Greywacke Marlborough
Pinot Gris 2011 
Mainly Selection Ovaille and Mission clone fruit from the
‘Wrekin Terrace’ vineyard in the Brancott Valley with some Entav 52 clone from
the ‘Riverbrook’ vineyard in Rapaura, WBP, and 50% fermented in stainless-steel,
with 50% indigenous yeast fermented in old French barriques to 14.0% alc. and
10 g/L rs. Brilliant straw-yellow colour
with light lemon hues, light on edge. This
has a soft, full and rich nose with a powerfully packed amalgam of ripe, yellow
stonefruits, pears, spices and nutty, flinty notes that unfold revealing
complex layers. Dry to taste and
full-bodied, the palate has layers of interwoven flavours of savoury yellow
stonefruits, cooked pears, honey with fine spice and nutty elements. The wine has restrained acidity and a
luscious mouthfeel along with a little alcoholic warmth which drives the
soft-textured palate. The flavours lead
to a long, honied finish with warm stonefruit nuances. This is a full-bodied Pinot Gris with power
and a complex flavours that will match Mediterranean and Asian cuisine over the
next 4-5+ years. 18.5-/20 Oct 2012
RRP $29.95
Kingsmill ‘Tippet’s
Dam’ Bannockburn Central Otago Pinot Noir 2009
Ruby-red colour with depth, some garnet hues on rim. The nose is powerful, intense and tightly
bound with aromas of dark berries and savoury, brown-stalk whole bunch elements
with complexing dried herbs and lifted spices.
Full-bodied, concentrated and densely packed black cherry fruit flavours
unfold to reveal complex layers of dark herbs and subtle hints of secondary
undergrowth. The palate richness is
framed by very fine-grained tannins providing structure and depth, driving the
flavours to a very long, spicy finish enlivened by lacy acidity. This is a concentrated and complex Pinot Noir
with rich layers of savoury flavours.
Serve with slow-cooked red meat dishes over the next 5-6+ years. Clones 10/5, 5, 777, 115, 113 and 13 from the
‘Tippet’s Dam’ site, given a cold soak and fermented with 20% whole bunch to
14.0% alc., the wine aged 9 months in 30% new French oak, followed by a further
6 months in neutral oak.
18.5/20 Oct 2012
RRP $34.95
‘Winery of the Year'
(click
here to read about how 'Winery of the Year' is awarded)
20.0/20 Perfect Score Wines
(click
here to see a list of wines I have awarded 20.0/20, a perfect score to in my reviews)