Wairau River 2013 and 2012 Releases

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Wairau River Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2013
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 25-Mar-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw-green, near colourless on rim. The nose is very full and voluminous with lifted lime and floral infused, pungent passionfruit aromas, all seamlessly interwoven and showing intricate detail and interest. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, soft, lush passionfruit flavours form a finely concentrated and intense palate that flows smoothly and effortlessly. Fine, racy, slippery acidity enlivens the mouthfeel and releases lime and floral elements. A fine phenolic line guides the palate to a bright, lively, crisp and dry, lingering finish. This is an elegant, slippery Sauvignon Blanc with lifted floral and passionfruity flavours. Serve as an aperitif, or with antipasto and seafood over the next 2 years. Fruit from 3 estate vineyards, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 3.1 g/L RS. 18.5/20 Mar 2014 RRP $20.00
• Wairau River Marlborough Riesling 2013
  Riesling from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 25-Mar-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from the ‘Rapaura Road’ site from vines planted in 1992, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.0% alc. and 6.7 g/L RS, TA 9.8 g/L and pH 3.0. Bright, light straw-yellow colour, pale on rim. This has a very fresh, light and tightly bound nose of lime fruit with pure white florals, revealing some wet stone mineral elements in the glass. Off-dry to taste and medium-bodied, flavours of limes and florals combine with delicate honey and toasty notes forming a fine-textured, refined line. There is a suggestion of secondary development. The mouthfeel features well-handled phenolics and ripe acidity that provide a dry, near mouthwatering mid-palate leading to a very dry, finish that blossoms with limes and florals. This is an elegant and fine-featured dryish Riesling that blooms on the finish. Serve as an aperitif, or with seafood over the next 4-5 years. 18.0/20 Mar 2014 RRP $20.00
• Wairau River Marlborough Pinot Gris 2013
  Pinot Gris from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 26-Mar-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Brilliant, even, light straw-yellow colour. The bouquet is elegantly presented with deep and concentrated aromas of ripe yellow stonefruits, pears, honeysuckle and spices all seamlessly interwoven. Subtle nuances of rose-petals and a thread of minerality provide a clean lift to the nose. Off-dry to taste, the palate has real depth and clarity of exotic florals and ripe yellow stonefruits, unfolding subtle layers of pears and honeysuckle. The mouthfeel is rich and luscious and flows seamlessly with creaminess. Fresh acidity and cut balances the richness, providing excellent energy and tension, carrying the palate to a very long and sustained finish. This is an elegant, smooth-flowing and well-balanced off-dry Pinot Gris with subtle exotic flavours. Match with Thai, Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine over the next 4 years. Fruit from the ‘Home’ block from vines dating back to 1990, fermented in stainless-steel with a small portion on seasoned French oak to 14.0% alc. and 7.3 g/L RS. 18.5+/20 Mar 2014 RRP $20.00
• Wairau River Marlborough Chardonnay 2012
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 25-Mar-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Fruit from the ‘Home’ block and Sam Rose’s vineyard, WBP and predominantly barrel-fermented to 13.0% alc, the wine aged 10 months in new and seasoned French oak barriques. Bright, even straw-yellow colour, lighter on rim. This has a light and subtle bouquet of white stonefruits with harmonious and very delicate nuances of flint, minerals and oak. Medium-full-bodied, the flavours of citrus and white stonefruits are subtly nuanced by flint and lees, with a little savoury secondary interest appearing. The palate has proportion and concentration and the mouthfeel is rounded with a little barrel-ferment creaminess all providing good presence. The fruit follows a fine line, with good acid brightness on the finish. This is an elegantly flavoured and fresh Chardonnay to match with seafood and poultry over the next 4 years. 17.5-/20 Mar 2014 RRP $20.00
• Wairau River Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 25-Mar-2014

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Light ruby-red colour with some depth, and lighter purple hues on edge. The nose is elegant with aromas of dark red berry fruit and toasty oak, unfolding and blossoming to show nuances of raspberry liqueur, dark herbs and earthy detail. Medium-full bodied, soft, ripe dark raspberry fruit flavours and toasty oak notes form a harmonious and gently rounded palate. The fruit is supported by a fine backbone with supple tannins and balanced, mellow and integrated acidity. The palate is driven by the fruit which reveals succulence and spicy, toasty oak notes that carry through to a moderately sustained finish. This is a supple, rounded, fruit-driven Pinot Noir with raspberry and toast oak flavours. Match with poultry, pork and lamb dishes over the next 4-5 years. Fruit from the ‘Home’ block and ‘Rapaura Road’ site, given a cold soak and fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 10 months in French oak barriques. 17.5+/20 Mar 2014 RRP $25.00