Volcanic Hills is a relatively new label that has appeared on the scene with a burst. The Sauvignon Blanc 2010 took No.3 spot in Cuisine's tasting of Sauvignon Blanc of that year. It is the brainchild of Brent Park and Sean Beer who met when working as winemakers at Delegats. They conceived the idea of a ‘virtual' winery, not owning any vineyards or plant, but buying lots of fruit from various regions around the country and renting winery space to make the wines. It's a model of minimal capital input, and great efficiency, and one that has become popular around the world. To date, the portfolio has included Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Gris, Hawke's Bay Chardonnay and Central Otago Pinot Noir, beginning with 2009 whites and 2008 reds. With a production of around 1,500 cases, it's extremely manageable and in reality all about lifestyle, hands-on involvement for the families, and no doubt, fun. The name Volcanic Hills refers to the inspirational peaks such as Ruapehu, Ngauruhoe and Rangitoto, that are part of New Zealand's geology and geography. www.volcanichills.co.nz
Bright, very pale straw colour with pale green hues, near colourless. This has a very fresh and pure nose of stylishly interwoven aromas of gooseberries and passionfruit with a steeliness. Dry, crisp and mouthwatering with racy acidity, English gooseberry and subtle passionruit flavours are expressed with excellent clarity. The light-bodied palate has an underlying succulence and richness that is moderated by a delicate textural thread which provides good line and length. The wine finishes with lush fruitiness. 50% from three sites in Mew Renwick Road, Lower Wairau and Southern Valleys region, and 50% from the Awatere, cool-fermented in stainless-steel to 13.0% alc. and 4.1 g/L rs. This is a light, but stylishly lush and racy Sauvignon Blanc to serve with seafood, salads and vegetable dishes over the next 2 years. 17.5/20 Feb 2012 RRP $20.50
Pinot Noir mainly from a single vineyard in Lowburn with some Alexandra and Gibbston fruit included, given a cold soak and fermented to 13.5% alc. with 28 days on skins. The wine was aged 10 months in 25% new French oak barrels. Bright, even ruby-red colour with some youthful purple hues. This has an elegant bouquet of bright dark cherry fruit aromas with a hint of herbs and minerals. Medium-bodied, moderately rich, bright dark cherry and berry fruit flavours are framed by fine, firm, chalky and drying tannins, forming a good concentrated core to the palate line. The acidity is balanced and the wine has freshness, which contributes to a strong flavoursome finish. This bright fruited, firm textured Pinot Noir will match most poultry and red meat dishes over the next 3-4+ years. 16.5/20 Feb 2012 RRP $29.00