Whistling Buoy 2016 ‘Kokolo’ Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, and ‘Half Acre’ Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Whistling Buoy ‘Kokolo Vineyard’ Canterbury Chardonnay 2016
  Chardonnay from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 16-Jan-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Full, light golden-yellow colour with some depth. The nose is full and softly packed with deep and voluminous aromas of rich, ripe tropical fruit and citrus fruits harmoniously melded with creamy barrel-ferment and nutty oak layers and entwined with butterscotch MLF notes. Medium-full bodied, the palate is rich and lusciously fruited with up-front flavours of ripe tropical fruits entwined with creamy and nutty oak, and buttery MLF. The mouthfeel is plush with a soft-textured core and line, with bright acidity in support. The flavours carry with some underlying alcoholic drive, leading to a long, buttery finish. This is a rich, plush and up-front Chardonnay with ripe tropical fruit, creamy and nutty oak and plenty of butterscotch MLF flavours. Match with roast pork over the next 3+ years. Fruit WBP and partially indigenous yeast fermented in seasoned French oak to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 14 months in barrel with 10 months on lees and approx. 95% MLF. 17.5-/20 Jan 2018 RRP $32.00
• Whistling Buoy ‘Kokolo Vineyard’ Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 17-Jan-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, dark ruby-red colour with some youthful purple hues, lighter on the rim. This has an intense nose with good depth and elegantly concentrated aromas of dark-red berry fruit with subtle notes of blackberries entwined with dark herbs, unveiling violet florals, along with nuances of liquorice and nutty oak. Medium-full bodied, the palate has a moderately concentrated and deeply packed heart with flavours of dark-red berry fruit and raspberry liqueur notes, along with black-berried fruits and subtle dark herb and liquorice nuances. The fruit is supported by light, fine-grained tannin extraction and structure with integrated acidity. The wine carries along a fine line, leading to a lingering finish of liquorice and spices. This is a moderately concentrated Pinot Noir with well-packed flavours of dark-red berry and raspberry fruit with hints of herbs and liquorice on a fine-structured palate. Match with lamb and beef dishes over the next 5+ years. Fruit from the ‘Kokolo’ vineyard, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 25% new French oak. 17.5+/20 Jan 2018 RRP $36.00
• Whistling Buoy ‘Half Acre Vineyard’ Banks Peninsula Canterbury Pinot Noir 2016
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Canterbury & Waipara

  Review Date : 16-Jan-2018

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Even, purple-hued ruby-red colour, lighter on the edge. The nose is a little restrained with tightly bound and delicate fruit aromas of dark-red berry fruit entwined with hints of blackberries and black plums, along with subtle spicy oak, unfolding an amalgam of raspberry liqueur and violet florals. Medium-full bodied, the palate is elegantly proportioned with a refined and well-bound core of dark-red and black-berried fruits. Flavours of liquorice, dark herbs and violet florals add interest and detail. The palate possesses very fine-grained tannin extraction and structure, and the wine carries smoothly along a velvety line, leading to a long, lingering finish. This is an elegant and refined, concentrated Pinot Noir with ripe dark-red and black fruits with violet florals on a fine-grained, linear palate. Match with poultry and pork dishes over the next 6+ years. Fruit from the ‘Half Acre’ vineyard, fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 25% new French oak. 18.0+/20 Jan 2018 RRP $42.00