Making the best use of their own Carter family vineyards & other boutique estates, Soho use three of the best NZ winemakers – James Rowan for Waiheke Island, Pete Turner for Marlborough & Matt Connell for Central Otago – giving each wine its own regional style & particular personality. I’m tasting through a few classic varietals to get a snapshot of their range – Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and Syrah.
Soho Family Vineyards Jagger Pinot Gris 2023 From the Clutha Ridge Vineyard in Central Otago and just bottled – so perhaps expected to be a little edgy, but really, this is looking fantastic. Expressively aromatic, with pear, mandarin, ginger and lemon peel on the nose. Dry, but with a plush, spicy character that gives the impression of sweetness through the ripeness and texture that develops. Rich, smooth and generous, it has a swell of acidity adding clarity and line through the palate. A dry, lengthy finish. Very good indeed. 93pts
Soho Family Vineyards Carter Chardonnay 2022 Created from the Estate vineyard on Waiheke Island, this has more than a little ‘old school’ personality to it. Well-balanced and complex, with a concentrated palate and kissed with oak. Grapefruit, vanilla, nectarine, hazelnut and lemon curd perfume and a crisp minerality through the palate. Wet stone and crushed shell give a savoury note that combines well with the ripe fruit and leads you to a good length of drier, zesty finish. 92pts
Soho Family Vineyards Valentina Syrah 2022 Hailing from the Onetangi vineyard on Auckland’s Waiheke – traditionally the island has been an excellent source of Syrah fruit. Varietally distinctive, presenting aromas of bramble, mocha, plum, white pepper, sumac, cherry and liquorice, with a wispy floral note of violets. Crunchy dark fruit lights up the palate, held aloft by a racy acidity and polished by a gentle seasoning of toasty, gravelly oak. There’s an interesting ebb and flow here as the complex elements interplay and travel across the tastebuds. One to spend some time with. 93pts
Soho Family Vineyards McQueen Pinot Noir 2022 A bold aroma that takes in lush fruit, floral notes and an earthy savouriness. Cherry cola, strawberry and blood orange combine with anise, chestnut, dark chocolate, thyme, mushroom and lilac. Framed with toasty oak, supple tannin and a vibrant acidity, this has everything confidently in place. There’s a tightness and coiled power through the palate – at this stage it needs decanting and giving breath to the wine to unfurl it. The finish is spicy, dark and satisfying. 94pts
