New Zealand- Central Otago- Rippon Winery with Nick Mills
Tasted Wednesday, July 20, 2005 by cousteau with 691 views
Introduction
Nick shared his vision on wine making. A very inspiring view about organic and biodinamic wine "farming". His task is to make his craft a perfect expression of Rippon´s surrondings. Terroir in a more holistic sense, very interesting indeed.
Flight 1 (6 Notes)
Closing
Nick quoted the australian wine consultant Richard Smart as saying that one could only make the best pinot noir from vines 8 years old or younger. He agrees this is absolutely true, but he and quite a few burgundy producers are not trying to make perfect pinot noirs, they´re all trying to make the best expression of their terroir.
2002 Rippon Sauvignon Blanc 85 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
Greenish light yellow. Traditional, straight forward sauvingnon blanc. 20% barrel fermented. Has sustained it´s acidity and fruit very well. Correct wine.
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2001 Rippon Riesling 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
Pale yellow. Lively and very mineral on the nose. It´s a perfect expression of the xist soil. Some aging has opened it a little for some secondary aromas but i find it still a little close, could open further with more age. Although not a great wine, this reveals a very recognizable effort of letting this noble variety express it´s surroundings.
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1999 Rippon Chardonnay 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
Bright yellow color.Very mineral, unique, burgundy like. This chardonnay isn´t simply traditional chardonnay, it´s chardonnay at 45 latitude planted on xist soil. This reflects on the palate with a more linear structure and feel. Seems there was very little intervention by the winemaker. Very nice wine.
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1998 Rippon Pinot Noir 84 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
Brownish red color. Very intense cherries on the nose, some earth and a little game behind. The palate seemed kind of hollow, no structure left, for me this is almost dead.
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2000 Rippon Pinot Noir 86 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
Red color and cherries on the nose. A good expression of terroir. The young pinot vines deliver a good structure. The xist soil is well represented here. Mineral notes on the nose and on the palate. A little too herbaceous and acid, could have more balance I believe.
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2001 Rippon Pinot Noir 88 Points
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Lake Wanaka
Lively red. Earthy, mineral and cherry on the nose. More elegant and balanced than the others. Less fruit, concentration, and more secondary notes, a little bitterness on the palate. Good expression of Rippon´s terroir as revelaed by Nick although he did not produce this vintage.
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