Two Rivers

21-Jul-2020

  Dave Clouston is 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. Dave incorporated new techniques and more radical equipment such as concrete egg and amphora.

www.tworivers.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Two Rivers Clos des Pierres Chardonnay 2018, Marlborough
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 11-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium straw-yellow, even throughout. The nose is welcoming, greets with smokey flint, extents with buttery aromas, freshly peeled citrus zest, alongside delicate spices, painting an appealing impression. Medium-bodied, freshly squeezed lemon juice and zest rushed in, along with nuances of lemon curd with a light scent of orange blossom, melded with subtle spices and buttery nuances. The mouthfeel is creamy and elegant, a thin layer of chalkiness coating on the palate; acid is soft and well-integrated, flows with a drop of orange bitter, smokey gunflint to a lingering sleek finish. This is an elegant and well-integrated Chardonnay with all the attractive features; well-balanced, soft acidity and creamy lemon-curd entwined with chalky mineral and charming flintiness and spices. Match with grilled calamari and barbeque whitefish over the next 3-5 years. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed, wild-fermented to 13% alc. Aged in a mixture of new and seasoned French oak barrels, a new French cuve and a concrete egg tank for 11 months. Regular battonage, full MLF. Unfiltered. 18.5/20pts June 2020 RRP $36
• Private: Two Rivers Tributary Pinot Noir 2018, Marlborough
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 11-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light ruby-red with some depth, youthful colour. The nose is perfumed and delicate; aromas of sweet herbs of dill, thyme, red liquorice smooth along with redcurrants, blueberries entwined with black pepper and subtle smokey black tea and cedar fragrant. Medium-bodied, redcurrants, red cherries and blueberries formed a core with sweet herbs and floral fragrances, melded with subtle spices and cedar. Lacy acidity lifted the floral and herbs elements; delicately extracted tannin leaves a fine-silk structure line. It's smooth and gentle, flows with good energy, lifted delicate spices carried the wine to a sustained finish. This is a perfumed Pinot Noir with red fruit, sweet herbs and florals; along with spices and cedar detail on a smooth and silky palate. Match with gamefowl and pork over the next 3-5 years. Fruit from Brookby Hill Vineyard in the Southern Valleys. Handpicked, 30% whole bunch, 50% wild-fermentation, fermented to 13% alc. Aged in French oak barrels, 25% new for 11 months. Unfine unfiltered. 18+/20pts June 2020 RRP $36
• Two Rivers Altitude Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Marlborough
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 29-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, light yellow with some depth. The nose is softly elegant, with aromas of lemon curd, gooseberries, spiced pineapple, melded with elderflowers, cream and a subtle note of raw almond. Medium-bodied, dry to taste, the palate is elegant, aromas of lemon curd, lime sorbet, pineapple and gooseberries have a softly concentrated core, entwined with milk bread, cream and subtle spices. The mouthfeel is pleasurable like a whipped meringue, silken and creamy; along with chalky phenolic. Mouthwatering acidity is lacy and fine, flows harmoniously with a pineapple tone and spices to a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant Sauvignon Blanc with aromas of tropical fruit, lacy acidity and harmoniously fine palate. Match with white meat and seafood over the next 5 years. Handpicked from single-cane vines. Wild fermented in a mixture of concrete egg tank, clay amphora and seasoned French barrels to 13.5% alc, 1 g/l RS. Aged on full lees for months. 19/20 pts Aug 2020 RRP $36
• Two Rivers Convergence Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Aug-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, even, youthful pale yellow. The nose is vibrant with well-proportioned aromas of gooseberry, apple, kiwi, lime and zest, along with elderflower, slight flint and mineral. Light-bodied, gentle and bright flavour of Granny Smith's apple, lime and zest, kiwi fruit entwined with elderflower cordial, saline, oyster shells and prickly spices to a lengthy finish. The fruit is bright and fresh, crispy without being green or overly fruity. Smooth and clean textured with a roundness from the light lees ageing, complemented by a light chalky, oyster shells phenolic. Crisp, bright acidity flows with good energy and balance to a long finish. This is a crisp and pleasurable Sauvignon Blanc with a pure expression of green fruit, elderflower on a smooth-flowing, sea mineral texture line. Match with diamond clams and blue cod over the next 3-4 years. Fermented in a mixture of stainless steel, concrete egg and clay amphora to 13.5% alc, 3.2 g/l RS. Aged on lees for 3 months. 19-/20 pts Aug 2020 RRP $24
• Two Rivers Isle of Beauty Rosé 2020, Marlborough
  Rosé from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 19-Aug-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light salmon-pink with a tinge of rose-gold, even throughout. The bouquet is elegant with subtleties of flower petals, honeydew melon, cranberries and fresh oregano. Light-bodied, dry to taste, amalgam flavours of watermelon, honeydew melon, cranberries, sherbet, melded with wild herbs and green peppercorn. The fruit flavours are well-proportioned with sweet and sour fruit, pure and vibrant; balanced lacy acidity flows with vitality, unveiling deep fragrances of flower petals, wild herbs, sea salt to linearity. The mouthfeel is smooth and light with vibrancy, a light note of green peppercorn is lifting and appealing. This is a light, and crisp dry rose with attractive fruit flavours, balanced acidity and freshness, lingers with subtle floral, herbs and sea salt. Serve as an aperitif over the next 2-3 years. Fermented cold to 12.5% alc, 1.3 g/l RS. Aged for 10 weeks in stainless steel and concrete egg. 18.5/20 pts Aug 2020 RRP $24
• Two Rivers Juliet Riesling 2020, Marlborough
  Riesling from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 29-Jul-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, pale yellow-lime, even throughout. The nose is elegant and youthful with aromas of lemon, lime sherbet, apricot, melded with orange blossoms and pollen, along with lightly honeyed cereal and delicate spices. Medium-light bodied, off-dry to taste, thirst-quenching lime sherbet and young apricot are lightly sweetened by honey, entwined with citrus peels, orange blossoms and subtle spices. The acidity is mouthwatering and vibrant, balanced by the 27.5 g/l sugar sweetness, left the finish refreshingly dry without being cloying. Good tension of the acid carries citrus peels through the palate and left a light grip. The purity of fruit and thirst-quenching acidity are the main features of this refreshing Riesling. Match with shellfish and salty pork cracklings over the next 3-5 years. Fermented in stainless steel to 11% alc, 27.5 g/l RS. Rested on its lees for 3 months. 18.5/20 pts Aug 2020 RRP $24