Hawkes Bay Certificate Lesson

An entry level course of Hawkes Bay Official. In the lesson, the most typical styles and varieties will be tasted(Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Bordeaux Blend and Syrah).

• 2016 Elephant Hill Sauvignon Blanc 85 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Medium lemon color, lots of green nose and some parsley. The citrus and passion fruit flavors are numerous. The wine is so crispy with a high acidity and light body, but few lees can be found.
  The complexity is fair, but the finish and intensity are great. But the unripe green scent somehow gives some unenjoyable feelings.

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• 2017 Te Awanga Estate Chardonnay 92 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  The deep lemon color Chardonnay is full of intense peach and toast on the nose. A small portion of new oak barrels should be used, added a little oaky flavor to the wine. The texture is rounder than Chablis due to the long time sur lie and new oak using. The acidity is still medium-high.
  The alcohol is hiding well, which balance the wine. The finish is filled by a medium length of toasty scents.

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• 2015 Babich Chardonnay Irongate 92 Points

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

  Deep lemon color, lots of oak and ripe peach flavours. Nutty and creamy style. Round, creamy texture with the acidity only lie underneath.A little bit high alcohol.

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• 2017 Te Mata Estate Merlot / Cabernets Estate Vineyards 93 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Light ruby color. Red berry and black currant, spices, herbal, mineral, savory. Its tannin displayed reversely to its colour. Long lingering finish fulfill the mouth with the refreshing currant leaves and spicy notes.

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• 2014 Paritua Vineyards 21.12 89 Points

  New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay

  Medium Ruby, tawny edge. Green, nutty scents might from oxidization, sweet spices and black berry fruit. High in tannin and alcohol build a full body and somehow too flabby. I'll assume it bottle difference.

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• 2016 Trinity Hill Syrah Gimblett Gravels 94 Points

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

  94-95
  Medium ruby, black pepper, spicy, red fruit, savory, cream
  High tannin and long refreshing acidity balanced everything coherently. The finish is so long, pure and spicy.A typical Hawkes Bay Syrah presenting the co-existence of complexity and purity.

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I have to say the Chardonnay and Syrah are definitely two of the most successful and potential varieties among all. The Bordeaux Blend shows the lack of intensity and unripe greeness which might stop it from being a legend. However, the notable spicy and peppery scents will be the identity of Hawkes Bay's Syrah. I'd like to call it petit Hermitage. Chardonnay, with no doubt, already developed into two version: lightly oaked to show more fruity character or impose oak impact heavily to make a Chassagne style buttery white. Both are extraordinary but I have to say the first one is more identical. Sauvignon Blanc? Marlborough, Nelson and Wairarapa would be a better choice.