At the recent WineFolio Top 10 Tasting of Pinot Gris, the top three wines came from Soljans, Mills Reef and Framingham (in that order). We thought it would be an interesting follow-up tasting to get hold of a few of the ‘stable-mates’ from those winning Pinot Gris wines, and see if the winning qualities shone through the other varietals too?
Starting with the victorious Soljans, we have been sent three of their ‘Estate’ range wines to try. We tasted these on a warm summer evening in Auckland last night.
Soljans Estate "Two Daughters” Rosé 2018
A fresh pink colour in the glass, with lively aromas of orange zest, strawberry and floral nip of roses. A bright wine, the ripe fruit flavours balanced with an off-dry sweetness (11g/l residual sugar). I don’t know the varieties in this wine, but, variously, tasters noted cherry, lime and redcurrants. A great aperitif type of wine – we scoffed a platter of cheese, dried fruits and bread with this, and it’s a lovely foil for this kind of summer grazing plate. I bet they get through heaps at the winery restaurant!
Soljans Estate Gisborne Gewurztrauminer 2018
Instant aromas of peach and rose petal on the nose, with a citrus note also flitting onto the front of the tongue. A medium weight to the rich palate of apricot, melon and lemon sherbert. A nibble of sweetness here (16g/l residual sugar) as well as a light mineral note of salinity that balances the plushness. A sweet ginger-led spiciness to the finish.
Soljans Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Cabernet/Malbec 2016
An inky claret coloured wine, with inviting notes of bramble, spicy oak and vanilla-baked plums on the nose. Framed with an earthy cedar, the palate shows Christmas cake, toasted cashews and coconut. Integrated acidity and fine tannins drive the wine through layers of mocha and baking spices. A rich, savoury red, that was the perfect foil to mopping up the end of the platter, saving the rich blue cheeses and fresh plums to go with this cracking Bordeaux blend.
