Spring Release 2009
2009 The warm settled weather in late November ’08 favoured a quick flowering and the prospect of adequate crops in the coming vintage. Warm weather during this period also makes a positive contribution to the creation of the following year’s flower buds and hence crop levels for vintage ’10. A very warm January and more than adequate soil moisture levels resulted in vigorous canopy growth and the need for much manual canopy work as well as bunch thinning plus bunch shoulder excision in most varieties- both early and later in the season. Vintage commenced on March 20 and ran about a week later than for ’08. It was satisfying for us that while this was a season in which botrytis rot was a real danger in Martinborough, our fruit was harvested in top condition without the need for chemical sprays against this disease. The shift towards a carbon zero product and the evolution of sustainable farming practices has been a quiet but gratifying success story under the guidance of Shayne.
- 2008 Chardonnay
The wine is light gold with hints of green. An elegant and interesting nose of stone fruit, hazel nuts, a touch of citrus, even cloves and cinnamon is followed by a palate having structure with enough richness to conceal this and be attractive drinking even now. You will find flavours of citrus intertwined with stonefruit, spice, a cleansing finish, and in spite of its present drinkability I have little doubt that this is a wine for the longer term. Assume 4 – 7 years in the cellar, but it will be worth re-assessing for beyond this according to how the vintage3 reveals itself.
- 2009 Lovat Gewurztraminer
This is surprisingly fresh in colour and displays rich, perfumed aromatics with lychees, mandarin and spices tending to dominate. The palate shows great clarity of expression, it is rich but structured, ripe but not cloying and with flavours of fresh ripe tangerine, quince, lychee and dominant fruit cake spice. It is so obviously Gewurztraminer but equally, not Alsace Gewurztraminer. Cellar this and enjoy it throughout its career: for its vibrancy when young and as it progresses towards greater weight, complexity and spiciness as time goes on.
- 2009 Craighall Riesling
The colour of this wine is that of straw with obvious green tints. First and foremost are the floral aromatics followed by lemongrass and grapefruit with a chalk rather than talc expression of minerality. Long penetrating flavours combine lemon grass, yellow grapefruit and white peach with an extended lemon sorbet aftertaste, a notable clarity of expression and silky mouthfeel. Like Chardonnay, longevity expectations are a function of the vintage. Typically this wine will develop significantly over the next 4–7 years by which time it will start to be evident for how many years beyond this it will be interesting to cellar it for.
- 2007 Lovat Syrah
As expected, the colour is dense – crimson with purple highlights–and the nose exotic: initially musky florals, moving into opulent blueberry/blackberry aromas with white and black pepper plus the scent of black tea (the ripe tannins) and freshly cut cigars (children under 18 are not permitted to inhale this wine). On tasting it has a firm entry with tight tannins in the front to mid-palate opening into rich flavours of blue- and blackberries, black tea (plus cigar?) and a softer almost caressing exit. The personality of the vintage shows clearly in the attractive balance of the fruit versus savoury characters and a refined, ethereal texture.
- 2009 Dry River Estate Viognier
The light straw colour seems to be almost in contrast with the exotic perfume, fresh apricot and guava as well as that touch of talc on the nose. A long palate with an oily texture is nicely balanced by a Muscatlike finish. Overtly mineral flavours are lifted with fresh apricot, white peach and a whisker of lime. Most but not all commentators consider Viognier to be a variety to drink young but we have observed the emergence of rose petal flavours and a more opulent expression within the first 2-3 years for our previous vintages. The jury is still out as to recommending the best time for drinking.
- Pinot noir 2008 (en primeur)
Orders for this wine will be despatched in or before late November - please note on the order form if you are likely to be away during this period and we will check with you before sending it. Your payment will be processed after November 15 and you will be advised by mail at the time of dispatch. This Pinot is crimson with a purple aspect and is similar in density to our ’07 wine. The nose seems quite fragrant and pure – flowers, cherries/black fruit, pot pourri and black olives with an underlying sweetness. The alcohol is approx 13%, and initially it may appear to be a light wine until the flavour persistence persuades one that this impression derives from elegance. The flavours are in the floral/cherry range with Black Doris plum, black olives and crushed walnuts accompanied by a juicy astringency and a delicate lushness.
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