Two Rivers 2018 ‘Convergence’ Sauvignon Blanc, ‘Clos des Pierres’ Chardonnay 2017 and ‘Tributary’ Pinot Noir 2016

12-Oct-2018

Dave Clouston is definitely one of Marlborough’s rising stars. Being a local, he lived on the land and is extremely familiar with the sub-regions and suitability of varieties to sites, as well as knowing the people who live on the land. This has given him advantages in making his ‘Two Rivers’ wines. David’s purchase of the established ‘Brookby Hill’ vineyard in the Southern Valleys at the end of 2015 has given him a more consistent supply of premium grapes. The vineyard is regarded as the ‘Home’ vineyard. Just as 2018 vintage was beginning, David opened his ‘Wine Studio’ winemaking facility in Cloudy Bay Business Park, and this will give him even greater control of how to handle his fruit. Things are exciting and on the upward swing for Dave Clouston. Here, I review his new release 2018 ‘Convergence’ Sauvignon Blanc, 2017 ‘Clos des Pierres’ Chardonnay and 2016 ‘Tributary’ Pinot Noir which incorporate new techniques and more radical equipment such as concrete egg and amphora. www.tworivers.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Two Rivers ‘Convergence’ Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018
Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 12-Oct-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with slight green hues, a little lighter on the edge. The nose is softly full with gentle concentration of white and green stonefruit aromas, along with gooseberry and fresh herb notes and suggestions of nuts and minerals. This has an underlying freshness and clarity, and is mouthwatering. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate has bright and vibrant fruit flavours gooseberries with white and green stonefruits, and nuances of fresh herbs. The fruit has good presence and is mouthfilling with rich textures. Some phenolic grip, power and linear drive is present and the fruit is supported by fresh, lacy acidity. The wine flows to a very long and sustained finish. This is a surprisingly weighty and mouthfilling, textured Sauvignon Blanc with clarity of gooseberry, stonefruit and herb flavours with fresh acidity. Serve with salads and vegetables, and Mediterranean fare over the next 2+ years. Fruit from the ‘Richmond Brook’, ‘Dew’, ‘Coles’, ‘The Spring’ and ‘Grovetown’ vineyards in the Awatere, Southern Valleys and Rapaura sub-regions, vines 10-20 y.o., fermented in concrete egg, clay amphora and stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 3 g/L RS, the wine aged 3 months on lees in concrete. 18.5/20 Oct 2018 RRP $24.00
Two Rivers ‘ Clos des Pierres’ Marlborough Chardonnay 2017
Chardonnay from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 12-Oct-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Bright, light golden-hued yellow colour with some depth, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is firmly-packed with deep and intense, well-concentrated aromas of yellow stonefruits, citrus fruit, and a core of creamy, nutty oak melded with complexing flinty detail unfolding savoury mineral elements. Medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly presented with taut and well-bound flavours of yellow stonefruits and citrus fruit entwined with mealy interest and nutty oak with nuances of flint. The palate has intensity and linear drive, with some underlying power, and the wine carries with fresh acid energy to an elegant, lingering finish. This is an intense and concentrated Chardonnay with stonefruit, citrus fruit, meal and nutty complexities and a hint of flint on a linear, well-driven palate. Match with grilled and roasted seafood, poultry and pork over the next 4 years. Hand-picked fruit from two sites, ‘The Spring’ in the Wairau Valley with 27 y.o. Mendoza, and ‘Brookby Hill, Southern Valleys with clones 15 and 95, WBP and filly barrel-fermented to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 25% new French oak undergoing batonnage and full MLF. 1,100 cases made. 18.5/20 Oct 2018 RRP $36.00
Two Rivers ‘Tributary’ Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough
Review Date : 12-Oct-2018
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark-hearted ruby-red colour with slight garnet hues on the edge. The nose is beautifully fragrant with gently voluminous aromas of lifted red florals and dark-red berry fruits and subtle notes of herbs. This has a firm core with concentration, unfolding aromatic detail with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate is gently and subtly expressed with restrained flavours of red florals and red berry fruits harmoniously entwined with subtle notes of herbs and an array of floral elements. The fruit has richness at the core and is enlivened by fresh acidity, and supported by elegant, fine-grained tannin structure. The aromatics are the feature and fill the palate. The wine carries softly to an elegant fragrant finish. This is a beautifully fragrant Pinot Noir with red berry fruits, fresh herbs and an array of florals in a fine-textured palate with fresh acidity. Match with poultry and pork, and with Asian fare over the next 5+ years. Fruit from ‘Brookby Bill’, clones 115, 667, 777, 10/5 and Abel, hand-picked, partially destemmed and 50% indigenous yeast fermented with 30% whole bunches to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 25% new French oak. 1,100 cases made. 18.5-/20 Oct 2018 RRP $36.00

Two Rivers 2018 ‘Convergence’ Sauvignon Blanc, ‘Clos des Pierres’ Chardonnay 2017 and ‘Tributary’ Pinot Noir 2016

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