End of May tasting notes...

I don't blog often enough but sometimes I taste some wine like it but don't quite know the best way to blog it. So I just thought I'd write up my notes in a end of week report like this.

2008 Te Whare Ra Riesling D
Marlborough


D if you hadn't worked it out stands for dry - they also release a M (medium) and S (sweet). It is a linear, pure, typically Marlborough Riesling with stoney minerality and lime, pineapple and soft apricot fruit with a subtle floral finish. VG

Alluviale Blanc and Rouge

Alluviale Blanc 08
Dartmoor Valley, Hawkes Bay
This is an interesting white from producers committed to making wines in a very Bordeaux driven style. It is both very fruity and funky with bright tropical pineapple and passionfruit and a typically savvie sweaty funk. Great acid and can't wait to see the development of this wine over the next few vintages. G

Alluviale Rouge 07
Gimblett Gravels, Hawkes Bay
This wine is just a baby (but still drinks remarkably well) with dark plum and boysenberry fruit and roasted red earth, a hint of florals and a slight bitter edge which detracted from the wine to begin with but integrated itself into the whole by day two. Very serious Merlot. E

Valli 07 Gibbston and Bannockburn Pinot Noirs



Was tasting these wines for a piece I wrote for The Second Glass on regional characteristics of NZ Pinot. Very interesting to see the differences between sub-regions with these wines but also the characteristics they share due to Grant Taylor's winemaking. I think these are their lightness, depth and the purity of fruit. They are not cheap ($55 approx) but do pick them up as they are some of the most interesting wines out of Central.

Valli Gibbston Pinot Noir 07
Gibbston, Central Otago
Bright black cherry fruit with intensely meaty undertone - has a note I often describe as flat but it seems to work very well in the wine. Light in weight and colour but doesn't lack anything - if anything the lightness seems to work in its favour as the wine comes across as incredibly sexy. Supple tannins and great acid. E

Valli Bannockburn Pinot Noir 07
Bannockburn, Central Otago
Black cherry with thyme and spice. Very Bannockburn but much lighter and more refined than most other producers in the area maybe even more so than Felton Road. Beautifully pure fruit with wonderful aromatic florals. Volnay-esque. Despite its lack of weight it has intensity and enthusiasm - very exciting. E