New Zealand vs The rest of the world
My house
Tasted December 31, 2016 - January 1, 2017 by ThomasE with 291 views
Introduction
Blind tasting over 4 courses at the end of the year. Aim for similar price point and vintage. Scores represent tasting over two days
Flight 1 - Courgettes with smoked cheese and cherry tomato stuffing (2 notes)
Both wines complimented simple favours well, Vouvray richer and more complex. Easily picked the NZ wine On day 2 enjoyed with BBQ mussels.
White
2014 Astrolabe Wines Chenin Blanc Wrekin Vineyard
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Pale, Tropical fruits on the nose, more fruits on the palate, touch of lime rind, some stone fruit, dry and aromatic but lacks depth or length. Nice wine, would suit shellfish and probably the best NZ Chenin i've had but the price would choose French or SA
White
2014 Marc Brédif Vouvray
France, Loire Valley, Touraine, Vouvray
Pale straw, complex aromas, citrus, great palate, braeburn, garden lemon, firm acidity that balanced the residual sugar. Worked well with strong cheese dish but excellent with BBQ mussels on day 2.
Flight 2 - Oven baked basil scented kingfish with kale chips and pesto (2 notes)
Both wines were excellent with the beautiful meaty fish, and less appealing on their own. Difficult to pick NZ from a good big Californian Chardonnay.
White
2013 Greywacke Chardonnay
New Zealand, South Island, Marlborough
Yellow, rich aromas, honey, funky, quite funky on the palate initially but very complex palate, stone fruit, with lees, honey kept tight with minerality. This wine is excellent; the complexities mean it is definitely best with food; I would like to try again soon for a second opinion, the score may be higher
White
2012 Chalk Hill Chardonnay Sonoma Coast
USA, California, Sonoma County, Sonoma Coast
Frank Yellow, Rich nose of honey and butterscotch,big on the palate, toasted honey oats, some ripe citrus, rich voluptuous texture, a little oily rather than butter. Medium finish, great expression of Californian Chardonnay and well enjoyable
Flight 3 - Mixed Mushroom Risotto (3 notes)
Shingle beach is very typical Otago pinot, fantastic exhibition of fruits and herbs but interesting the Coldstream complimented the food perfectly and had the savoury aspects that I enjoy. Terra Sancta would be tremendous with lamb. Pirinoa added in as half bottle left from night before. Not in the same class unfortunately.
Red
2012 Terra Sancta Pinot Noir Shingle Beach
New Zealand, South Island, Otago, Bannockburn
Light purple, dense fruity aromas, black cherry and boysenberry, herbal, spearmint in particular Fabulous palate, more fruits with thyme & oregano. A little chalky at the back of the palate. Length shorter than had hoped and minimal savoury aspects. This wine is classically central otago, would be tremendous with lamb.
Red
2012 Coldstream Hills Pinot Noir
Australia, Victoria, Port Phillip, Yarra Valley
Brick, Red fruits on the nose, including redcurrant and cherry. Great palate, with more red fruits and savoury aspects, mushroom and forest floor. restrained and well balanced, a great expression of pinot.
Red
2009 Pirinoa Road Pinot Noir
New Zealand, North Island, Wairarapa, Martinborough
Brick, overripe strawberry, cherry on the nose, funkiness continue to the palate, and dominates over cherry cola and wild mushrooms. Drinkable but not memorable
Flight 4 - Beef Cheek Bourgionon with kumara mash (2 notes)
What was hoped to be a close call, turned out to be landslide for the Hawkes Bay. Kaesler was over oaked and whilst this was ok with the food, it totally drowned out any complexity in the wine or food.
Red
2010 Mills Reef Cabernet Sauvignon Elspeth
New Zealand, North Island, Hawke's Bay
Deep crimson, cassis, herbs and a whiff of smoke. Palate tastes a little stalky and green, bit more smoke and some dark fruit. Depth and length better than its stablemate but lacks the elegance and true varietal expression.
Red
2011 Kaesler Cabernet Sauvignon
Australia, South Australia, Barossa, Barossa Valley
Dark red, oaky nose, touch of vanilla , minimal fruit. Dense fruit on the palate is unfortunately dominated by spicy oak, lack elegance or length. Needs rich food, but even still, I struggle to find enough complexity beyond the bold flavours.
Flight 5 - Cranachan, Blueberry Almond Cake (1 note)
Day 1, this didn't suit the sharp/savoury aspect of the Cranachan but when rank with a sweeter dish, it really came to the party and was excellent
White - Sweet/Dessert
2013 Pegasus Bay Riesling Aria Late Picked
New Zealand, South Island, Canterbury, Waipara
Straw, rich aromas, citrus with some honey, as usual the balance is excellent, with perhaps less complexity than other vintages but can still appreciate the honey and sugar with ripe citrus and firm acidity
Closing
An enjoyable tasting. I think this has confirmed my view that Chenin should be enjoyed from the Loire Valley or South Africa. The Coldstream Pinot would be interesting on a larger flight with a selection of NZ Pinot
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