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TastersGuildNY New Zealand 2009 Aromatic Wines
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Tuesday June 15, 2010 |
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Speakers: Dana Johanson, USA Representative New Zealand Trade and Enterprise; Andrew Harris, Owner StoneCrop Wines
Dana Johanson gave us a quick overview of the outstanding quality of New Zealand’s 2009 Aromatics. We then tasted 12 award winning wines. We tasted Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Pinot Gris and Gewurztraminer from regions throughout New Zealand which illustrated the diverse regional styles. We also tasted several red wines, a Pinot Noir, Merlot, and Syrah. The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009 was the favorite Sauvignon Blanc. Woollaston Nelson Riesling 2008 tied with Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer South Island Marlborough 2009 for favorite of the Other Whites Flight. Stonecrop Pinot Noir Martinborough 2008 was the favorite Pinot Noir. Babich Winemakers Reserve Syrah Hawkes Bay 2006 was the favorite red. Everyone liked Forrest Estate Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2006.
We were all impressed with the quality and variety of New Zealand wines.
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| Flight I: Sauvignon Blanc |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Stonecrop Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2009
Vibrant citrus fruit aromas, crisp, full flavored, round, balanced.
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3 |
$15.00 |
Hunter's Jane Hunter Sauvignon Blanc Wairau Valley Marlborough 2009
Big tropical fruit, grapefruit, long finish.
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3 |
$14.99 |
The Crossings Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2009
Mineral, and passion fruit aromas, melon and stone fruits on the palate. Complex, delicious, long finish. The favorite of this Flight.
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9 |
$14.99 |
Mahi Ballot Block Sauvignon Blanc 2008
Aged in French Barriques for 10 months. Lightly fined for bottling. Aroma of toast and oak on palate, less fruit, less acid, round.
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0 |
$22.00 |
| Flight II: Other Whites |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Woollaston Nelson Riesling 2008
Crystal clear, very light straw yellow in color. A floral nose, with chalk dust and citrus notes. The mouth feel is velvet, with crisp delicate flavors expanding over your palate. Smooth citrus flavors and light minerals upfront, with a long finish. Delicate in nature, the tart edges are rounded off the fruit, with just a touch of acidity. Tied for Favorite of Other Whites. |
8 |
$18.00 |
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Greystone Wines Grey's Peak Pinot Gris Waipara Valley 2009
Limestone soil. Dry, round fruit, full flavored. Succulent ripe pear aromas, and has mouthfilling aromatic flavors of spice and quince with a rounded finish. The richly textured wine has a lusciousness displaying great weight and length. |
4 |
$20.00 |
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Lawson's Dry Hills Gewürztraminer South Island Marlborough 2009
Grown on clay soil. Aromatic nose, spice, off dry, rich, full bodied, rose petal and ginger on the palate. Complex. Tied for favorite of Flight II. |
8 |
$18.00 - $20.00 |
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Crossroads Winery Chardonnay Hawkes Bay 2009
Never arrived for the tasting.
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N/A |
$0.00 |
| Flight III: Pinot Noir |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Stonecrop Pinot Noir Martinborough 2008
Balanced and elegant with well-integrated flavors of red fruit, minerals and oak. The favorite Pinot Noir. |
11 |
$22.00 |
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Kawarau Estate Pinot Noir South Island Central Otago 2008
Organically grown. Sweet fruit on nose and palate. Black current and raspberry aromas are complemented by gentle tannins to drink now or in 3 years.
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9 |
$65.00 - $70.00 |
| Flight IV: Reds |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Te Awa Hawkes Bay Merlot 2007
Closed nose, red fruit, full mouth, balanced. Drink now. |
7 |
$20.00 |
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Babich Winemakers Reserve Syrah Hawkes Bay 2006
95% Syrah, 5% Viognier
The fruit was fermented with the Viognier in open vats and tank with hand plunging.
The finished wine matured in new and old French and American oak for a period of 12 months. The Viognier gives a floral note to the wine. The nose has dark ripe fruit, with earthy mushrooms. The dark fruits and mushrooms are carried on the palate with black pepper notes. A long finish and a very powerful wine. The favorite of this Flight.
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10 |
$26.00 |
| Flight V: Dessert |
Votes |
Full Retail $ |
Forrest Estate Botrytised Riesling Marlborough 2006
Opulent aromas of apricots, toffee and marmalade with a refreshing citrus burst.
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All liked |
$27.00 |
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