Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Marlborough Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2006
Origin: Sauvignon Blanc is the wine of the Loire Valley in France and wines characteristic of this
area are Sancerre and Pouilly Fumé Blanc.
Both styles are dry and the final flavour profile reflects the growing season,
the soil type and structure. It is also
found in the Graves and Sauterne area of the Bordeaux.
Here it is combined with Semillon to produce sauternes that are sweet in
finish.
In New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc made up 52% of the national vineyard crop in
2006. Of this 97,000 tonnes, 90% is from
the renowned soils of Marlborough, where recent years have seen a significant
increase in annual new plantings to attempt to satisfy world demand for the
much vaunted product.
Viticulture Notes: Produced by acclaimed New Zealand winemaker Alan McCorkindale using
fruit from Vicarage Lane's own vineyard to produce unique
single vineyard wines.
Harvest: Machine harvested in two batches in March 2006, firstly from
younger vines and latterly from mature vines.
The harvest from younger vines was also kept in two separate batches to
allow Alan to select between the varied fruit flavours to produce the reserve
wine.
Winemaking: Fermented in stainless steel tanks at a temperature of 10°C
to maximise
primary fruit aroma and flavour.
Different yeast strains were used for the different batches.
Bottled: August 06
Released: August 06
Wine Analysis:
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Total
Alcohol 12.7, 12.4%v/v
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Titratable
Acid 7.3, 7.6 g/L
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Total
Sugar 4.8, 4.9 g/L
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Tasting Notes: The colour is pale straw.
The bouquet has classic Marlborough characters of intense gooseberry,
red currant, citrus and nettly aromas.
The palate is well balanced and vibrant, with persistent flavours and
crisp acidity.
Food Matches: The slightly acid finish suits fish and other seafood
dishes, creamy pasta sauces and poultry.
Canterbury Chardonnay 2004
Origin: Chardonnay is the white grape of France's Burgundy region. Considered easy to grow and
vinify, finishing is
usually by aging in oak to reproduce the flavours of burgundy.
Harvest: Machine harvested from vineyards just outside Christchurch in May 2004.
Winemaking: After de-stemming, crushing, pressing and cold settling in
stainless steel tanks, 60% of the juice was fermented in French Oak
barrels. After fermentation it was left
in the barrels on the yeast lees for 6 months.
A small proportion underwent malolactic fermentation.
Bottled: July 05
Released: August 05
Wine Analysis:
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Total
Alcohol 13.4%v/v
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Titratable
Acid 7.1 g/L
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Total
Sugar 2.7 g/L
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Tasting Notes:
Complex aromas of nectarine and citrus fruits, spice oak and cream. The wine has a soft, appealing texture with
lingering flavours of stone fruits, cream and savoury oak.
The palate is soft and creamy, well balanced, elegant and fruit
driven. A classic New Zealand
Chardonnay.
Food Matches: An excellent accompaniment to chicken, seafood or pork
dishes.
Nelson/Marlborough Reserve Riesling 2005
Origin: Riesling is a grape of German
origin from the Rhine Valley.
It grows readily in New Zealand and is becoming increasingly
popular. It is often made in an 'off
dry' style where the primary fruit characteristics are retained. Riesling may also be picked as a late harvest
variety, often after infection with botrytis (noble rot). These late harvest grapes produce sweet
dessert wine, full of honey and nectar flavours.
Harvest: The fruit was harvested in Nelson and in Marlborough in May 2005, in good condition, with
no signs of botrytis.
Winemaking: The grapes were chilled overnight and when cold, gently
whole pressed. Fermentation was
temperature controlled to stay below 10º and selected yeasts were used to
retain the aromatics. The wine was
bottled using screw cap closures to retain the fresh fruit characteristics.
Bottled: December 05
Released: December 05
Wine Analysis:
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Total
Alcohol 12.9%v/v
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Titratable
Acid 7.7 g/L
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Total
Sugar 9.0 g/L (off dry)
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Tasting Notes: Intense aroma's of fresh limes,
lemon zest and summer flowers. A delicious, tangy wine with concentrated citrus fruit and green
gage plum flavours. Excellent
drinking now or will cellar well.
Food Matches: Drunk on its own as an aperitif or to accompany salads,
chicken and fish dishes.