Vidal 2017 ‘Soler’ Chardonnay and 2016 ‘Legacy’ Syrah and Cabernet Merlot

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Vidal ‘Soler’ Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 11-Jul-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with pale golden hues, lighter on the rim. The nose is full and voluminous with good depth of softly-packed complex aromas of white stonefruits harmoniously layered with an amalgam of citrus fruits, nuances of gunflint and minerals, and a little nutty oak. There is a deep core to the aromatics. Medium-bodied, the palate has a rounded and well-concentrated heart of white stonefruits interwoven with nutty and mealy notes, and some flinty, minerally reduction adding to the complexity. The flavours gently open to fill the palate, and flow along a light-textured line with soft, lacy acidity lending energy. This has good drive and some underlying power, and the wine carries to a long, sustained finish of stonefruits, nuts and flint. This is a rounded, well-concentrated Chardonnay with complex white stonefruit, nutty, and flinty mineral flavours on a palate with power and drive. Match with poultry, pork and veal over the next 4 years. Fruit from the ‘Kokako’ vineyard, Ohiti Valley, vines planted in 2008, fully barrel-fermented, partially by indigenous yeasts to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 40% new oak with batonnage, and approx. 15-20% undergoing MLF. 400 dozen made. 18.5/20 Jul 2018 RRP $35.99
• Vidal ‘Legacy’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016
  Syrah from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 16-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, ruby-red colour with purple-black hues at the heart, a little paler on the rim. The nose is elegantly presented with well-proportioned and concentrated aromas of ripe blackberry fruit with dark raspberries, plums and black pepper at the core. A complex nutty oak, iron-earth Oriental spice amalgam unfolds and provides detail. Medium-bodied, the palate is rich, luscious and sweetly ripe with a core of blackberry fruit with black plum hints and dark raspberries, along with violet florals and spice notes. A little black pepper and iron-earth emerge to add detail. This is vibrant and lively and has fine-grained powdery tannin extraction and structure, with fine acid balance. The flavours are opulent but moderated by the extraction and the wine carries seamlessly to a long and sustained finish. This is a beautifully rich, luscious and sweet-fruited, balanced and finely proportioned Syrah with ripe blackberry, plum, spice and mineral flavours on a seamless, fine-grained palate. This will develop over the next 8-10 years. Waldron and MS clone fruit, 50% each from the ‘Omahu Gravels’ and ‘Twyford Gravels’ sites, vines 18 y.o., hand-picked and fully destemmed and fermented with a small portion of whole berries to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 20 months in 43% new French oak barriques. 350 dozen made. 19.5-/20 Nov 2018 RRP $79.99 Dark, deep, near impenetrable black-hued purple-red colour, a little lighter edged. The nose full and broad with harmoniously concentrated and layered aromas showing ripe blackberries and black plums along with dark raspberries, liquorice and fragrant Asian spices, unfolding a little black pepper and iron-earth notes. The aromatics grow in depth and density with aeration, and is quite complete. Medium-full bodied, the palate has richly sweet, plush and juicy, vibrant and poised flavours of ripe blackberries and plums with notes of dark raspberries and liquorice, forming a tight and deeply packed core. Layers of exotic Asian spices, dark herbs, violet florals, pepper and iron-earth emerge. The fruit is supported by considerable fine-grained, powdery tannin extraction and structure with integrated acidity adding to the richness. The flavours carry to a very long, sustained, vibrant finish. This is a beautifully rich and lusciously vibrant Syrah with ripe and complex flavours of black fruits, spices, florals and earth on a well-structrured, fine-grained palate. Match with roasted game meat dishes over the next 7-10+ years. Waldron and MS clone fruit, 50% each from the ‘Omahu Gravels’ and ‘Twyford Gravels’ sites, vines 18 y.o., hand-picked and fully destemmed and fermented with a small portion of whole berries to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 20 months in 43% new French oak barriques. 350 dozen made. 19.5/20 Jul 2018 RRP $74.99
• Vidal ‘Legacy’ Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon/Merlot 2016
  Blended Red from New Zealand - Hawke's Bay

  Review Date : 16-Nov-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Dark, deep, black-hued ruby-red colour, a little lighter on the rim. The nose is softly full and voluminous with beautifully accessible and even aromas of ripe blackcurrant and blackberry fruit with sweet black plums, unfolding a little dark herb with spicy and nutty oak. This is refined and harmoniously detailed, and an expression of finesse, the aromatics building in depth with aeration. Medium-full bodied, the palate is refined with sweetly ripe, plush and juicy flavours of ripe blackcurrants and blackberries with black plum notes, unfolding a little dark herb and lifted, spicy oak. The mouthfeel is smooth with very fine-grained tannins balancing the fruit richness, with background acidity lending energy. The wine carries seamlessly to a long, detailed finish. This is a beautifully refined and detailed Cabernet/Merlot blend with ripe fruits, sweet oak and finesse of structure. It will develop over the next 9-10+years. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot from the ‘Omahu Gravels’ and ‘Te Awa’ sites, the fruit fermented to 13.5% alc., and aged 20 months in 60% new French oak barriques. 250 dozen made. 19.0+/20 Nov 2018 RRP $69.99 Dark, deep, near impenetrable black-hued ruby-red colour with youthful purple tints. The nose is beautifully proportioned with concentrated and intensely penetrating aromas of ripe blackberry and blackcurrant fruit with some cassis liqueur, and fragrant dark-red and black plum fruit interwoven with subtle notes of redcurrants and herbs. This has finesse, intensity and beauty. Medium-full bodied, the palate is well-proportioned with deep and intense flavours of ripe blackberry, blackcurrant, and black plum fruit unfolding subtly complexing pencilly oak and iron-earth elements. The fruit forms a deep and tightly bound, dense core with very fine-grained, powdery tannin extraction providing plenty of structure. Soft, lacy acidity lends energy. The wine has excellent drive and carries to an elegant, sustained finish. This is a wonderfully proportioned Cabernet/Merlot with deep and intense flavours of ripe blackberries, blackcurrant and plums with fine oak and iron-earth detail on a fine-grained palate with plenty of extract. Match with roast lamb, beef and venison over the next 8-10+ years. A blend of 80% Cabernet Sauvignon and 20% Merlot from the ‘Omahu Gravels’ and ‘Te Awa’ sites, the fruit fermented to 13.5% alc., and aged 20 months in 60% new French oak barriques. 250 dozen made. 19.5-/20 Jul 2018 RRP $64.99