Annual Day Trip to Martinborough

Tasted Saturday, January 1, 2011 by Barbara B with 677 views

Introduction

Drove up with Adam on New Year's Day, 2011. A few of the tasting rooms were closed (e.g., Margrain) but most were operating.

Flight 1 - Cabbage Tree Vineyard (2 Notes)

  • 2006 Cabbage Tree Vineyard Pinot Noir 93 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa

    Excellent, but well known to me, and well-represented in my cellar already. Hoped to try 2005, but it's still not ready for tasting/release. There were no 2007's because of the destructive storm early in that vintage. The 2008's are bottled but need two years of rest before release.

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  • 2008 Cabbage Tree Merlot 89 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa

    Good varietal character; nice Merlot.

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Flight 2 - Schubert (5 Notes)

Flight 3 - Ata Rangi (6 Notes)

  • 2010 Ata Rangi Summer Rosé

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Pretty pink. Aromas and flavours of strawberry and "crunchy watermelon" [tasting room lady quote, and spot-on]. Fully dry, acidic, slightly bitter.

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  • 2009 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir Crimson

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    All earth, no fruit on nose or palate. Harsh tannins. Not at all appealing now and probably will not improve with bottle age.

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  • 2009 Ata Rangi Pinot Noir

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Nose and palate of oak, earthiness, roasted/toasted beans/kernels, very minerally, almost no fruit. High level of slightly rough tannins, some bitterness, nicely acidic.

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  • 2008 Ata Rangi Célèbre 79 Points

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Tobacco and wood on the nose and palate. Fruitless, acidic, tannic.

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  • 2009 Ata Rangi Chardonnay Petrie

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Subtle oak, touch of sweetness (from oak), smooth yet muscley. A powerful rather than elegant Chardonnay.

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  • 2010 Ata Rangi Pinot Gris Lismore

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Slightly sweet (~8 g/L RS), but nicely balanced by a bitter almond character, plus big minerality and moderate acidity.

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Flight 4 - Te Kairanga (5 Notes)

Flight 5 - Muirlea Rise (3 Notes)

  • 2008 Muirlea Rise Pinot Noir

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Lean, savoury, charming. Needs a little more length and complexity, though.

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  • 2009 Muirlea Rise Pinot Noir

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Nice intensity on nose and palate. Good mix of fruit, earth and minerality. Richer and bigger than the 2008.

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  • NV Muirlea Rise Justa Red

    New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough

    Non-vintage, but mainly 2008. Simple and fruity, with bubble-gum and cotton candy character. Very like a young Gamay.

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Closing

Only bought three wines this trip -- two older Rieslings and a Pinot Noir -- all from Te Kairanga.

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