Kawarau Estate (NZ) organic wine tasting, July 4, 2008

The Time and Date: Friday, July 4, 2008   1 PM to 5 PM
The Event: Informal drop in event to taste Kawarau Estate Vineyard
organic wines from New Zealand.
The Venue: Fine Wine Reserve's tasting room.
The Target Audience: media, private customers.
The Availability/Catalogue: Depending on the wine, all wines are
available through the LCBO or consignment or private order via The
Living Vine <mark@thelivingvine.ca>
The Quote: "We're doing 50 tons now, and probably 90 tons by 2011 – all
organic."
The Wines: Winery owner Charles Finny was on hand to discuss his wines,
which are all certified "organic". Kawarau Estate is in Central Otago;
The Living Vine deals exclusively with wineries that produce organic or
biodynamic or sustainable wines.

 

**** Four Stars (91+ in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Kawarau Estate Reserve Pinot Noir 2007 - $38.95. The previous SEVEN
consecutive vintages have produced Gold medals. This one, just
released, will also get Gold. Wild yeast used. Aged 10 months in French
oak, complex but too young for drinking now. Tried against creamy
cheeses. The LCBO has some 2006 slated for February 2009 release at
$38.9, but also watch for the 2007.
-Kawarau Estate Reserve Chardonnay 2007 – 13.5%, $29.95, 600 cases
available. BF and BA in French oak for 10 months, wild yeasts, treated
in the same way as the Reserve Pinot Noir, a consistent Gold winner.
Plush mouthfeel but a long finish, can stand up to foods, and will last
a long time if correctly cellared.

 

***1/2 Three and a Half Stars (88 – 90 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Kawarau Estate Sauvignon Blanc 2007 – the 2008 will be $20 by
consignment. Very good herbs, Euro style, long length, tried against
pepperoni.
-Kawarau Estate Pinot Noir 2007 – the 2006 tasted was $29.95, made from
younger vines and aged 10 months in older French barrels. Very
different from the Reserve but wild yeast is still used. More exuberant
and youthful.

 

*** Three Stars (85 – 87 in Quality/Price Rating terms):
-Kawarau Estate Pinot Gris 2007 - $21.95, five cases left, 2008 on the
way, tried against smoked kielbasa, but I found the meat overwhelmed
the wine which was clean and minerally.

 

The Food: local cheeses from a variety of milks, some sausages too.
The Contact Person: Mark Cuff <mark@thelivingvine.ca>
The Effectiveness (numerical grade): 90.

 

 

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