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:

Total Alcohol     12.7, 12.4%v/v
Titratable Acid   7.3, 7.6 g/L
Total Sugar        4.8, 4.9 g/L

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:

Total Alcohol     13.4%v/v
Titratable Acid   7.1 g/L
Total Sugar        2.7 g/L

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:

Total Alcohol     12.9%v/v
Titratable Acid   7.7 g/L
Total Sugar        9.0 g/L (off dry)

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.