Tasting on Tues 5 Feb with Bruce from Eurowines. Interesting mix of N.Z. European and Spanish wines with a Seresin Olive oil taste in between the whites and reds.
Simonnet-Febvre Cremant de Bourgogne Brut NV from Chablis in France – non descript methode 80% Chardonnay / 20 Pinot Noir – lost the bubbles in a few seconds – could have been the glasses though.
Willm Reserve Riesling 2006 from the French Alsace – dryish (7gms/l RS) Apricot / limes / apples but I think this is too young – needs another couple of years.
Wairau River Marlborough Riesling 2006 – nice Riesling – typical stone fruit and citrus, clean mineral acidity – again needs more time – preferred this over the Willm.
Torres Gran Vina Sol 2006 from Pendes in Spain – 80% Chardonnay and 20% Parellada, a variety I’ve never heard of – fermented separately and 6 mths lees aging then into Limousin oak. A bit flowery in the nose, but the fruit flavours (peach?) and oak balance well. Not my kind of Chardonnay though!
Te Mata Estate Woodthorpe Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2006 – nice wine as usual – great fruit concentration and oak balanced well, hint of Malolactic from barrel fermentation and lees – elegant finish, nice weight in the mouth.
Stonecroft Serine Hawkes Bay Syrah 2005 – lovely dense colour, almost ruby but lighter it’s Aussie cousins. Black berries and plums – velvety tannins – ncely balanced wine.
Torres Nerola Syrah 2005 again from Penedes in Spain – 80% Syrah / 20% Monastrell (Mouvedre) more raspberries and cherry in this one – mix of oak barrels contributing toast, mocha and vanilla. Nice wine….
Finished off with a Lustau Pedro Ximenez Sherry – licorice / black / raisins / sweet as…. Delicious.
Olive Oils from Seresin were Organic Extra Virgin: Plain, lemon and lime infused – wonder if the pepper finish and sharp flavours hadn’t dulled the palate for the reds though.
