Waimea Estates – Substance in Nelson

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Waimea Estates Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2010
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 14-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  It would take a confident person to say they could detect differences between Nelson and Marlborough Sauvignons, but there is the suggestion that the former are a little softer and fuller, as seen in this wine. It was made from fruit from a range of the company's vineyard sites on the Waimea Plains for different flavour profiles. Cool stainless-teel fermented to 13.5% alc. and 3.5 g/L rs, a small portion underwent lees stirring for added textures. Pale straw coloured with youthful green hues, this has a soft full nose, not broad, but voluminous, with a range of aromatics from guavas, exotic tropical fruits to pungent passionfruit characters. Dry and fully weighted on palate, this has punchy flavours of tropical fruits and gooseberries that fill the mouth. The acidity is restrained, but the freshness is excellent. A strong wine to serve with firm textured seafoods over the next 2 years. 17.5+/20 Dec 2010 RRP $18.50
• Waimea Estates Nelson Gewurztraminer 2010
  Gewurztraminer from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 14-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  The ANZWA 2010 Trophy Gewurztraminer, made from Waimea Plains fruit with 36% Ruby Bay fruit fermented to 14.5% alc. and 8 g/L rs. A wonderful wine with intensity and concentration of florals, rose-petals, spices and ginger. Off-dry, this combined good acidity and smooth textures to provide elegance. As in the tradition of Waimea's award winning Gewurztraminers, this should drink well over the next 2-4 years.  Dec 2010 Gewurztraminer has spearheaded the aromatic variety success for Waimea, and this latest release is set to continue the tradition. Made from hand-picked fruit primarily from the Lansdowne and Annabrook sites on the Waimea Plains with 36% from Ruby Bay, this was whole bunch pressed and cool-fermented to 14.5% alc. and 8.5 g/L rs, and given lees contact before bottling. Straw yellow with a youthfully pale edge, this is still very tightly bound in fruit expression. The aromatics are very fine, with very attractive rose-water and floral characters. Off-dry on palate, there are touches of honey and spices adding exoticism to the perfumed palate. There is a little heat and firmness, but the phenolics have been handled extremely well to present a very fine texture and length. While the wine already has weight and presence on the palate, this will certainly blossom into even greater things over the next 2-4 years. 18.0+/20 Dec 2010 RRP $21.90
• Waimea Estates Nelson Viognier 2009
  Viognier from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 14-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  The winemaking team at Waimea Estates has quickly settled into making first-class Viognier from scratch in the space of a couple of years. Bright straw yellow in colour with some golden hues, this has a full, softly broad and very complex bouquet of savoury apricots and ripe tropical fruits. Dry to taste, this has good body, weight and presence, the fruit flavours quite funky with savoury spices and a sweet richness providing an appealing luscious element. The integration of the alcohol and acidity is perfect and in total balance with the fruit, resulting in a wonderfully fine, unctuous texture throughout the line and length of the palate. An outstanding wine to match with seafood, Asian and Middle Eastern dishes, now and over the next 2-3 years. Made from fruit from the Annabrook and Hope vineyards, fermented with inoculated yeasts to 14.0% alc. and 7.5 g/L rs. Two barrels, one new, comprising a small portion of the total wine, were used for warmer fermentation. 18.5+/20 Dec 2010 RRP $21.90
• Waimea Estates Nelson Chardonnay 2009
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 14-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  This is a statement wine in all respects. Possessing a bright, light golden straw colour, the nose is one of real power and richness. The aromas are of mealy, citrus and cashew nuts with bold barrel-fermentation characters. Dry on palate, this has masses of citrus and tropical fruit, plus nutty flavours, along with considerable oak vanilla elements. However, the creaminess of texture and balancing tension from excellent acidity come to the fore, carrying the intense flavours. This is a hugely rich wine, noticeably oaky and very traditional in outlook, but positively so. Drink with pork, poultry and full-flavoured seafood dishes over the next 3-5 years. Made from Medoza and clone 15 fruit from the Hope vineyard and a site on the Kina Peninsula, whole bunch pressed and mainly wild yeast fermented in French oak to 14.5% alc., and aged 9 months in oak on lees. 18.5/20 Dec 2010 RRP $21.90
• Waimea Estates Nelson Pinot Rosé 2010
  Rose from New Zealand - Nelson

  Review Date : 14-Feb-2011

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Produced from Pinot Noir fruit grown in company vineyards on the Waimea Plains. Made by saignee (bleeding off juice), this was cool fermented to 14.0% alc. and 9.6 g/L rs. 10% of the wine was fermented in new American oak. Bright, light cerise-pink in colour with youthful purple hues, this has a bright, fresh and intense nose of ripe cherries and raspberries, the fruit bold and up-front. Medium dry to taste, the vibrant cherry and raspberry fruitiness is enhanced by a soft sweetness and juicy lusciousness that is carried throughout the palate. There is good, refreshing acidity that adds to the liveliness and mouth-watering nature of this very good rosé. Drink now and over the next 18 months, well-chilled, with antipasto, lightly spiced foods and cold meats, served on the verandah, and with the sun shining. 18.0/20 Dec 2010 RRP $18.50