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Angelica Wine Club - New Zealand
Sawa Restaurant, Stanley Street
Tasted January 16, 2019 by chatters with 83 views
Introduction
My second opportunity to taste with Angelica and her chums. This time Lawrence was there which we both had a chuckle about. The theme was New Zealand & all the wines were tasted blind.
Flight 1 - Bracket one - Whites (7 notes)
A surprisingly diverse range of wines made this an interesting exercise. I'd forgotten how much fun proper blind tasting can be.
White - Sparkling
2014 Tohu Chardonnay Rewa Blanc de Blanc
"Lemon, quite crisp citrus, a little wood glue, biscuit. In the mouth it's far more sharp citrus, bone dry, a touch of alcohol warmth on the finish with a little burr on the mid palate. Mousse is crisp to the point of coarseness. Young. Not for me.
I guessed blanc de blancs, Marlborough and 2016"
I guessed blanc de blancs, Marlborough and 2016"
White
2015 Pyramid Valley Pinot Blanc Growers Collection Kerner Estate Vineyard
"Rose but very Turkish Delight with pear and lychee. On the palate it's warm, textured, viscose in fact and spiced with alcohol heat. It' lacks a little acidity and finishes with a little bitterness.
I guessed Gewurztraminer, Central Otago and 2016"
I guessed Gewurztraminer, Central Otago and 2016"
White
2016 Tohu Sauvignon Blanc Mugwi Reserve
"Wild ferment funkiness, grapefruit, passion fruit, herbaceous, green herbs, cheesy lees, stuck match, asparagus. In the mouth it's juicy, slightly zesty, buttery with quite a green underpin. Long, balanced, lovely.
I guessed Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2016 made like a Bordeaux"
I guessed Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough, 2016 made like a Bordeaux"
White - Off-dry
2016 Framingham Riesling Select
Lime and slight honey on the nose with more of the same on the palate. With time a little kerosene. The wine is off dry though there is plenty of acid to offset this and a touch of front of mouth tannic burr. Medium plus length very young though. I called Riesling, Marlborough, 2017 and went for Framingham as the producer though their classic rather than select
White
2017 Te Whare Ra Toru
"Slight lychee, raw ginger, sweet spice, a little pear and with more apricot on the palate with plenty of pear skin bitterness. Not for me.
I called this as some kind of Alsace style blend from Marlborough and 2017 vintage"
I called this as some kind of Alsace style blend from Marlborough and 2017 vintage"
White
2013 Cloudy Bay Chardonnay
"Butter, toast, peach over slight lemon, slight toasted nut and sweet spice. Juicy acidity, butter and butterscotch quite warm and broad.
I called chardonnay, hawkes bay and 2017"
I called chardonnay, hawkes bay and 2017"
White
2013 Hans Herzog / Hans Family Estate Arneis
"Waxy, oxidative handling, skin contact, a little lemon and bruised apple, marzipan. Exceedingly acidic, waxy, plenty of alcohol heat, front of mouth grip. Long. All about structure.
I could pick the production method (effectively it's an orange wine) and went for Chenin Blanc, 2012 and Marlborough."
I could pick the production method (effectively it's an orange wine) and went for Chenin Blanc, 2012 and Marlborough."
Flight 2 - Bracket two - Reds (6 notes)
Unsurprisingly undiverse range of wines here…All Pinot other than a single Syrah…no Merlot, no Cab Sav which is unfortunate - a c. But it was fun to look at different wines.
Red
2016 Stoneleigh Pinot Noir Rapaura Series
"Red over black cherry, cream, slight butter, coffee, sweet spice, and a little clay with very slight herbaceous notes. In the mouth it's juicy, fleshy, similar flavours to the nose but with plenty of alcohol heat which is a little off putting. Finishes with a green tannin burr. Hmm.
I called Pinot Noir, Martinborough, 2016"
I called Pinot Noir, Martinborough, 2016"
Red
2017 Tohu Pinot Noir Rore Reserve
"Stalks and wild strawberry, fresh smelling, a little jubey underpin to this. In the mouth juicy red berry fruits talks, slightly jubey, chamois soft tannic burr on the mid palate, Medium plus length. Simply smashable.
I called Pinot Noir, 2017, Marlborough."
I called Pinot Noir, 2017, Marlborough."
Red
2012 Pegasus Bay Pinot Noir Prima Donna
"Brooding black hued fruit, plenty of spice, toast, leather with time a slightly sour red current underpin and a little stalks Plenty of spice and alcohol on the palate over juicy red fruit, leather and a little tannic burr. Complex but not for me.
I called Pinot Noir, 2013, Waipara (a lucky guess)"
I called Pinot Noir, 2013, Waipara (a lucky guess)"
Red
2012 Fromm Pinot Noir Brancott Valley
"Black cherry, spice, alcohol heat, plenty of jubey fruit as well, wild ferment, biscuit. Juicy, alcohol heat, similar fruit, big bold with a soft tannic burr.
I recognised this as one of my contributions. Most people went Martinborough and about 2015-2016 which ties to my thoughts on it still showing as quite young"
I recognised this as one of my contributions. Most people went Martinborough and about 2015-2016 which ties to my thoughts on it still showing as quite young"
Red
2012 Domaine-Thomson Pinot Noir Surveyor Thomson
"Gamey, savoury, alcohol, plenty of spice, leather, meaty over muted black fruits especially cherry and blackberry. More of the same on the palate, juicy, chamois tannins, Hmm.
I called Pinot Noir, Central Otago, 2010"
I called Pinot Noir, Central Otago, 2010"
Red
2010 Dry River Syrah Lovat Vineyard
"White and black peppercorn, wild ferment, quite funky with chacuterie and blackberry. Juicy in the mouth with black pepper, fresh blue and black berry, silky tannins, persistent, long. Balanced, very nice.
I recognised this as my other contribution to the night."
I recognised this as my other contribution to the night."
Closing
Again an exceedingly pleasant evening with some interesting wines - especially in the whites.