Accolades 2011

The Judges said "The wine exhibits classic pinot elegance and discreet power with ripe cherry, game & spice flavours leading to an impressively long finish by fine, firm tannins".

http://www.airnzwineawards.com/default,6606,spy-valley-marlborough-pinot-noir.sm

"Light lemony yellow colour. Lemon Sherbet aromas, a flick of anise and lime juice on the nose. Bright, sassy palate with hints of stem ginger, lemon/lime concentration at the core, giving a delicacy and precision that is exceptional. A very lovely Wine." - Judges Tasting notes.

Spy Valley 2011 Spring Releases

Consistency must be one of the factors for Spy Valley’s success.  Year in, year out, the quality of the wines is very high, and while they show vintage characteristics, one can count on Spy Valley delivering good drinking, varietal clarity and the interpretation of place.  This is a sure sign of the settled nature of the vines and the work that viticulturist Adam McCone has put in, as well as the careful winemaking of Paul Bourgeois and Kathy-Lee Sowman.  The new 2011 Spring Releases are a continuation of what Spy Valley has been doing since their first releases of a decade ago.  www.spyvalleywine.co.nz   

Spy Valley Marlborough Riesling 2011  «««««

100% Riesling from the ‘Johnson Estate’ fermented to 12.5% alc. and 8.9 g/L rs, a portion in seasoned oak.  Bright, light lemon-straw yellow with green hues, this has a softly fresh bouquet of lime fruit, yellow florals, with notes of sherbet and honey.  Dry to taste, the palate has concentrated flavours of limes with hints of honey, sherbet and perfumed talc characters, the richness balanced by crisp acidity, resulting in soft, and very fine textures which lead to a sustained, dry, minerally finish.  This is a dry and finely textured Riesling with an intriguingly rich array of aromatics and flavours that is drinking well already.  The wine will match Asian cuisine over the next 4-5+ years.  18.5-/20  Sep 2011

Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2011  «««««

Bright straw-yellow colour with lemony hues and a pale edge, this has a voluminous nose with subtly intense aromas of ripe pears and white stonefruits along with pear and nuts.  Off-dry to taste, the soft, rich and unctuous texture and weight combined with well-ripened flavours of pears and tropical fruits feature, as does the fresh acid balance which lifts the fruit expression.  At present, a little alcohol heat intrudes on the finish, but this may integrate as the wine becomes richer with time in bottle.  100% Pinot Gris from ‘Johnson Estate’ and contract growers, fermented to 14.5% alc. and 9.6 g/L, a portion in old oak, with some MLF conversion.  Serve with Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine over the next 3-4+ years.  18.5-/20  Sep 2011 

Spy Valley Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2011  «««««

Bright, pale straw-yellow colour with a pale edge.  The nose is very fine and elegant in expression with lifted red florals and Turkish Delight aromas, along with nuances of honey and spice.  The delicacy and purity of bouquet is a highlight.  Medium-dry, the palate balances extremely fine textures and a rich oiliness with delicate, seamless layers of rose petals, exotic flowers honey and spice.  There is depth and good concentration, but fresh acidity and moderate alcohol lend a fine poise and proportion.  The finish is long and flows with fruit notes.  Fruit from the ‘Johnson Estate’ and contract growers, fermented to 14.0% alc. and 12.5 g/L rs, a portion in seasoned oak.  A Marlborough Gewurztraminer with beauty and elegance to match with mildly spicy Asian food and moderately firm cheeses over the next 3-4+ years.  19.0-/20   

Made from five different gewurztraminer clones from France and Germany selected to give spice and weight to the wine. Fermented in small oak vessels with a tiny amount of malolactic fermentation. A late-harvest style of gewurztraminer that's clearly been made from very ripe grapes. Luscious but not cloying, with layers of exotic floral, musk, tropical fruits and oriental spice flavours. Very impressive wine, rich and lingering.

The judges described the Gewurztraminer as a luscious example of the joyous, exotic characters that this challenging variety throws out.

"This luscious Kiwi Gewurztraminer captures the unique, decadently lush personality of the grape perfectly. There's an incredible volume of complex aroma - a cornucopia of rose petals, lychees, oriental spice, floral talcum powder - and an intense palate of excellent depth and structure."

Brilliant pale-edged straw-yellow colour with gold-green hues, this has a soft, full bouquet with density and depth of complex secondary aromas of cooked gooseberries and beans with herb notes, along with subtle barrel-ferment notes. Dry to taste, the palate is an amalgam of ripe tropical fruits, herbs and nettles with well-judged barrel-ferment oakiness. This is softly concentrated, and texturally fine, though a touch of alcohol comes through. The finish has good acidity and is sustained. Serve this complex wine with grilled seafood and Middle Eastern vegetable dishes over the next 3-5 years.