The Writer’s Block – Archive

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• The Writer’s Block Lowburn Central Otago Pinot Gris 2013
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 03-Aug-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, full, lemon-hued straw-yellow colour, lighter on rim. This has a softly concentrated nose with a compex array of lifted exotic floral and savoury yellow stonefruit aromas, along with layers of minerals and honeysuckle, expressed with an underlying freshness. Dryish to taste, softly presented and gently luscious flavours of yellow stonefruits with subtle savoury floral, honey, mineral and earthy elements build to form a fine-textured, rounded core. The mouthfeel is smooth flowing and shows good piquant acid tension, providing good energy. Some alcoholic drive adds to the linearity, leasing to a fresh, elegant, sustained finish with stonefruit notes. This is a fresh, fine-textured, dry Pinot Gris with a gently complex array of lush and savoury flavours. Serve as an aperitif, with antipasto and tapas over the next 3-4 years. Pinot Gris from the ‘Packspur’ vineyard, Lowburn, WBP and fermented on full solids in stainless-steel barrel to 13.4% alc. and dryness, the wine aged 10 months on lees with 100% MLF with SO2 addition only prior to bottling, the wine unfiltered. 25 cases made. 18.0/20 Jun 2014 RRP $30.00 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block ’Last Chance’ Northburn Station Central Otago Chardonnay 2014
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 14-Dec-2015

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant straw-yellow colour with light golden hues at the heart, pale edged. The nose is full and up-front with savoury and nutty yellow stonefruit aromas alongside citrus fruit elements, nuts and minerals, unfolding gentle, but rich layers of creamy, nutty barrel ferment and oak notes, melded with lemon-curd and butterscotch MLF elements in a complex, interwoven amalgam. This grows in depth and richness in the glass. Medium-full bodied, he mouthfeel is rich and generous with a complex range of flavours. Yellow stonefruits, citrus fruit, nuts and earthy, mineral notes unfold layers of aromatic, creamy oak with toasty elements entwined with lemon-curd and butterscotch MLF flavours. This palate is openly accessible, but underlined by fine textures and structure, with soft, integrated acidity. The creaminess carries the wine to a long, dry finish with savoury, nutty and creamy flavours. This is a full, up-front, open Chardonnay with savoury nutty flavours and creamy oak and MLF layers. Match with poultry and pork over the next 3-4 years. Mendoza, clone 15 and 95 fruit from vines planted 2010. Indigenous yeast fermented in a 2 y.o. 500 L oak puncheon to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 18 months in the puncheon, undergoing batonnage and practically full MLF. 55 cases made. 18.0-/20 Dec 2015 RRP $29.00 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block ‘Heritage Block’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 07-Dec-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues. This has a tightly bound and elegantly proportioned nose with cool and refreshing red cherry fruit infused with fresh thyme herbs and pepper, lifted by fragrant red florals. Medium-bodied, refined and elegantly concentrated fruit flavours of red cherries, fresh herbs and violet and red florals show a cooler-spectrum expression. The palate has balanced, fine-grained tannin extraction supporting the fruit, with soft, lacy acidity enhancing the bright liveliness. The wine follows a graceful core and line, leading to a pretty, aromatic, nuanced finish of cherries and florals. This is an elegantly refined, fresh Pinot Noir with cherry and floral fruit. Serve with antipasto, firm-fleshed seafood and poultry over the next 4-5 years. Clones 667, 115, 114, 777 and 10/5 from vines planted in 2002, from the ‘Leaning Rock’ vineyard, Alexandra, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine spending 25 days on skins and aged 11 months in 20% new French oak. 100 dozen made. 17.5/20 Nov 2014 RRP $32.95 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block ‘Novella’ Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 29-Jun-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Moderately deep, dark ruby-red colour with slight purple hues, lighter on the rim. This has an elegantly proportioned nose with ethereal perfumes of dark red berry and black cherry fruit along with violet floral and fresh herbal elements and nuances of minerals. Medium-bodied, the palate is bright and vibrant with fresh, finely succulent, fruit flavours of dark red cherry fruit enlivened by brisk, lacy acidity. This has a finely concentrated core with fine-grained tannin extraction and mouthwatering acidity. The flavours carry with good tension and energy to a lingering finish with a subtle amalgam of red fruits, herbs and minerals. This is a bright and fresh, red cherry flavoured Pinot Noir with light textures, refreshing acidity and focussed fruit flavours. Match with poultry and pork, and Asian cuisine over the next 3+ years. Clones 5, 777, 115 and 667, 95% from a Bannockburn site and 5% from a Northburn vineyard, fermented to 13.5% alc. with 18% whole bunches and aged 18 months in seasoned oak, 33% being 1 y.o.. 110 cases available. 17.5/20 Jul 2016 RRP $32.95 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 18-Oct-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even garnet red colour, lighter on the rim with a little bricking. The bouquet is ethereal with fragrant aromas of red cherry and berry fruit melded with layers of herbs and spices, notes of cedar and lifted red florals, unfolding herbal detail in the glass. Medium-full bodied, the palate possesses juicy and lively flavours of red berries and cherries harmoniously entwined with secondary flavours of spices and cedar, dried herbs and lifted red florals. This has a fine core and light, fine-grained tannins in support and the mouthfeel is enlivened by bright, lacy acidity lending tension and energy to the flow. As the wine leads to the slender, lingering finish, notes of spice and cedar unfold prevail. This is an elegant, ethereal and fragrant Pinot Noir with red cherry fruit complexed by secondary spice and cedar notes on a light-textured, brisk palate. Match with game meat and semi-hard cheeses over the next 4 years. This is Clones 115 and 777 fruit from selected rows from a single Bannockburn vineyard, the vines planted in 2002, indigenous yeast fermented with 25% whole bunch to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in one-third new French oak barrels. 50 cases made. 18.0-/20 Oct 2016 RRP $N/A Moderately dark ruby-red colour with garnet hues, a little lighter on rim. This has a firm, intense nose with aromas of dark red berry fruit and dried, spicy herbs complexed by reductive elements and a little oak toast and resin. Medium full-bodied, bright and vibrant dark red berry fruit flavours are intermixed with dark herbs, a touch of minerally reduction, toast and oak elements. The palate has excellent acid liveliness underling the flow, with fine-grained tannins in support. The acidity and subtle firmness drives the flavours to a long and sustained, juicy finish. This is a finely concentrated and vibrant Pinot Noir with reductive and savoury complexities. Serve with roasted red meats and Mediterranean inspired fare over the next 6-7 years. Clones 115 and 777 fruit from selected rows from a single Bannockburn vineyard, the vines planted in 2002, indigenous yeast fermented with 25% whole bunch to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in one-third new French oak barrels. 18.0-/20 Jun 2013 RRP $50.00 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 18-Oct-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red with garnet hues on a lighter edge. The bouquet is firmly concentrated with vigorous aromas of ripe black berried fruits along with savoury dark herbs and subtle layers of game and undergrowth, the aromatics showing some secondary complexity. Nuances of black florals and mineral unfold with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the mouthfeel is full, soft and rounded with sweet, ripe black berried fruits with notes of plums at the core Layers of dried herbs, minerals, savoury game and secondary undergrowth provide complexing interest. The fruit is supported by supple tannin extraction and soft, integrated acidity lending a plush mouthfeel. The wine flows smoothly to a soft, long finish of black fruits and minerals. This is a fulsome and sweetly rich, black fruited Pinot Noir with a soft, rounded mouthfeel and the beginnings of secondary development. Match with game meat dishes and casseroles over the next 5 years. Clones 115 and 777 fruit from selected rows from a single Bannockburn vineyard, the vines planted in 2002, indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc. with 25% whole bunch to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 15 months in seasoned French oak barrels. 50 cases made. 18.5/20 Oct 2016 RRP $N/A Very dark, deep ruby-red colour with slight purple hues on edge. The nose is very full and vently voluminous with waves of ripe dark-red berry fruit and plums, spices and violet florals and a hint of dried herbs. Medium full-bodied, plump red berry fruit and floral flavours fill the palate and form a rounded core. The mouthfeel features soft, grainy tannins with a supple approachability, the acidity quite discreet and restrained. The flavours have excellent presence and drive and carry through to a soft, textured, lingering finish with spicy red fruit notes. This is a soft-textured Pinot Noir with plump, aromatic red fruit flavours. Match with poultry, duck and rabbit over the next 5-6 years. Clones 115 and 777 fruit from selected rows from a single Bannockburn vineyard, the vines planted in 2002, indigenous yeast fermented to 13.5% alc. with 25% whole bunch to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 15 months in seasoned French oak barrels. 18.0+/20 Jun 2013 RRP $50.00 (Sold out) Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 18-Oct-2016

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, even ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim with garnet suggestions. This is elegantly concentrated on the nose with a fine and firm depth showing intense aromas of dark-red and black cherry fruit, some liquorice and mineral notes, dark herbs and fragrant violet florals. Some nutty oak unfolds from the core. Medium-full bodied, this has a tight, concentrated core of rich and ripe black cherry and dark-red berry fruits, with notes of liquorice and herbs, the whole cluster well-integrated. The fruit sweetness is supported by fine-grained, powdery tannin extraction with balanced acidity. Notes of florals, nutty oak and minerals show and carry to a juicy, vibrant, lingering finish of cherries and berries. This is an elegantly concentrated Pinot Noir with black and red cherry fruit and notes of thyme herbs, liquorice and florals on a fine-textured palate. Match with duck, pork and lamb over the next 5-6 years. Clones 667, 777, 115, Abel and 5 from a single site on the Bendigo Terraces. An equal blend of two fermentations, with 30% and 10% whole cluster respectively, fermented to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 12 months in seasoned French oak, one-third 1 y.o., bottled unfined and unfiltered. 65 cases made. 18.5-/20 Oct 2016 RRP $50.00 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates Moderately dark, deep, opaque ruby-red colour with youthful purple hues, lighter on rim. This has an elegant and refined nose with tightly bound aromas of dark red cherry fruit entwined with a fine thread of thyme herb and liquorice, with harmoniously integrated, savoury stemmy whole bunch nuances. The aromatics build in density and concentration, revealing mineral and floral perfume detail with aeration. Medium-full bodied, this palate is finely proportioned with intense and well-concentrated flavours of sweet, dark cherry fruit, thyme herb, minerals and spices, the whole cluster elements integral. The fruit is supported by fine-grained, guiding tannins and ripe, lacy acidity providing linearity and poise, leading to a subtly sweet and rich-fruited finish with lingering floral fragrances. This is a beautiful, elegantly concentrated, perfumed Pinot Noir with subtle herb and integrated complexities. Match with poultry, pork and hare over the next 6+ years. Clones 667, 777, 115, Abel and 5 from a single site on the Bendigo Terraces. An equal blend of two fermentations, with 30% and 10% whole cluster respectively, fermented to 14.2% alc., the wine aged 12 months in seasoned French oak, one-third 1 y.o., bottled unfined and unfiltered. 65 cases made. 18.5/20 Jun 2014 RRP $50.00 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates
• The Writer’s Block Central Otago Late Harvest Gewurztraminer 2013
  Sweet Wine from New Zealand - Otago

  Review Date : 21-Nov-2013

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, very pale straw colour, near colourless on rim. The nose is tight and constrained, with delicate aromas of rose-petal florals, exotic spices, stonefruit kernels and some fresh fermentation esters lift. Sweet to taste and medium bodied with good weight and presence, luscious and softly decadent flavours of rose-petals, Turkish Delight, honey and musky florals fill the palate. The mouthfeel is soft, near-unctuous and rich with creamy, soapy-smooth and seamless textures. The wine flows effortlessly through the palate line, the acidity quite restrained and soft, enhancing the gentle progression of richness to opulence. The flavours carry through to a soft, full, mellow finish with sustained musk and honey notes. This is a deliciously soft and gently opulent late-harvest Gewurztraminer to match with pate, fruit desserts and soft cheeses over the next 2-3 years. Late-picked Gewurztraminer from selected rows with no botrytis from Charcoal Gully, Lowburn, stainless-steel fermented to 12.0% alc. and 65 g/L RS, with 3.87 pH and TA 3.8 g/L. 50 cases made. (375 ml) 18.5-/20 Nov 2013 RRP $25.00 Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade’, the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews’ operates