Summerhouse Sauvignon, Verdelho, Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir Releases

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Summerhouse Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, near colourless on the rim. The nose is tightly bound and finely proportioned with softly concentrated aromas of passionfruit, tropical fruits and white florals along with subtle notes of fresh herbs, unfolding mineral detail. Dry to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate is soft and plush with gently luscious, juicy and penetrating flavours of aromatic passionfruit and tropical fruit, entwined with white florals and fresh herbs. The mouthfeel is soft with fine, drying phenolics to balance the fruitiness, and the acidity integrated, lending a mouthwatering texture. The flavours build in richness and carry to a long, lingering aromatic finish of passionfruit, herbs and tropical fruits. Serve with Pacific Rim fare over the next 2 years. Fruit 65% from the Awatere Valley and 35% from the Southern Valleys, cool-fermented to 13.5% alc. and 3.6 g/L RS, the wine aged on lees. 18.5-/20 Dec 2016 RRP $22.90
• Summerhouse Marlborough Verdelho 2015
  Verdelho from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, even, light lemon-hued gold colour, a little paler on the edge. The nose is fresh with intense and bright aromas of white stonefruits intermingling with a layer of tropical fruits along with spicy, nutty oak. The aromatics are mouthwatering and steely, providing cut to the oak and fruit. Dry to taste and full-bodied, the palate has a solidly packed heart with lively and vibrant flavours of ripe tropical fruits and citrus fruits, along with a layering of spicy, nutty oak. The flavours are mouthfilling and the palate guided by light, grainy phenolics and fresh lacy acidity lending drive and linearity. This is a bright and lively dry Verdelho with flavours of tropical fruits and spicy oak, supported by grainy structure. The wine leads to a strong and positive, long lingering finish of tropical fruit and oak. Match with grilled and roasted seafood, poultry and pork over the next 3+ years. Fruit from the Lower Wairau/Rapaura district, fermented in tank to 14.5% alc. and 2.3 g/L RS, the wine aged 10 months in 100% seasoned French oak, with no MLF. 18.0-/20 Dec 2016 RRP $22.90
• Summerhouse Marlborough Pinot Gris 2015
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with some pale gold hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is initially restrained in aromatic expression showing white stonefruit and pears, along with nutty and mineral elements, unfolding white florals from a tightly concentrated core, revealing some nutty oak. Dryish to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate possesses a rounded, but deep core of rich yellow stonefruits and pear fruit along with lifted white floral, nutty and mineral nuances, and spicy oak. The wine has good mouthfeel and presence with light, grainy structure and grip, and soft, integrated acidity. The wine carries to a positive, lingering finish of stonefruits and pears. This is a dryish Pinot Gris with good depth and presence of moderately rich stonefruit and pear flavours along with spicy oak and a light, grainy-structured palate. Match with most white meat courses over the next 3+ years. Marlborough fruit approx. 50% fermented in seasoned French oak barriques, partially with indigenous yeasts to 14.0% alc. and 6.4 g/L RS, the wine aged on lees. 17.5+/20 Dec 2016 RRP $22.90
• Summerhouse Marlborough Chardonnay 2014
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, lemon-hued, light golden-yellow colour, paler on edge. The bouquet is tightly bound with finely concentrated and intense aromas of bright citrus fruits layered with spicy oak, unfolding nuances of oak resin, toast and bacon elements, and lemon-curd MLF. Medium-bodied, the palate has a tight core of citrus fruit melded with distinctive spicy oak. The oak has subtle resinous, toast and bacon nuances which add detail and interest. The mouthfeel is smooth-flowing with very fine underlying phenolics and vibrant, brisk acidity lending energy and drive. The citrus and oak flavours lead to a long and sustained finish with soft acidity, fine grip and spicy oak. This is a well-concentrated citrus-fruited Chardonnay with distinctive spicy oak on a smooth, energetic palate. Match with grilled and roasted seafood over the next 3-4 years. Clone 95 fruit hand-picked and fully barrel-fermented, a small portion by indigenous yeasts to 13.5% alc. and 2.8 g/L RS, the wine aged 9 months in 36% new French oak, undergoing batonnage, with approx. 50% MLF. 17.5-/20 Dec 2016 RRP $22.90
• Summerhouse Marlborough Pinot Noir 2015
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Dec-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, youthful in appearance. The nose is tightly bound and well concentrated unfolding intense fragrant aromas of dark red cherry and berry fruit along with some minerally reduction. Dark herbs, dark-red and violet florals unfold, along with nuances of red liquorice to add detail. Medium-full bodied, the palate is tightly bound with finely proportioned, but intense flavours of dark-red cherry and berry fruits along with soft notes of dark herbs, spices and liquorice. The fruit is enlivened by fresh, piquant acidity and the wine is carried along a fine-grained tannin line, the structure providing support. This has good linearity, and the wine leads to a bright, energetic and vibrant finish with dark cherry and liquorice notes. This is an elegant Pinot Noir with intense dark cherry fruit, and spices and liquorice nuances, along with fresh acidity and fine tannin structure. Match with poultry and pork dishes over the next 4-5+ years. Fruit from the Southern Valleys fermented with 6% whole bunches and a portion of whole berries to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 9 months in 22% new French oak barriques. 18.0/20 Dec 2016 RRP $35.90