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Spade Oak Methode Traditionnelle 2009

12 June,2012
Although Steve Voysey is one of this country's most accomplished and experienced winemakers, he would be the first to admit that making first-class sparkling wine is one of the difficult of all to produce. Steve has over two decades of developing the globally successful ‘Lindauer' range for Montana Wines, Pernod-Ricard, and now Indevin. Despite this work, the sparkling wines for his own brand ‘Spade Oak' that he and his wife Eileen have created have required intensive thought and toil to get to the stage where they believe they are ready for release. Two wines have been made from the 2009 vintage, from fruit from their own 15 ha vineyard. Last year, I had the pleasure of tasting the Blanc de Noirs, disgorged especially for the 2011 Gisborne Wine Festival. I was impressed with it. Steve and Eileen have disgorged their first method traditionnelle commercial release with more time on lees, which will be made available to the market very soon. The two wines extend the innovative and interesting range that makes ‘Spade Oak' a unique producer. www.spadeoak.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW



Spade Oak Gisborne Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Blancs 2009

Sparkling Wine from New Zealand – Gisborne

18/20

100% Chardonnay from the ‘Spade Oak' vineyard, fermented in seasoned French oak with 100% MLF to 12.5% alc. The wine has 10.0 g/L dosage and spend 24 months on lees, being disgorged 7 May 2012. Bright, light golden-straw colour, lighter on edge, with moderately persistent, fine bead. The nose is very fresh with ripe yellow floral and light citrus fruit aromas along with fine, bready yeast autolysis, hints of nuts and toast interwoven with the fruit. This has depth and concentration. Dry to taste with moderate mousse, rich and firm flavours of white and yellow stonefruits form a deep core, complexed with citrus, bread and nutty elements. While the textures are creamy and the acidity is balanced, there is an underlying firm, thirst-quenching dryness to the palate line. The wine finishes with attractively delicate stonefruit, mineral and yeasty notes. This is a fulsome Blanc de Blanc with the potential to develop greater interest over the next 4-5+ years. Serve as an aperitif and with seafood. 18.0/20 Jun 2012 RRP $44.95 (TBC)

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

Spade Oak Gisborne Methode Traditionnelle Blanc de Noirs 2009

Sparkling Wine from New Zealand – Gisborne

18.5/20

Straw-yellow colour with some light golden hues, light on edge. This has a light bead with fine bubbles. This has a very full, rich and weighty bouquet with ripe yellow stonefruit and nutty aromas that form a dense amalgam on the nose, that reveals notes of toast, smoke and bready elements. This shows good autolysis and Pinot Noir character. Dry to taste, rich and lush flavours of ripe stonefruits and nuts merge seamlessly with yeasty, bready flavours. The mousse is lively and creamy, and the mouthfeel very fine-textured and vibrant. The Pinot Noir depth is the feature, but autolysis interest emerges in the glass. The flavours are driven to a very long, mouthwatering and crisp finish with detailed nuances. This is a complex and full flavoured Blanc de Noirs with excellent freshness and balance. Match with seafood, poultry and pork over the next 4-5+ years. A blend of 95% clone 5 Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay from the ‘Spade Oak' vineyard, fermented in seasoned French oak with 100% MLF to 12.5% alc. The wine has 6.0 g/L dosage and spend 24 months on lees, being disgorged 7 May 2012 18.5/20 Jun 2012 RRP $39.95 TBC 

A blend of 95% Clone 5 Pinot Noir and 5% Chardonnay from the ‘Spade Oak' vineyard, totally fermented in seasoned French oak with 100% MLF to 12.5% alc., and carrying a dosage of 6.0 g/L, the wine on lees 12 months, disgorged in October 2011. Light golden yellow colour with a pale edge and a fine bead. This has a soft, full nose, very gentle, with layers of densely packed aromas of yellow stonefruits, toast, nuts, and a little buttery MLF, forming a complex amalgam. Dry to taste, the palate is soft, open and broad, with fine, even effervescence. The flavours of ripe, dark yellow stonefruits intermingle with citrus, nuts, subtle aldehydes and toasty bread, and are seamlessly presented with restrained richness and smooth textures. The mid-palate blossoms with layers of interest, and soft acidity enhances the immediacy of the wine. This is ‘stonefruit heaven' and will be a match with rich seafood, poultry and pork over the next 3-4+ years. 18.0/20 Nov 2011 RRP TBA
 
Disclaimer: This wine is distributed by ‘Wine2Trade', the company under which ‘Raymond Chan Wine Reviews' operates
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