Te Kairanga 2018 Rosé and Pinot Gris, and 2017 Chardonnay and Pinot Noirs

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Te Kairanga Martinborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2018
  Rose from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 26-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very pale candyfloss pink with some depth, very light on the rim. The nose is fresh, clean and bright with mouthwatering aromas of strawberries and cream, cherries, fragrant red florals, a little confectionary with some fresh fermentation esters lift. Dry to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate has fresh aromatic flavours of strawberries and cream, cherries, bright red florals along with confectionary and fresh fermentation esters that lift the wine. The mouthfeel features very fine phenolic textures that lend a thirst-quenching flow, with balanced acid freshness. The wine carries to a long, lingering, aromatic finish. This is a bright and vibrant dry rosé with strawberries and cream, florals and confectionary flavours on a mouthwatering palate. Match with canapés, antipasto and tapas over the next 2 years. Abel clone Pinot Noir from the ‘Spring Rock’ vineyard, fermented in stainless-steel and seasoned oak to 13.5% alc. and 2.83 g/L RS, the wine aged 2 months on oak. 1,570 dozen made. 17.5/20 Aug 2018 RRP $23.00
• Te Kairanga Martinborough Pinot Gris 2018
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 26-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, lighter edged. The nose is elegant in presentation with bright aromas of white and yellow stonefruits along with exotic floral notes, pears and fresh fermentation esters. Dry to taste and medium-full bodied, the palate is bright and vibrant with succulently rich fruit flavours of white and yellow stonefruits, exotic florals, pears and honeysuckle. Some fermentation esters add lifted detail and fragrance. This has an elegantly concentrated core and flows with good energy along a fine-textured line with fresh acidity, leading to a lingering finish. A little lifted on the nose, this is a vibrant and lively dry Pinot Gris with stonefruit, pear and floral flavours on a fine-textured, lively palate. Serve with Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine over the next 3+ years. Fruit from the ‘Home’, ‘Fraters’ and ‘Edwards’ vineyards, fermented partially with indigenous yeasts in stainless-steel, with 15% in seasoned oak to 14.0% alc. and 2.83 g/L RS, the wine aged 3 months in oak. 830 dozen made. 17.5+/20 Aug 2018 RRP $22.00
• Te Kairanga Martinborough Chardonnay 2017
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 26-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with pale golden hues, lighter on the edge. The nose is light but taut in expression with a core of fresh white and yellow stonefruits with subtle notes of citrus fruit, and fine nutty oak elements. This is well-proportioned. Medium-bodied, the palate has an elegant heart with finely concentrated flavours of white and yellow stonefruits and citrus fruit, along with nutty interest. The flavours are up-front and are supported by a light, phenolic-textured line with balanced acid freshness carrying the wine to a light, lingering finish. This is an elegant but up-front Chardonnay with fresh stonefruit flavours and subtle nutty notes. Match with seafood and poultry over the next 3+ years. Martinborough fruit, 48.2% Mendoza clone, 33.1% clone 95, 16.6% clone 6 and 2.1% clone 15, fully indigenous yeast barrel-fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 15% new French oak, with 100% MLF. 1,500 dozen made. 17.0+/20 Aug 2018 RRP $24.00
• Te Kairanga Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 26-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, light garnet-hued ruby-red colour, paler edged. The nose is softly full and easy with accessible aromas of strawberries entwined with fresh herb notes and soft red florals. The aromatics are fresh and uncomplicated and are situated in the cooler spectrum. Medium-bodied, the palate has softly rich and luscious flavours of savoury strawberries with fresh and dark herbs and lifted red florals. The flavours form a softly concentrated core with fine, grainy tannins lending dry structure and light acidity which initially enlivens the palate, then carries structure and grip. The flavours of strawberries and herbs lead to a lingering finish. This is a softly rich and textured Pinot Noir with cooler-spectrum strawberry and herbal flavours with some acid freshness. Match with poultry and pork over the next 3 years. Fruit from the ‘Rua’, ‘Fraters’, ‘Spring Rock’ and ‘Home’ vineyards, clones Abel, 5, 6, 777, 667, 114, 113, 115 and 10/5, fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 20% new French oak. 6,025 dozen made. 16.5/20 Aug 2018 RRP $28.00
• Te Kairanga ‘Runholder’ Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 26-Aug-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, ruby-red colour a little lighter on the rim with slight purple hues. The nose is softly concentrated and packed with ripe aromas of dark-red and black-berried fruits, melded with some notes of plums, along with dark herbs and some oak lift. Medium-bodied, the palate has a robust, juicy core with ripe dark-red and black fruits, along with notes of plums and spice, herbs and a little oak. The fruit richness is supported by fine-grained, savoury tannins with balanced acidity. The wine carries to a long and sustained finish of dark-red fruits. This is a rich and vibrant Pinot Noir with good depth of sweet berried fruit with plum and spice notes on a fine-textured palate. Match with lamb, beef and venison over the next 5-6 years. Fruit from the ‘Home’ and ’McLeods’ vineyards, 46% Abel, 29% clone 6, 10% clone 5, 7% 777, 4% 13 and 4% 115ully destemmed and fermented, partially with indigenous yeasts to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 20% new French oak. 3,770 dozen made. 18.5/20 Aug 2018 RRP $34.00