{"id":9955,"date":"2023-12-21T05:43:27","date_gmt":"2023-12-20T16:43:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=9955"},"modified":"2023-12-21T05:43:27","modified_gmt":"2023-12-20T16:43:27","slug":"a-first-look-at-cuvar","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/winefolio.co.nz\/?p=9955","title":{"rendered":"A first look at \u010cuvar"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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Every now and then, there are a set of wines that I hear about, that create a real sense of anticipation. The first products from the next chapter in Sir George Fistonich\u2019s quest to produce the very best of New Zealand\u2019s wines. – under the umbrella of \u201cFistonich Family Vineyards\u201d fall into that category. People who know me, will know that I am a fan. I followed the progress of Villa Maria closely when I lived in the UK, and have shares in Terra Vitae – the company that runs some of the most famous vineyards that supplies grapes to make some of Villa Maria\u2019s top single-vineyard wines. I\u2019ve long regarded that group of winemakers and viticulture team from the Villa Maria group about ten years ago as a bit of a dream team. As such, I\u2019m extremely keen to get a taste of the new wines and see what industry legend Michelle Richardson has created.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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Drawing from the old Esk Valley Winery and vineyard site – that George now owns – plus the famous Cornerstone Vineyard in Hawke\u2019s Bay\u2019s Gimblett Gravels. Add in a new site that hadn\u2019t been on my radar before – Ballochdale Vineyard in the Awatere Valley, and it is a super line-up of places. The first wine to try is from this Marlborough site – \u010cuvar Iris Sauvignon Blanc 2023<\/b>. It has a \u2018classic\u2019 sense of Awatere style, with a real \u2018attack\u2019 on the palate. It has plenty of \u2018green\u2019 without being grassy. Cucumber, pea-shoots, lime, florals and jalapeno. A cool-climate style, with salinity and minerality. Fresh and zesty with a sherbert-like energy. This is sensational. What a start.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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The legendary Esk Valley vineyard supplies a Chardonnay in the range – \u010cuvar<\/b> Iris Chardonnay 2022<\/b>. A straightforward expression of good Hawke\u2019s Bay Chardonnay, with everything in the right place. Candy apple, nougat, grapefruit and chestnut. A tart drive of acidity and a dry, salivating finish, with a creamy texture in between. Not going to set the world on fire, but think along the lines of a Cellar Selection Villa Maria range.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>

Up a notch, and quite a bit more serious, is \u010cuvar<\/b> Guardian Chardonnay 2021<\/b>. Made by Hugh Crichton before he landed the Elephant Hill job, and from the well-regarded Lyons Vineyard. This is a power-packed expression, with bright acidity, generous ripe citrus and stone-fruit flavours, plus a delicious chalky, lees-influenced texture running through the palate. An almond cream note at the finish adds more interest.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u010cuvar<\/b> Guardian Ros\u00e9 2023 <\/b>is a splendid example – just the right colour in the glass, but beyond aesthetics it has a crisp prickle of red fruits and tannins. From the Cornerstone Vineyard, using Cabernet Franc with a little \u2018Franc funk\u2019 on the palate – adding smoky personality to what is often a bland style of wine. This is dry and peppery, with pink grapefruit coming through at the finish. A fine wine version of Ros\u00e9!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u010cuvar<\/b> Malbec Merlot 2022 <\/b>also hails from the Cornerstone Vineyard. A bountiful perfume sees the Malbec leading, with a richness and spice that the merlot fills in with fleshy elderberry and eucalypt notes. Lots of savoury elements jostle that ripe fruit – olive, tobacco, leather and black pepper. A toothsome texture and a juicy finish show promise for this to age well.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every now and then, there are a set of wines that I hear about, that create a real sense of anticipation. 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