Giesen Fuder Clayvin Vineyard Chardonnay 2012

Giesen Fuder Clayvin Vineyard Chardonnay 2012

  10:00    Stu.

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Tasted blind in a bracket of four Chardonnay, mix of years and regions.

Another barrel ferment Chardonnay, where evidence of that technique is clearly on show. Carried out with an even hand, not assaulting the nostrils: the toast, creamy smoke give the wine a profile that lends gravitas.

Spice, toast, textural - giving a fuller, rounder presence to the wine. None of that skinny, picked far too early nonsense here I add. Nutty, creamy - of substance.

Powerful - holds a line based on the spice that is evident throughout. Impressive. 92

Tasted on: Saturday 7th March, a Fruit to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $60
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://giesen.co.nz/

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Cooks Lot Handpicked Chardonnay 2013

Cooks Lot Handpicked Chardonnay 2013

  10:00    Stu.

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Tasted blind in a bracket of four Chardonnay, mix of years and regions.

Handpicked, whole bunch, free run juice. Barrel fermented, partial solids and wild yeast. Some good inputs there, deliberate choices from winemaker Duncan Cook, pursuing a style.

Shows the barrel ferment character floating over citrus - mandarin segments even - with some vanilla creme.

Good old fashioned Chardonnay: butter, spice, lime brulee even; balanced - nice inputs of fruit, acid and residual oak here. Spice dominant. Good going. 91

Tasted on: Saturday 7th March, a Fruit transitioning to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $35
Alcohol: 13.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.cookslot.com.au/

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Willow Bridge Estate Dragonfly Chardonnay 2014

Willow Bridge Estate Dragonfly Chardonnay 2014

  10:00    Stu.

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Tasted blind in a bracket of four Chardonnay, mix of years and regions.

Classic stonefruit aromas here, a little green melon. Bit of almond husk, a savoury edge.

Texture on entry, pitch and zest, pure and fresh. Pretty good length. Very good for the price on the reveal. 89

Tasted on: Saturday 7th March, a Fruit transitioning to Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 12.1%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: www.willowbridge.com.au

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Willow Bridge Estate Dragonfly Chenin Blanc 2014

Willow Bridge Estate Dragonfly Chenin Blanc 2014

  10:00    Stu.

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Fresh, offering up citrus - grapefruit, specifically - with some chalk and wet stone. Touch of husk, sea spray too.

Lemony tang, textural nuance - a little phenolic bitterness; balance of punchy flavour, acid and feel.

Good flavour travel. Pretty good example of a fresh and fruitsome Chenin, a gateway example. 90

Tasted on: Friday 6th March, a Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $18
Alcohol: 12.3%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: https://www.willowbridge.com.au/

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Ridgemill Estate Merlot 2012

Ridgemill Estate Merlot 2012

  17:59    Stu.

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Leads with a sweet perfume that's more in the berry spectrum. With time, and air, that segues to a little wood, olive skin and herb.

Initially juicy, acid feels a touch jangly at first - berry fruit, a little tart blueberry. You start to see glimpses of the savoury edges, and the blue fruit comes back on day two, tannin settling into a good rhythm within itself. Touch and go a point higher 89

Tasted on: Wednesday 4th March, a Leaf to Fruit day
Source: Sample
Price: $30
Alcohol: 14.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://ridgemillestate.com/ridgemill-estate-wines/

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Guthrie Wines 'Obtenu Bois' Sauvignon Blanc 2013

Guthrie Wines 'Obtenu Bois' Sauvignon Blanc 2013

  09:40    Stu.

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'Obtenu bois', meaning 'with wood' or perhaps 'got wood', a reference to the fact it is 100% barrel fermented and as per the Guthrie website: " Handpicked from a single vineyard...whole bunch pressed to seasoned French oak hogsheads...juice was then left for a slow, wild ferment. The wine sat undisturbed on fermentation lees for around 12 months before being bottled."

Soft white florals - magnolia and a little vanilla, against tropicals in the realm of a little guava, kaffir lime. But it's also about what it's not, and that is the pungent Sauvignon Blanc that you may be use to, judicious picking and the techniques employed see to that.

It's the palate where the greatest impact is seen. That time on lees and under wood have giving the wine deliciously textural and drying feel. Spice is a factor here, a little ground ginger and a chalky, powdery feel to proceedings. Grown up Sauvignon Blanc, excellently executed. Another fine example of what you can do with Sauvignon Blanc when you show it a little love. 93

Tasted on: Sunday 8th March, a Root day
Source: Gift
Price: $27
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.guthriewines.com.au/

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Angullong Sauvignon Blanc 2014

Angullong Sauvignon Blanc 2014

  16:21    Stu.

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Good aromatics here: kiwi-fruit, grapefruit, lemon and lime, touch of grass and herb. Good combination. 

Palate shows more of the citrus, good balance of acid against a little drying phenolics - all contributing to back palate drive and length. 

Little latent hint of fennel at the conclusion. Good wine - without artifice - even more so given the price. 90

Tasted on: Sunday 8th March, a Root day
Source: Sample
Price: $19
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Screwcap
Website: http://www.angullong.com.au/

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