Charles Wiffen Chardonnay 2016
A Marlborough wine – the family vineyard is on the southern side of the Wairau Valley floor. A lemony golden colour in the glass. Notes of orange blossom, citrus zest and toasted almonds on the nose. A style full of juicy peach and nectarine flavours in a generous, creamy palate. Layers of interest lie within the body and show through the vanilla of oak, with oatmeal and some tropical fruit nuances creeping in towards a sweet and lingering finish.
Matt Connell Wines ‘Rendition’ Pinot Noir 2018
Another Gold-medal winning Pinot from Matt Connell, after his stunning Champion Wine of Show effort from 2017. A deep ruby-coloured wine, with a distinctly cherry nose. There is also lots of smoky dry herbs and mocha aromas that flow through to savoury notes at the front of the palate.
Plenty of luscious fruit here, with ripe cranberry and then a vanilla and spice creeps in from the creamy oak. Still savoury and spicy through to the end, with the tannins gentle but drying, and some floral violet and rosehip rounding out a complex finish.
Rockburn Pinot Noir 2017
At first I was a little surprised at the Champion Wine status given to this wine at the recent NZIWS, but, wanting to learn more, I have returned to taste this a couple more times, including a lengthy decanting… An attractive mid-ruby colour. Revealing scents of red roses, dusky thyme and red cherry. On the palate, a fresh sweetness more than savoury – inviting plum and darker cherry notes; but a green note of stalkiness or green olive as well in line with the fine tannins. Not too oaky but showing a rich complexity towards the lengthy, drying finish. A precise piece of winemaking – suggesting a great care in the crafting.
