Featured Reviews




Wild River 2011 White Wine Releases

02 August,2012
The ‘Wild River' brand belongs to Mount Brown, owned by the Rutherford family in the Waipara Valley. The wines under the label incorporate fruit from the ‘Mount Brown' and ‘Limeloader' vineyards. While the ‘Mount Brown' site has Pinot Noir and some Riesling, the ‘Limeloader' site features Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Riesling and a little Tempranillo. Matt Deller, the Wine Programme Director for the Fine Wine Delivery Co. committed to the entire production of white wines from the 2011 vintage under the ‘Wild River' label, thereby obtaining a good price for the whole quantity purchase, which has been passed on to the final consumer. Matt Deller deems them "extraordinary value for money”. Here are my reviews of the wines. www.finewinedelivery.co.nz

FEATURED WINES IN THIS REVIEW



Wild River Waipara Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2011

Sauvignon Blanc from New Zealand – Canterbury & Waipara

16/20

Brilliant, very pale straw-yellow colour with green hues, pale on rim. The nose is soft with gentle, moderately ripe aromas of gooseberries, lime juice and minerally nuances lifted with tropical fruit elements. Dryish in taste, this is light-bodied with soft, evenly present fruit flavours of gooseberries, limes and florals. This is uncomplicated and very accessible, with a soft mouthfeel and mild acidity, leading to a light, clean finish. A very approachable, light Sauvignon Blanc with soft gooseberry flavours. Serve with antipasto and seafood over the next 18 months to 2 years. Fruit from gravel soils, cool-fermented to 14.0% alc. 16.0/20 Aug 2012 RRP $14.99

Wild River Waipara Valley Dry Pinot Gris 2011

Pinot Gris from New Zealand – Canterbury & Waipara

16.5+/20

Fruit from sandy gravel soils, fermented to 14.0% alc. and 5 g/L rs. Bright straw-yellow colour, pale on edge. This has a light bouquet of pears and white stoneftruits with subtle notes of honey, unfolding nuances of flinty lees work. Dryish to taste, mineral-infused stonefruit flavours are enhanced by attractive exotic spice hints which form an interesting amalgam with flinty, minerally lees characters. The acidity is soft and a light textural thread carries the palate to a dry, nuanced finish. This dry, light Pinot Gris has subtle layers of flint and exotic spices. Match with Mediterranean and Middle Eastern influenced cuisine over the next 2-3 years. 16.5+/20 Aug 2012 RRP $14.99

Wild River Waipara Valley Riesling 2011

Riesling from New Zealand – Canterbury & Waipara

17.5-/20

Brilliant, pale straw colour with green hues. The bouquet is very finely intense and penetrating with aromas of limes, jasmine florals and talc. Off-dry to taste, this is an elegantly proportioned, slender wine with finely interwoven flavours of citrus fruits, herbs and exotic florals. The palate is detailed with a subtle richness and lacy acidity, and soft in mouthfeel. Attractive honey and lime flavours combine with minerally notes on a soft, dry finish. This is an elegant, off-dry Riesling with subtle exotic flavours. Serve as an aperitif or with mild Asian fare over the next 3-4 years. Fruit from the Limeloader' and ‘Mount Brown' sites, fermented to 13.5% alc. and 11 g/L rs. 17.5-/20 Aug 2012 RRP $14.99

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