Stanley Estates 2016 Sauvignon Blanc and 2014 ‘Block 8’ Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Stanley Estates ‘Single Vineyard’ Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 29-Sep-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw-yellow colour, lighter on the rim. This has a soft and ethereal nose with gently lifted aromas of passionfruit along with tropical fruit notes and fresh herbs, revealing some fresh fermentation esters. The aromatics build to form a concentrated core. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is crisp, racy and taut with tightly bound flavours of passionfruit entwined with fresh herbs, tropical fruits and nuances of minerals. The mouthfeel is concentrated and elegant in proportion with an underlying, fine-textured, grainy line. This is brisk and zesty, and the wine carries with energy, liveliness and tension to a long, slender, but tightly packed finish of passionfruit and minerals. This is a taut, concentrated, zesty and racy Sauvignon Blanc with fine, grainy textures and linearity. Serve as an aperitif and with seafood and salads over the next 2+ years. Fruit from the ‘Home’ block cool-fermented to 13.0% alc. and 2.1 g/L RS. 17.5/20 Sep 2016 RRP $22.95
• Stanley Estates ‘Block 8’ Awatere Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 30-Sep-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Ruby-red colour with some depth, lighter on the edge with slight purple hues. The bouquet is softly full and voluminous with aromas of dark red strawberry and red cherry fruit, unfolding a layer of red florals and subtly melded dark herb detail. The aromas are harmoniously entwined. Medium-full bodied, the palate is soft, rounded and harmoniously presented with gently mouthfilling flavours of dark red berry fruits along with soft red florals and nuances of dark herbs and spice. The mouthfeel is smooth and very finely structured with refined tannin extraction and integrated acidity. The palate builds in presence and leads to a full, sustained, fine textured finish of red fruits and florals with spice detail. This is a softly full, harmonious, red berry fruits and red florals with refined tannins. Match with poultry and pork over the next 5 years. Hand-picked fruit, clones 667 and 777, indigenous yeast ferment initiated then inoculated, to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 25% new French oak barriques. 650 dozen made. 18.0-/20 Sep 2016 RRP $27.95