Waimea Estates Diverse 2011 Reds

29-Jun-2012

One can argue that a vineyard and winery should specialise in one or only a small number of wines or styles. That way, their expertise grows as the energy and focus is directed to a singular cause and not distracted, and the wine producer becomes a specialist in that wine, knowing how the make the highest quality. Another school of thought is that being able to make a wide, divergent range of wines, all to the highest level, is possible, and it shows a greater skill set across the board. There are certainly merits to both approaches, but Waimea Estates has taken the latter path, and done so extremely well. Winemaker Trudy Sheild has crafted an enormously varied range of wines to an enviable level, and these three 2011 vintage reds reviewed here demonstrate her work. www.waimeabrands.com

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

Waimea Estates Nelson Pinot Noir 2011
Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 06-May-2013
☆☆☆☆☆
Light ruby-red colour with some depth, lighter on rim. The aromatics are evenly expressed with fresh and lifted red berry fruits revealing a savoury herb, undergrowth and gamey underlay. Medium-bodied, the fruit is a little restrained initially, but grows to show a concentrated core with red berry fruits, florals and spicy oak. A little undergrowth and herbal complexity is entwined with the fruit. Supple tannins support the fruit and grow in presence, and provide a balanced and harmonious mouthfeel, with the acidity in good balance. The flavours flow smoothly to a concentrated, nuanced finish with good length. This is a restrained, harmonious Pinot Noir with red fruits and some spiciness. There is more here than initial impressions suggest. It will develop well over the next 4-6 years. Serve with most red meat courses. Fruit with a high portion of whole berries given a cold soak and fermented in ‘Ganimede’ tanks to 13.5% alc., the wine aged in a variety of oaks. 17.5+/20 May 2013 RRP $25.00 Dark, moderately deep, purple-hued ruby-red colour, lighter on edge. The nose is concentrated and packed with black berry and plum fruit aromas, along with spiced red cherry notes and oak elements. Medium-bodied, the fruit flavours of black cherries and spices are still tightly bound but the deep core is evident providing good presence and mouthfeel. The textures are rounded and the tannin discreet, with balanced acidity adding a firmness to the concentration. The finish is moderately sustained with flavours of spices and oak lingering. Youthfully restrained, this black-fruited Pinot Noir has the fine structure to match roasted pork, veal and lamb dishes over the next 4-6 years. Fruit with whole berries given a cold soak and fermented in ‘Ganimede' closed tanks to 13.75% alc., the wine aged in a variety of oak. 17.0+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $25.00
Waimea Estates Nelson Dolcetto 2011
Other Red from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 28-Jun-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Fruit from the ‘Golden Hills' vineyard, destemmed, given a cold soak and fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in French and American oak barrels, 16% new. Very dark, near impenetrable black-hued, purple-ruby colour. This has an intriguing, complex and layered bouquet of black berry and plum fruits, boysenberries, dark herbs, earth and liquorice. Full-bodied, rich, open and broad flavours of dark berry fruits, liquorice and spicy plums fill the palate. The fruit is framed within an enveloping tannic structure which is the predominant feature to the mouthfeel. Soft acidity adds to the drying waves of tannin, but the fruit underlines the extract and provides a very long finish with eucalypt and spice notes. This serious, spicy, black-fruited Dolcetto shows classic tannin structure. Match with slow-cooked game meats over the next 6-8 years. 18.0-/20 Jun 2012 RRP $25.00
Waimea Estates Nelson Syrah 2011
Syrah from New Zealand - Nelson
Review Date : 28-Jun-2012
☆☆☆☆☆
Dark, deep, black-red colour with youthful purple hues. This has an intense, but elegantly proportioned and aromatic bouquet of blackberry fruits lifted with violetty perfumes, black and white pepper and spicy oak in the background. Medium-full bodied, softly concentrated flavours of black berry fruits and pepper show with good richness and some juiciness. The textures are supple with fine tannin providing good drive through the palate, and lacy acidity enlivening the fruitiness. The wine has a building density, and finishes with moderately long nuances of spices and liquorice. This is a softly concentrated and supple Syrah with spiciness. Serve with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 5-6+ years. Syrah fruit from the ‘Golden Hills' and ‘Lansdowne Road' sites, destemmed, given a cold soak and co-fermented with a small amount of Viognier to 13.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 15% new oak, predominantly French. 17.5+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $25.00

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