Whitehaven 2016 Sauvignon Blanc, 2015 Riesling and 2014 Pinot Noir

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW

• Whitehaven Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016
  Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 16-Mar-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright, very pale straw colour with slight green hues, near colourless on the rim. The nose is elegantly proportioned with a tight core of concentrated aromas of passionfruit, white florals and gooseberries with notes of nettles and fresh herbs. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is elegantly concentrated with a firmly bound heart of passionfruit flavours entwined with fresh herbs, white florals and nettles. The mouthfeel features very fine phenolic textures providing dryness, grip and linearity, with fresh, racy acidity lending energy and drive. The wine carries to a long and lingering, dry finish of passionfruit and herbs. This is a tightly concentrated and taut Sauvignon Blanc with fine textures and flavours of passionfruit and nettles on a fresh palate with plenty of energy. Match with seafood, salads and vegetables over the next 2-3 years. Marlborough fruit cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 3.8 g/L RS. 18.0/20 Mar 2017 RRP $19.90
• Whitehaven Marlborough Riesling 2015
  Riesling from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 16-Mar-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Bright straw-yellow colour with a suggestion of light gold, pale edged. This has a softly concentrated, but full and voluminous nose showing piquant lime and lemon fruit entwined with subtle toasty notes signalling the beginnings of secondary development, unfolding mineral elements. This has a tight core with good intensity. Dry to taste and medium-bodied, the palate is a firmly packed with flavours of limes and savoury lemons, along with notes of white florals and toast elements. The mouthfeel is very fine-textured and flows with good linearity unfolding mouthwatering mineral notes and citrus fruits on a long, lingering, firm finish. This is a tightly bound dy Riesling with lime, lemon, floral and mineral flavours now developing signs of toasty secondary complexities. Serve as an aperitif and with seafood over the next 5+ years. The fruit predominantly hand-picked and WBP, the wine cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 12.5% alc., 6.1 g/L RS, TA 8.2 g/L and pH 2.87. 18.0+/20 Mar 2017 RRP $21.90
• Whitehaven Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014
  Pinot Noir from New Zealand - Marlborough

  Review Date : 16-Mar-2017

  ☆☆☆☆☆

  Moderately deep ruby-red colour with garnet hues, lighter on the rim. The bouquet is full and soft with good depth of ripe red cherries and subtle notes of raspberries and plums, interwoven with complexing dried herb detail, red florals, unveiling suggestions of mushrooms and game. The aromatics grow in breadth with aeration. Medium-bodied, the palate possesses fresh and juicy flavours of red cherry and berry fruit along with dark herbs and lifted red florals. The mouthfeel is lively with brisk acidity and the fruit is supported by fine-grained, supple tannins. Savoury flavours of dried herbs, earth and mushrooms emerge to add complexity, and the wine carries to a refreshing, lively acid finish with savoury red fruit notes. This is a fresh, lively and juicy red cherry and berry fruited Pinot Noir with supple tannin extraction and the beginnings of secondary detail. Match with wild duck and pork dishes over the next 4+ years. Hand-picked fruit from 5 vineyards in the Awatere, Wairau and Southern Valleys, destemmed, given a cold soak and fermented to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 11 months in 44% new French oak. 18.5-/20 Mar 2017 RRP $32.90