12-Apr-2012
A sign of great resource, skills and care is quality in all tiers of a wine producers' output across a wide range of varieties. Only those that are fully committed to the best, can achieve this and few realise the aim. Waimea Estates, in Nelson is one winery that seems to be able to do this. The Bolitho family clearly possesses outstanding vineyards, with some 140 ha, managed by Ben Bolitho, and the fruit is expertly handled by winemaker Trudy Sheild. Wines from the ‘Waimea Estates' range regularly figure among the winners at wine shows, and the secondary ‘Spinyback' brand are also often in the ranks as gold medal winners. Even the third tier ‘Takutai' wines capture top awards. Clearly the Waimea Estates team make their range differentiation decisions with style as a major consideration, as the fruit quality seems very high in all the levels of the wines! Here are a diverse set of new release ‘Waimea Estates' and tertiary level ‘Takutai' wines reviewed. www.waimeabrands.com