Tuesday, 10 August 2010

Johner Estate (Gladstone, Wairarapa) Wine Tasting

We attended a wine tasting with Johner Estate from Gladstone in the Wairarapa this evening at the North Shore Wine & Food Society.

We started with the 2009 Sauvignon Blanc Sur Lie which was lemon flavoured and I thought was more akin to a Riesling from Central Otago.  I actually enjoyed this wine however it is not a typical New Zealand  Sauvignon Blanc (and nor is it supposed to be with the vineyard having a more German style).

The 2009 Chardonnay Wairarapa was our second wine for the evening.  The grapes for this were picked whilst very ripe and hence this is a very different Chardonnay.  In fact, if I was doing a blind taste test I doubt I would have picked it as a Chardonnay.  It had a sweetness to it and lacked intensity, however I enjoyed it for being that something a little bit different.

I know Martinborough/Gladstone is known for its Pinot Noir, however tonight I'm sorry to say the three Pinot Noirs I tasted weren't doing it for me.

The 2007 Carbernet, Merlot & Malbec was my favourite red of the evening with strong blackcurrant flavours and quite tannic however it wasn't a wine I would rush out to buy and I also thought it was overpriced.

My highlight of the night was in fact the 2009 Noble Sauvignon Blanc.  This is a dessert wine that has very strong passionfruit flavours.  I can imagine this being a magnificent wine with Pavlova.

The 2009 Noble Pinot Noir was a nice dessert wine too, however it didn't have any wow factor.

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