The second tier of Mount Edward, the label featuring rugby figures performing the ‘Ka Mate' haka. Fruit from the company's Lowburn and Gibbston vineyards, a small portion whole bunch, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in French oak, a low percentage new. Very dark, deep, purple-hued ruby-red with light purple on rim, youthful in appearance. The nose features fresh, ripe cherry-berry aromas lifted with violetty florals. Some herb and steel notes to the aromatics show along with the perfumes. Medium-full bodied, ripe, dark cherry and berry flavours feature with a trace of herbs underneath. The palate is marked by fresh, lively acidity enhancing the fruit sweetness. Fine-grained tannins support the fruit richness, being supple and unobtrusive. The wine has a soft, lifted floral finish with very good length. This is a bright-fruited, well-ripened Pinot Noir with excellent freshness and balance. Serve with Asian cuisine over the next 4-5+ years. 18.5-/20 Aug 2012 RRP $26.95

The second tier of Mount Edward, the label featuring rugby figures performing the ‘Ka Mate' haka. Fruit from the company's Lowburn and Gibbston vineyards, a small portion whole bunch, fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 11 months in French oak, a low percentage new. Very dark, deep, black-red colour with purple hues on edge. The nose is very full and solid with ripe, savoury dark cherry and berry aromas that reveal layers of dark thyme herb and spices. Medium-full bodied, rich and succulent dark berry fruit flavours are intermixed with dark plums, spices herbs and violetty characters. This has weight, density and drive and the fruit is supported by supple tannins underneath. Good acidity is present enlivening the fruitiness which carries through to a long, flavoursome finish. This is a rich, plump and weighty Pinot Noir with suppleness and verve to match Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 4-6 years. 18.5-/20 Jun 2012 RRP $26.95

Full, deep, dark, purple-hued ruby-red colour, youthful in appearance. The bouquet is full with softly rich, ripe, dark berry and cherry aromas along with layers of plums and spices, and detailed floral elements. Herb and mineral nuances emerge in the glass. Medium-full bodied, rich, dark cherry-berry fruit flavours are interwoven with spicy dark plum and violet notes that flow seamlessly through the palate line. The fruit is bright and vibrant, with subtle acidity providing good freshness. Fine, supple tannins give balance and harmonious structure, the wine possessing a completeness that continues to a rich, smooth finish with excellent presence and length, showing mineral and herb notes. This is a classical, balanced and harmonious Central Otago Pinot Noir. Match with duck and pork dishes over the next 5-6 years. A blend of 75% Lowburn, 15% Gibbston and 10% Bannockburn fruit, indigenous yeast fermented with 20-25% whole bunch to 13.8% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 20% new French oak. 815 cases made. 18.5+/20 Aug 2012 RRP $46.50

 

Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade', the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews' operates

Fruit from the ‘Stevens' vineyard, neighbouring the company's ‘Drumlin' site in Gibbston. The last time Mount Edward will be able to source this fruit. Fully destemmed and indigenous yeast fermented to fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 12 months in 20% new French oak. Full, dense purple red colour, youthful. The nose is well-concentrated with deep and penetrating, complex aromas of black cherry and berry fruits with savoury dried herb and mineral notes. Medium to full bodied, this is elegantly proportioned, but powerfully packed with an array of complex, savoury dark fruit and herb flavours. Spice and liquorice elements develop. This has a very smooth flowing and supple mouthfeel, the tannins in the background to the fruit core, but there is sufficient acidity for tension and vitality. The wine has a very long and sustained finish, showing grainy textures and savoury herb flavours. This is a very concentrated and packed, but smooth Pinot Noir with some funky dried herb complexities. Match with herb-marinated veal and lamb dishes over the next 6-7 years. 42 cases made. 19.0-/20 Aug 2012 RRP $65.00

 

Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade', the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews' operates

Moderately full, deep, purple-hued ruby-red, youthful in appearance. This has a soft, voluminous nose of ripe black plum fruit lifted with violet and dark red florals and oak spice. Medium-full bodied, bright, lively dark plum, berry and cherry fruit flavours are lifted with violet florals and layers of spices and oak notes. The mouthfeel is lively and vibrant with fresh, lacy acidity and fine tannin extract providing a near sinewy palate line. The energy and acid poise underlines the fruit richness and carry through to a racy, grainy textured finish that lingers with plum and spice flavours. Vibrant and finely textured, this plummy Pinot Noir has the vitality to age 5-6+ years. Serve with firm-bodied fish and Middle Eastern fare. Clones 777 and Abel from 11-12 y.o. vines from the ‘Morrison' vineyard in Lowburn. 8 ha planted of the 12 ha total. Indigenous yeast fermented with approx. 20% whole bunch to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 14 months in approx. 20% new French oak. 280 cases made. 18.5+/20 Aug 2012 RRP $65.00

 

Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade', the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews' operates

Mainly clones 6 and Pommard. With Abel and 10/5, from the 5.5 ha ‘Muirkirk' site on Felton Road, Bannockburn, indigenous yeast fermented with approx. 20% whole bunch to 13.3% alc., the wine aged 14 months in 25% new French oak. Full, deep, purple-hued red colour. Concentrated and intense aromas of black berried fruits are complexed by edgy mineral and savoury herb nuances, the aromatics interwoven and detailed. Medium-full bodied, firmly packed and concentrated flavours of black berry and cherry fruits form a good deep core with good drive. Violets, iron-earth and minerals unfold with oak spices. The tannin extraction is in support of the intense, rich and dense mouthfeel, but builds to feature on the finish, the wine quite textured, showing dark florals, black fruits and spices. This is a concentrated black fruited, minerally Pinot Noir with the core and structure to develop over 8-10 years. Serve with casseroles and slow-cooked game meat. 160 cases made. 19.0/20 Aug 2012 RRP $65.00

Very full, very dark, deep, purple-hued red colour, this has a restrained, but stylishly proportioned nose with beautifully pure black cherry and berry fruit aromas that unfold to reveal ripe plum, dark spices and ethereal nuances of violets and minerals. Medium-full bodied, rich and lush flavours of black cherry fruit form a concentrated and deep core. This is very refined in texture with fine-grained tannins providing a smooth flowing mouthfeel. Lacy acidity balances the fruit richness, lending detail to the flavour nuances. The finish is rich, long and elegant. This is a beautiful and fine-featured Pinot Noir with ripe black fruits showing the Bannockburn terroir. Match with Asian duck and pork dishes over the next 6-8 years. Mainly clone 6 and Pommard, with Abel and 10/5 from the 5.5 ha ‘Muirkirk' vineyard on Felton Road, Bannockburn, approx. 20% whole bunch, wild yeast fermented to 13.5% alc., the wine aged 14 months in French oak, 25% new. 160 cases made. 18.5+/20 Jun 2012 RRP $65.00