10 December 2010
What the winemakers are drinking this summer…
Summer wine picks from Hawke’s Bay winemakers
A dozen Hawke’s Bay winemakers have revealed the wines they are sharing with family and friends over the hot summer months. With the rider that they couldn’t select any of their own wines, this is what some of the region’s notable wine palates recommend:
Hugh Crichton, Vidal Estate:
2009 Te Mata Estate Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc – “If Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc isn't your thing then try this Hawke’s Bay version. It shows ripeness yet restraint, is beautifully fragrant and complex with barrel fermentation and aging adding depth to the wine without overshadowing it. There are a number of other good examples around but this one consistently performs. A great food wine with the ability to age.”
2008 Craggy Range Gimblett Gravels Syrah – “Syrah is the darling of the Hawke’s Bay wine industry and it's not just us saying it! International critics are paying notice and singing high praises and you can see why when examples like this come along. Craggy and others are doing great things with this variety but this wine shows everything that is good about Hawke’s Bay Syrah; intensely varietal showing fragrance and spice, ripe but not over ripe allowing the vibrancy of the wine to show through and integrated oak offering support not dominance. Ideal when matched with local produce. It will age well.”
Antony Mackenzie, Te Awa Winery:
“l’ll be drinking plenty of Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc blends this summer. Blends with Semillon or even wines that are lightly oaked are great additions to the Hawke’s Bay lifestyle. Wines such as Te Mata Cape Crest and Alluviale Blanc come to mind as wonderful expressions of this style.”
Grant Edmonds, Sileni Estates:
Clearview Semillon (whatever the current vintage is) – “This is the thinking man’s (that should be person’s) Sauvignon Blanc. Slightly floral, think wild herbs, with hints of pineapple and citrus, good mid-palate weight, clean finish and beautifully balanced. Try it with fresh seafood such as prawns or scallops, and make sure you have another one in the fridge.”
Warren Gibson, Trinity Hill:
“It has to be Chardonnay, with fineness and acidity, a little struck match and subtle cool climate grapefruit on the nose. Moderate alcohol with a hint of classy new oak and a fine but long finish. Something I can cellar and will get better, not worse.
“So I can’t go past the 2007 vintage and pick the 2007 Rifleman’s (or older) and 2007 Vidal Reserve Chardonnay. We will only have to wait until the 2010s are released to see the very best of what Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay can do past the 2007 vintage.”
Peter Cowley, Te Mata Estate Winery:
Sacred Hill Riflemans Chardonnay 07 – “A fabulous example of the world’s greatest white wine style.”
Trinity Hill The Gimblett 08 – “Beautifully shows the vibrant fruit and delicious tannin of Hawke’s Bay Merlot /Cabernet.”
Chris Scott, Church Road Winery:
Craggy Range Les Beaux Cailloux Chardonnay – “Complex, classy and refined. Perfect for serious summer drinking.”
Kate Galloway and David Ramonteau, Alluviale Wines
Te Mata Cape Crest Sauvignon Blanc 2008 – “It’s come together nicely - an excellent example of sophisticated Sauvignon Blanc.”
Bilancia La Collina Syrah 2008 – “A youthful yet pure and powerful drop.
We should really cellar for a while yet to do it justice but hard to resist when you
want a wine to take your time over with friends.”
Tony Bish of Sacred Hill:
Trinity Hill bubbles, Brookfield’s Bergman Chardonnay, Easthope Syrah.
Tim Turvey, Clearview Estate Winery (tongue in cheek):
“I love the new Sacred Hill Rifleman’s Chardonnay 2009. Why? Because it’s the nearest wine to our Reserve Chardonnay!”
Dave McKee, Winemaker, Black Barn
Alluviale Blanc 2009 – “For its seamless texture and balance, and a great food wine.”
And finally a succinct reply from
Rod McDonald, Rod McDonald Wines:
Askerne 2010 Gewurztraminer.
