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Aromatic Whites

And an apology to the producers.

19 May 2010

I almost did not write up this tasting because I was not happy with the results. I am not talking about the wines, but more about my ability to taste on the day. Just the thought of tasting a big line up of whites that have naturally high acidity on a cold afternoon did not appeal.

I think in this case, the panel was off rather than the wines.

Having said this, there was a couple of wines that stood out. The Matua Valley stood out for its quality and style, whilst the Houghton SSB was a cracker for the price. (The stripe range continues to be available for around $8:00).

Tasted

Matua Valley - Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 (17.3). Clearly NZ in style. Closed and shy to start. The palate is fresh, vibrant, zesty, long, viscous, complex and worked. A big, rich wine with plenty of appeal. Still quite tight.

Cartouche - Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc – 2007 (17). Much more worked and serious. I wonder if the complexity is from barrel ferment characters. There is a touch of lees and bottle development. The palate continues the theme, but there is a touch of honey to close that reflects the bottle age. A good wine, but not typical of the style.

Houghton - Sauvignon Blanc/Semillon – Stripe Range – 2009 (16.9). Soft fruit and a touch of fragrant talc on the nose. The palate is a touch viscous and very long. Acidity is in check and the mouth-feel and complexity are spot on. The panel also found tropical and grassy notes and juicy fruit.

Juniper Crossing – Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 (16.8). Fresh, zesty, lively and fun. The palate is soft and generous to close. Very good drinking, but not too complex.

Catalina Sounds - Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 (16.8). Pungent nose of lantana and herbs, this is quite complex. Textured/viscous palate, with obvious wine-making inputs, the acid is firm, and holds the fruit back. Will improve in the short term.

Moondah Brook – Verdelho – 2009. (16.8). Fragrant nose of lanolin and flowers. The palate is fresh and vibrant, the fruit is long but the acid is firm right now. Will improve for several years and deserves higher points.

Galafrey - Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc – 2009 (16.5). Textural, with a touch of sugar to add balance. This is an easy drinking wine with gentle fruit.

Galafrey - Sauvignon Blanc – Sauvy – 2009 (16.5). Grassy nose on this. The palate is zesty and grassy and full of granny smith apple acid. There is a touch of sugar to balance. Clean.

Frog Rock - Pinot Gris – 2009 (16.4). Floral, spice and musk. The palate is fresh and zesty and long. Mouth filling, with a hint of sugar to add balance.

Angove - Sauvignon Blanc – Long Row – 2009 (16). Complex nose with minerals and some lees characters. Fresh and long, but a touch hollow in the mid palate. There may be a touch of barrel ferment characters to an interesting wine. Good Value.

Houghton - Sauvignon Blanc/Pinot Gris - The Bandit – 2009. (16). I am not sure of the point of these blends, but the wine is pleasant enough.

Houghton - White Classic – 2009 (16). More aromatic and perhaps, balanced. The palate is fresh and a touch viscous/oily. Good length, but without great definition right now. Divided the panel, but excellent value and one that I liked.

James Oatley - Sauvignon Blanc – Tic Tok -2009 (16). Easy drinking. Dog Point - Sauvignon Blanc – 2009.

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