The Landing Bay of Islands 2016 and 2015 Chardonnay, and 2015 – 2013 Syrah

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• The Landing Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2016
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Northland & Auckland

  Review Date : 26-Sep-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light golden-hued yellow colour, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is softly fresh and full, with deep and concentrated aromas of ripe tropical fruit and citrus fruits, along with savoury mealy notes, creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak elements, unfolding a gentle layering of butterscotch MLF aromas. Medium-full bodied, the palate has good depth of ripe citrus and tropical fruits entwined with yellow stonefruits, complexed by creamy barrel-ferment, nutty oak, savoury mealiness and subtle butterscotch MLF. The mouthfeel is rounded, rich and succulent with some acid liveliness, and the wine carries to a sweet-fruited finish of tropical fruits and nutty oak. This is a ripe, sweet tropical and citrus-fruited Chardonnay with creamy and nutty oak, savoury mealy detail on a rich palate. Match with roast pork over the next 4+ years. Fruit WBP and barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in French oak barriques, on lees with approx. 85% MLF. 18.0-/20 Sep 2017 RRP $39.95
• The Landing Bay of Islands Chardonnay 2015
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Northland & Auckland

  Review Date : 26-Sep-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, yellow colour with lemon-green hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is full with aromas of fresh and ripe citrus fruit and yellow stonefruits entwined with nutty oak at the core, unveiling soft and subtle creamy barrel-ferment notes. The aromatics possess intensity and good freshness. Medium-full bodied, the palate has an elegantly concentrated heart of yellow stonefruit intermixed with creamy barrel-ferment and nutty complexity. The mouthfeel is fresh with excellent clarity, the palate with finesse, good acid cut, and drive. This has linearity, carrying the flavours of stonefruits, citrus fruits and nuts to a long and sustained finish. This is a fresh and bright citrussy Chardonnay with fine oaking and a bright, lively mouthfeel. Serve with seafood, poultry and pork dishes over the next 5+ years. Fruit WBP and barrel-fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in French oak barriques, on lees with approx. 85% MLF. 18.5/20 Sep 2017 RRP $39.95
• The Landing Bay of Islands Syrah 2015
  Syrah from New Zealand - Northland & Auckland

  Review Date : 26-Sep-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, black-red colour, near impenetrable, with slight purple hues, youthful in appearance. This has a soft and fresh nose with a concentrated core of ripe blackberry fruit along with plum and liquorice nuances, with black pepper, notes of earth and game, unveiling floral and mineral detail. Soft cedary oak aromatics open up with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate has sweet flavours of black fruits entwined with layers of plums, liquorice, game, earth and cedary complexities. The fruit richness is balanced by fine, grainy tannin structure with lacy acidity lending energy and liveliness. A savoury game and earthy amalgam carries the wine with good drive to a lingering finish. This is a sweet and succulently ripe fruited Syrah with blackberry and plum flavours and a complex game, earth and cedary amalgam, and fine-grained structure. Match with slow-cooked game meat over the next 6-8 years. Hand-picked MS clone fruit fermented to 13.7% alc., the wine aged 16 months in 30% new French oak barriques. 18.0/20 Sep 2017 RRP $38.00
• The Landing Bay of Islands Syrah 2014
  Syrah from New Zealand - Northland & Auckland

  Review Date : 26-Sep-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Very dark, deep, black-hearted red with slight purple hues, near impenetrable. The nose is firm with packed dark-red and black fruits entwined with minerally reduction, unveiling black pepper, spices, earth and floral elements. Medium-full bodied, the palate is firm and tightly bound with a deep and elegantly concentrated core of black-berried fruit entwined with spice and liquorice notes, black pepper, and hints of minerally reduction. The palate has fine-grained tannin extraction with balanced, integrated acidity. The wine has good linearity and drive, leading to an elegant finish. This is an elegantly concentrated, tightly bound, black-fruited Syrah with some minerally reductive notes on a fine-grained palate. Match with lamb, beef or venison dishes over the next 6-8 years. Hand-picked MS clone fruit fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 18 months in 30% new French oak barriques. 17.5/20 Sep 2017 RRP $38.00
• The Landing Bay of Islands Syrah 2013
  Syrah from New Zealand - Northland & Auckland

  Review Date : 26-Sep-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, dark, black-hued red, near impenetrable, with slight purple hues. The nose is softly full with gentle, near ethereal aromatics, featuring a black-fruited core with earth and mineral nuances, and some savoury dried herb and secondary earthy notes appearing. Medium-full bodied, the palate is rounded with a good core of ripe blackberry fruit harmoniously intermixed with savoury earthy notes and slight secondary dried herb elements. The mouthfeel is smooth and velvety, with fine-grained tannin extract and balanced acidity. The fruit has drive and line, carrying to a taut, fine-textured, lingering finish. This is a harmonious, fine-textured Syrah with some savoury secondary nuances. Match with casseroles and slow-cooked red meat dishes over the next 6+ years. Hand-picked MS clone fruit fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 18 months in 30% new French oak barriques. 18.0/20 Sep 2017 RRP $38.00