10-Nov-2015
Rod McDonald resurrected the ‘Te Awanga Estate’ label in 2010, employing the Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Merlot fruit from the 17 ha vineyard overlooking the sea in the label again. For Rod, the ‘Te Awanga Estate’ brand is also about style – the elegance, aromatics and fruit-driven freshness that coastal and cool-climate vineyards bestow upon the wines. So in the varietals not already established in the coastal site, Rod has sourced fruit from other vineyards that possess the traits of cooler growing. Here, I review the new release 2014 Chardonnay and 2013 Syrah, the latter wine from fruit grown inland west of Hastings, as noted on the back label. www.rmwines.co.nz
