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Wednesday, March 13, 2013

New Zealand in a Glass 2013 part 2

Part 2.

Elephant Hill
Mapmaker

This winemaker had a few very interesting wines last year...so I was looking forward to seeing what else they had up their sleeve...

Elephant Hill Sauvignon Blanc 2011 - Te Awanga Hawkes Bay
Typical NZ SB but a bit better depth...Last year they had one with oak, this year they didn't..Better than a typical NZ SB but not by much.  28 RRP

Map Marker Sauvignon Blanc 2012
NZ SB.  

Elephant Hill Chardonnay 2010 - Te Awanga Hawkes Bay
Fermented in Oak barrels with no malo, solid chardonnay with good depth but needs more time to integrate the oak...

Map Maker Pinot Gris 2012 - Marlborough.
Fermented in Oak barrels, no Malo...really nice mouthfeel and depth to this.  Far more interesting than most Pinot Gris.  A bit on the expensive side for a Pinot Gris (30 RRP) but definitely worth giving a shot if want Pinot Gris with a bit more to it (which is normally what it lacks). 

Elephant Hill Pinot Noir 2011 - Central Otago
Good acid, bright fruit, smooth tannins, good structure.  Solid overall pinot.  Maybe a bit expensive at 45 RRP but pretty good.  

Map Maker Pinot Noir 2010 - Marlborough
Good Acid.  A bit too fruity but a nice drop.  Reasonably priced at 33RRP.

Elephant Hill Syrah 2010 - Hawkes Bay
Medium bodied, dark and red fruits, some herbs...decent acid...good structure...Pretty good buy at 35 RRP...

Elephant Hill Reserve Syrah 2009 - Hawkes Bay
A bit tight at this point but getting some very dark fruit.  Acid is decent, tannins are pretty harsh still..this needs more time.  Good complexity and depth to this.  A reasonable buy at 49 RRP but hard to say where this is headed...




Francrest Estate
www.fancrest.com
A surprise from last year, I was really looking forward to seeing these as they were quite interesting last year...They have renamed their Di's label to just Fancrest Estate.

Fancrest Estate Pinot Noir 2009 - Omhi Hills Waipara Valley
I remember this being tight last year but you could still see some fruit sticking out.  This has really changed a lot from what I remember.  Good acidity, good structure, overall good balance and depth.  Drinking quite nicely right now..one to follow to see how it develops.

Fancrest Estate Pinot Noir 2010 - Omhi Hills Waipara Valley
I don't know if this has budged from last year.  Very very tight.  Tannins are really quite pronounced.  Some fruit is sticking out but really tough through all the tannins.  Wine is showing really nice complexity and depth..Acid is good...this should be an interesting one.  The structure is there to go long haul..but without the history and reputation, I think it is a hard sell for a lot of people.  I REALLY want to see this next year and in 5+ years...

Fancrest Estate Pinot 2011 - Omhi Hills Waipara Valley
I don't know if Diane did something different in 2011 but the contrast between it and 2010 is tremendous.  Really good acidity showing through, bright fruit, very nice complexity and depth to this Pinot.  Tannins are there, definitely there, but they are adding to the depth and mouthfeel and not detracting from tasting the rest of the wine.  It is drinking very well right now and a good buy at 42RRP.  How will this be in a few years?  After having tried 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011..I have no idea...but should be interesting...

This is an interesting estate overall.  I hope Diane gets more coverage as she is making some really interesting stuff.   It looks like she has shifted her winemaking style because I don't think the change in 2011 is strictly from vintage conditions...I really want to see these in a few years..



Giesen Wines
www.giesenwines.com

Giesen Estate Sauvignon Blance 2012
Very typical NZ SB.

Giesen The Brothers Sauvignon Blance 2011
Good depth of flavor, better than a normal NZ SB.

Giesen The August Sauvignon Blanc 2011
Good Acidity, good depth of flavor, fermented in oak barrels for 9 months and the oak and really added weight and complexity to this.  Really quite nice but 40 RRP for a NZ SB is a bit high..but not too bad.

Giesen The Brothers Chardonnay 2011
Decent acidity, good depth, citrus a good buy at 25 RRP

Giesen Estate Pinot Noir 2011 - Marlborough
Good acid and bright fruit.  Easy drinking and decent buy at 25 RRP

Giesen The Brothers Pinot Noir 2011 - Marlborough.
Really nice acidity and typical Marlborough bright fruit.  Quite a bit more depth and complexity to this...craving a bit more structure though..not too bad at 40RRP








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