23.99