Air New Zealand Wine Taste and Dreamliner Experience

Air NZ Headquarter, Auckland City
Tasted Thursday, December 18, 2014 by evanqian with 494 views

Introduction

Air NZ celebrated 787-9 Dreamliner flying regularly between Auckland and Shanghai, treating Chinese customers, all AirNZ Wine Award 2014 trophies. Michael Brajkovich MW led the tasting event.

Flight 1 (3 Notes)

Served by Jane Skilton MW

  • 2011 Tohu Chardonnay Rewa Blanc de Blanc 90 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    pale gold, bright, fine bubble but not lively in glass, just burst in mouth. pure Chardonnay nose: toasty and nutty. medium body, rich and smooth texture and clear structure. long dry finish with a little creamy hint. a nice one!

    AirNZ Trophy, BC 87. Alc: 12%, pH: 3.20, T/A: 6.5g/l, R.S: 5.0g/L

    Ap: 4/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 4+2/10
    TOTAL: 90/100

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  • 2014 Sea Level Pinot Gris Home Block 88 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Nelson

    medium light straw yellow, clear and bright. pear and citrus, a little floral hints. fresh acidity, medium body, sweet and smooth palate, watery finish.

    AirNZ Trophy, NZIWS Gold. Alc 13.5%, TA 6.8 gL, RS 6.5 gL, PH 3.35

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 16/20; Overall: 4+2/10
    TOTAL: 88/100

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  • 2013 Spy Valley Gewürztraminer 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    light/medium straw yellow. vibrant blossom, rose pedal, Turkish delight, citrus and some oriental spices in nose. surprisingly mild beginning, releasing the power gently, pleasant sweetness, zesty acidity, delicate texture and multiple layers. medium finish with some strength. a very balanced and elegant Gewuz.

    Alc 14.0%, RS 8.8 g/L, pH:3.75, TA:4.7 g/L. AirNZ Trophy, Six Nation Gold, NZIWS Gold, BC 90, Winestate 4.5 stars, Cuisine 4.5 stars, Decanter Silver, IWSC Silver.

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 18/20; overall: 4+3/10
    TOTAL: 92/100

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Flight 2 (3 Notes)

Served by Cameron Douglas MS

  • 2014 Forrest Estate Riesling The Doctors' 91 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    clear light yellow, green hue. green apple and lime, honey, low alc, crispy acidity, high RS (30+ gL?), light body, medium sweet style. small structure and easy to access, but very well balanced, nod to Mosel.

    Marlborough Wine Show - Trophy. Air NZ - Trophy, Champion Open White.

    Ap: 4/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 5+3/10
    TOTAL: 91/100

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  • 2014 Saint Clair Family Estate Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Reserve 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    colourless with pale yellow hue. moderate style, medium body, very smooth and balanced. pure and mild, underlaying complex flavours, fruity, mineral and subtle sweet in long finish. top Marlborough, standing with nice elegance.

    AirNZ Trophy, RC 19.0-. Alc: 13.0%, TA: 7.4 g/l, RS: 2.5 g/L, pH: 3.36.

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 18/20; Overall: 5+1/10
    TOTAL: 92/100

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  • 2012 Church Road Syrah McDonald Series 91 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

    opaque dark purple, inky, impenetrable. nose shows strong spices, ripe dark fruits and bold tannins. very very young, even not started to mellow. good density, concentration. intensive smoky and oaky flavours, covering all other delicate flavours. I guess it's a low yield vintage, hard to score, need 3-5 years to mature. really huge potential.

    AirNZ Trophy. Winestate 4 stars. Alc 12.5%, RS <2.0 gL, TA 5.96, pH 3.77.

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; palate: 16/20; overall: 4+3/10
    TOTAL: 91+/100

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Flight 3 (4 Notes)

Served by Matua winemaker Nikolai St George.

  • 2013 Falconhead Viognier 88 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

    pale gold. apricot and pear, a little oak touching, juicy and some mineral notes. medium/light body, smooth texture. an elegant fat.

    NZIWS Trophy, AirNZ Trophy.

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 11/15; palate: 16/20; overall: 4+2/10
    TOTAL: 88/100

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  • 2013 Saint Clair Family Estate Pinot Noir Marlborough Premium 90 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    medium/light ruby, clear. fresh strawberry and other red fruits. fruity palate, subtle blueberry and spices, fresh acidity, light/medium body. good balance and savoury finish with earth notes. very accessible and super QPR.

    Alc: 13.5%, TA: 5.8 g/l, pH: 3.49. RC 18.0-, MC 4 stars

    AirNZ Champion Open Red.

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 12/15; Palate: 17/20; Overall: 4+2/10
    TOTAL: 90/100

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  • 2013 Matua Syrah Matheson Vineyards 94 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

    dark red and purple hue, near impenetrable. dark fruits in nose, blackberry and dark plum, with some exotic spices. nice multiple layers in mouth, dark fruits, violet, earth and oak spices, long finish with mocha, chocolate, vanilla and perfume. full of power, smooth texture, properly balanced, showing strength with elegance and complexity, this style is not usually in NZ Syrah. still young, could develop further.

    only 130 cases made, NZIWS 2014 - Trophy, AirNZ 2014 Trophy, RC 19.5

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; palate: 18/20; overall: 5+3/10
    TOTAL: 94+/100

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  • 2012 Giesen Sauvignon Blanc The Brothers Late Harvest 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    bright golden. honey and zesty tart. well balanced, pure and clean taste, smooth and solid texture, nice floral aromas, just a little greenish notes in finish.

    AirNZ Trophy, Goldx2 in California, BC 94.

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 5+2/10
    TOTAL: 92/100

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Flight 4 (4 Notes)

Served by Villa Maria winemaker Nick Picone

  • 2013 Esk Valley Merlot/Cabernet Sauvignon/Malbec 88 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay, Gimblett Gravels

    50% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec, 9% Cabernet Franc from the Gimblett Gravels.
    Garnet/purple, looks very young. mild nose: dark fruits and some herbals. medium body, smooth texture, supple granular tannins. moderate styles. medium finish with cream chocolate notes. small/medium size structure but showing elegance and balance.

    AirNZ Trophy. RC 18.0+

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 11/15; Palate: 16/20; Overall: 4+2/10
    TOTAL: 88+/100

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  • 2012 Villa Maria Pinot Noir Single Vineyard Southern Clays 92 Points

    New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough

    ruby, medium+ depth. nose shows red and dark berries, subtle spices. fruity flavour leading palate, subtle violet, good concentration and weight, medium+ body, silky tannins, fresh acidity, oak touching, savoury finish with vanilla and oak spicy. upright and balanced Pinot Noir, more concentration than average Marlborough, show some elegance.

    Easter Show 2014 - Gold, Cuisine 5 stars, WS 90, Marlborough Wine Show 2014 - Gold, AirNZ 2014 - Trophy, Reserve Wine of Show.

    Ap: 4/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; overall: 5+3/10
    TOTAL: 92+/100

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  • 2013 Vidal Estate Chardonnay Legacy Series 94 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

    bright straw. citrus, toast, roasted nuts. subtle mineral notes. mouth-watering acidity, well integrated and extremely balanced. good weight. medium/long buttery finish. showing complexity and restraint.

    Yields: 42 hl/ha (average) Alc 13%, TA 7.23 gL, pH 3.19.
    French barrique, 43% new and seasoned 57%
    Maturation: 12 months on lees

    AirNZ 2014 - Champion Wine of the Show. Easter Show 2015 - Trophy, Six Nations 2015 - Double Gold

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 18/20; Overall: 5+3/10
    TOTAL: 94/100

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  • 2012 Vidal Estate Chardonnay Legacy Series 93 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

    bright straw. tropical fruits, lemon, toast, roasted nuts. full bodied, powerful, rich flavours. medium/long finish with heavy oak and smoky notes. complex and tastes still very young.

    Compare to 2013, it has more concentration (lower yield), more oak influence, more straight strength, but less balance, less elegance, need time to mellow together.

    Yields: 1.5-2.0kgs/vine
    Alc 13.5%, TA 6.73 gL, pH 3.27
    French barrique, 42% new and seasoned 58%
    Maturation: 12 months on lees

    AirNZ 2014 - Champion Exhibition White Wine.
    Bragato 2014 - Champion Wine of Show.
    Winestate 4.5 stars

    Ap: 5/5; Ar: 13/15; Palate: 17/20; Overall: 5+3/10
    TOTAL: 93+/100

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