Urlar

21-Jul-2020

URLAR [pron. er-lar], The Earth in Gaelic. 31-hectare vineyard located in Gladstone, on ancient free-draining soils has appx 100,000 vines which when in full production will produce over 15,000 cases per year.

URLAR wines are certified organic grapes are grown on well-drained Gladstone soil using Biodynamic principles.

Jannine Rickards has joined the team as winemaker since 2017, who is well-regarded for her previous winemaking roles at Julicher, Pegasus Bay and Ata Rangi, in time for the 2018 vintage. Previously Carol Bunn was in charge of vintage 2016 and 2017, Guy McMaster was the winemaker for nine years before Carol.

http://www.urlar.co.nz/

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Urlar Pinot Gris 2013, Wairarapa
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium yellow with a golden hue, even throughout. The nose is rich and voluminous with nuances of honey, dried pear and apricot, dried florals and a subtle layer of raw nuts. Medium-full bodied, dry to taste, the palate is full with the richness of honey-coated toasted nuts, dried pear and apricot entwined with dried florals and a subtle layer of five-spice. The palate is rich and soft with a honeyed texture and supported by a mellowed, light phenolic grip. Acidity is balanced and lively, contributed to the freshness. There is an alcohol power carries the flavours with good energy to a long and dry finish. This is a voluminous and rich, aged Pinot Gris with good concentration and balanced acidity to support the development with flavours of dried fruit, toasted nut and honey with a long finish. Drink now with roasted chicken and roasted pork. Handpicked, whole bunch pressed. 100% barrel fermented in French oak to 14% alc, 1.4g/l RS. Extended lees contact and stirring, aged for 12 months. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $32
• Urlar Sauvignon Blanc 2017, Wairarapa
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light straw-yellow, even colour throughout. The nose is soft with plenty of gooseberries, salted citrus peels and nettle herb, opening up to a fuller expression as it aerated. Medium-light bodied, dry to taste, there is a tight core of gooseberries fruit, an amalgam of citrus fruit and peels along with aromas of nettle leaves. The acidity is mouthwatering and also calming, flows along softly, providing backbone structure. The mouthfeel is soft and slightly oily, accompanied by a light and fine phenolic texture. This is a fine-textured Sauvignon Blanc with flavours of gooseberries, citrus peels, and nettle flow with balanced and soft acidity on an oily mouthfeel. Match with mussels and pork over the next 3 years. BioGro organic certified. Most fruit fermented in stainless steel with a small portion of fruit fermented in older barrels. 12.5% alc, 2.2g/l RS. 18/20 pts June 2020 RRP $25
• Urlar Select Parcels Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Wairarapa
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium yellow with a green hue, even colour throughout. The nose is finely-soft and elegant with flavours of lemonade, yellow florals and green herbs; interweaved with prickly spices, creamy yoghurt and a subtle tone of stony mineral, along with nuance of light honey development. Medium-light bodied, the palate is soft and fragrant with dried chamomile, along with citrus fruit and peels; unveiling spices, herbs and stony mineral. Lively acidity carries the wine with good energy, linger to a sustained finish with lightly honeyed tone. The mouthfeel is round and soft with a light phenolic grip, and the alcohol power lifted the spices on the back palate, left a fresh and vibrant impression. This is an aged Sauvignon Blanc with delicate flavour development, interweaved stony mineral, light honeyed tone, enlivened by lively acidity to a sustained, elegant finish. Match with whitebait and scallop carpaccio over the next 2-3 years. BioGro organic certified. Destemmed, short skin maceration. Fermented in seasoned French oak barriques to 13.5% alc. Aged on lees with occasional stirring for 8 months, partial MLF. Transferred to stainless steel for 3 months further ageing. 18.5+/20 pts June 2020 RRP $35
• Urlar Sauvignon Blanc 2014, Wairarapa
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, light yellow with a green hue, even colour throughout, youthful in appearance. The nose is gentle with notes of lime, white florals and gooseberries; melded with dried yellow stonefruit, savoury development and flintiness, underlying stony mineral. Medium-bodied, the palate is softly full and voluminous with flavours of dried stonefruit, gooseberries, green herbs; entwined with subtle dried florals and nori seaweed savouriness. The mouthfeel is lush with a concentrated core of fruit, flows with soft and lively balanced acidity, slightly oily with a touch of stony mineral texture. The savoury development of nori seaweed added an attractive layer of interest. The finish is lingering with alcohol power and spices. This is a developed Sauvignon Blanc with a lush palate and concentrated flavours of fruit, stony mineral and interesting savoury development. Match with roasted pork and grilled whitefish over the next 2-3 years. BioGro organic certified. Most fruit fermented in stainless steel with a small portion of fruit fermented in older barrels. 13.5% alc, 2.1g/l RS. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $25
• Urlar The Mediator Pinot Noir 2017, Wairarapa
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, dark medium ruby-red with a black hue, even colour throughout. The nose is youthful and opened with fragrances of violet, black plums and cherries; along with a lightly savoury meaty note, earthy metal element and warm cinnamon spices. Medium-bodies, soft and vibrantly concentrated flavours of plums and cherries, alongside violet fragrance; entwined with cinnamon spices and an earthy savoury component. The mouthfeel is softly delicate with a dusty fine tannin texture line, balanced acidity gently buoyant, carries subtle oak spices along with savoury, earthy element to linearity. This is a youthful Pinot Noir with concentration and full of savoury, earthy characters; alongside flavours of black fruit, violet and warm cinnamon spices on a dusty fine-tannin mouthfeel. Match with smoked duck breast and roasted pigeon over the next 3-5 years. BioGro organic certified. Vegan. Fruit from Gladstone, fermented in a mix of oak cuves and stainless steel tanks to 13% alc. 20% new oak. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $32
• Urlar Pinot Noir 2013, Wairarapa
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Deep, even, medium dark-red with lightness and a slight brick-red hue. The nose is elegant with underlying power; red fruit spectrum, fresh and cooked; melded with medicinal herbs, oak spices and savoury element. Medium-bodied, red cherries and cooked plums entwined with an amalgam of medicinal herbs and spices, showing strength and power with freshness. There is an alcohol power carries flavours and intensity, emphasized the spices component; supported by a fine-textured tannin extraction, leaves a silky tannin mouthfeel with spices. This is a powerful and developing Pinot Noir with fresh and cooked red fruit, medicinal herbs and spices on a fine texture palate with warming alcohol. Match with venison and lamb over the next 3-4 years. BioGro organic certified. Handpicked, each clone fermented separately in traditionally oak cuves to 14.% alc and cold-soaked. Aged in French oak barriques, 20% new oak. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $45
• Urlar Pinot Noir 2009, Wairarapa
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Clear, medium dark-ruby with a brick red hue, lighter on edge. The nose is lifted with alcohol power, exhibiting developed flavours of cooked plums, gamey notes along with medicinal herbs and an iodine tone. Medium-bodied, the palate is soft with strength and breadth. Mellowed cooked plums, entwined with savoury gaminess, a strong presence of medicinal herbs, liquorice roots lead to a dry finish. The warming alcohol power lifted spices and Sichuan pepper note, left a prickly sensation. Balanced acidity, mellowed with time; supported by a softened, fine-grained tannin structure. Flavours are concentrated with breadth, linger to a sustained finish. This is a well-developed Pinot Noir with grace and power, with a concentrated core of cooked plums, medicinal and gamey development. Drink now to over the next 2 years with Chinese pork stew. Handpicked, each clone fermented separately in traditionally oak cuves to 14.5% alc and cold-soaked. Aged in French oak barriques, 25% new oak. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $45
• Urlar Late Harvest Riesling 2019, Wairarapa
  Sweet Wine from New Zealand - Wairarapa & Wellington

  Review Date : 23-Jun-2020

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, medium golden-yellow, even throughout. The nose is lush with nuances of honey, melded with stonefruit, apricot liqueur and lime zest, along with a lifted tone of warm spices. Medium-bodied, there is a strong core of stonefruit, unfolding citrus preserves and marmalade, entwined with honey and orange zest. The palate is luscious and honeyed with lots of freshness, balanced by lacy acidity. This is a luscious yet fresh late harvest Riesling with flavours of stonefruit and citrus marmalade, balanced by lacy acidity on a honeyed texture. Match with brie and Spicy Thai fare over the next 3-5 years. Fruit from Gladstone, hand-harvested, overnight skin contact. Fermented to 9.5% alc, 105 g/l RS. 18.5/20 pts June 2020 RRP $25