Tinpot Hut – New Releases from Fiona Turner

15-Mar-2012

Fiona Turner began her winemaking experience in Marlborough over 15 years ago and in that time has become one of the most respected winemakers in the region, being part of the Kiwi-Oeno wine consultancy team with Matt Thomson, Glenn Thomas and Alana McGettigan. Between them, they have had a hand in countless award winning wines. Fiona's own venture is Tinpot Hut Wines, benefits from work throughout New Zealand and overseas, but is focussed on Marlborough varieties and Hawke's Bay Syrah. Fiona and her husband Hamish's 20 ha vineyard at Blind River in the Awatere Valley is becoming a growing source of fruit for the Tinpot Hut wines and a growing influence on the styles, providing clarity of fruit, zestiness, energy and an elegance of scale. Here are four of the latest releases. www.tinpothut.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Tinpot Hut Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 14-Mar-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Fruit from the Blind River sub-region of the Awatere, supplemented with Lower Wairau Valley grapes, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.2% alc. and 3.5 g/L rs. Bright, very pale straw colour with some green hues. The bouquet is very fine and tightly bound with pungent passionfruit aromas along with notes of blackcurrant leaf, all in the cooler spectrum. Dry to taste, this is a tight and slender wine, with a near-austere, mineral infused, pungent passionfruit flavour, driven by penetrating acidity. There is a light phenolic textural thread along the line that carries through to a very long, lingering finish which shows sweet passionfruit notes. This dry and driven wine speaks of the Awatere Valley. Serve with shellfish over the next 2-3 years. 17.5/20 Mar 2012 RRP $21.95
Tinpot Hut Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011
Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 14-Mar-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright straw-yellow colour with the faintest blush, pale-green on edge. This has a fresh, clean and cutting nose of white florals, pears and stonefruits, showing mineral notes and purity. Dry to taste, this has a smooth, slippery and fine mouthfeel, with light pear and floral fruit flavours and hints of spice. The palate has good body with a little alcohol warmth noticeable, but the wine has excellent balance and a lush mouthfeel. Aromatic florals and refreshing acidity mark the long finish. This is a crisp, slippery Pinot Gris with clarity and purity of aromatic fruit. Match with Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine over the next 3-4 years. The majority of the fruit was sourced from the Blind River region of the Awatere, with a small parcel from the Southern Valleys of the Wairau. Cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.3% alc. and 4.5 g/L rs. 18.0-/20 Mar 2012 RRP $21.95
Tinpot Hut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2010
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 14-Mar-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Light ruby-red colour, with light purple hues on rim. Bright raspberry fruit aromas intermingle with hints of fresh herbs and minerally notes on the nose, the expression is clear and up-front. Medium-bodied, this is an elegantly proportioned wine with tight and deeply intense flavours of dark raspberry liqueur and fresh herbs. Moderate extraction, supple tannins and bright acidity allows the fruit come to the fore. The palate has linear drive, leasing to a soft-textured, gentle finish with oak spices and red fruits. This is an elegant, raspberry-fruited Pinot Noir with good line. Match with poultry and pork over the next 3-4+ years. Fruit from sites at Conders Bend in the Upper Wairau and Blind River in the Awatere, destemmed and given a cold soak and fermented to 13.2% alc. A portion of the blend was aged in new and seasoned French oak barrels, the remainder aged in stainless-steel. 17.0+/20 Mar 2012 RRP $29.95

Tinpot Hut – New Releases from Fiona Turner

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

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