Matua Valley
While Bill and Ross Spence were the sons of a winemaking father, theirs was a winemaking tradition in the old style, one that neither was inclined to follow. Ross had been at the University in Fresno, California, and had experienced the excitement of the California wine innovation, while Bill's time at New Zealand's world famous agricultural University, Massey, had revealed the potential of the country's land. They wanted to make wine in New Zealand that was as good as any in the world.
"+ "Bill and Ross began at the bottom, in a ragged tin shed in West Auckland, in 1974. Not exactly salubrious headquarters, but the wines they released from that first vintage, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Burgundy and Gamay Teinturier, immediately placed them amongst the leading group of innovative winemakers. Chardonnay and Gamay Teinturier were not common varieties in New Zealand at that time, and it was the first time Sauvignon Blanc had ever been produced, but they were committed to a new way, and had belief in their ability to make it work.
"+ "Within a year the success of these wines was being noted. In 1975, the \"Burgundy\" won the first competition trophy for Matua Valley in what has become an illustrious tradition of awards, being made the Champion Red Wine at the Royal Easter Show in Auckland. A less publicized triumph was the impression the Sauvignon Blanc had made amongst the other winemakers, leading to the decision to include large quantities of this variety in the first vineyards to be planted in the now famous Marlborough region.
"+ "One year out, and Matua Valley already had an industry-wide influence with their innovation and vision. The Spence families needed support, however, for the dream was hungry for capital, and in 1976 a new company, Matua Valley Wines Ltd was formed in partnership with another Auckland family, the Margans.
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" Senior Winemaker, Peter Munro "+ "\"Great wine is about structure and balance. The key role of a winemaker is to identify the quality of the fruit and make the wine a balance of that fruit, at all quality levels.\" "+ "To describe Peter Munro's experience as \"a well rounded apprenticeship of winemaking\" (and that's how he describes it) would be a considerable understatement. With a career spanning more than 10 years and across two continents, Peter's March 2006 appointment by Fosters as New Zealand Senior Winemaker is the culmination of a life spent crafting wine. "+ " | |
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" Peter describes his move to New Zealand, following five busy years immersed in Wolf Blass with the Australian Winery team, as a natural destination, for what he sees as an amazing chance to work with world-class fruit in a young, innovative industry. "+ "\"...what better example of an innovative New Zealand wine brand could I have asked for than Matua - New Zealand's first producer of Sauvignon Blanc, now an internationally sought after brand!\" "+ "What does he believe has placed him in one of the most enviable roles in the New Zealand wine industry? "+ "A formal education and analytical abilities balanced with a lifetime of practical hands-on cellar experience. Four years focusing on Sparkling taught him to appreciate subtlety and elegance combined with experience garnered through many US vintages and Australian regions under the tutelage of legends such as John Glaetzer. "+ "His vision... Peter is aiming for nothing less than our New Zealand portfolio to be the international benchmark and who could argue with that! "+ " | ||
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"1. Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007 "+ //wine tasting notes " Light green in colour, passionfruit and citrus fruits fill the nose complimented by complexing flint. The palate is filled with tight passionfruit, melon and lemon fruit. This is all kept in check by the distinctive and chalky Marlborough acidity. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"2. Shingle Peak Sauvignon Blanc 2004 "+ //wine tasting notes " A distinctive and aromatic Marlborough sauvignon blanc, delivering bright and lively gooseberry and passionfruit characters with a hint of lime. The palate is well proportioned with refreshing tropical flavours that linger on the seductive finish. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"3. Marlborough Pinot Noir 2006 "+ //wine tasting notes " Vibrant light cherry red in colour, the nose exhibits perfumed violet aromas, complementing sweet cherry fruit. The palate displays soft, rich sweet fruit, balanced with integrated lingering oak; resulting in a palate of length and complexity. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"4. Shingle Peak Pinot Noir 2006 "+ //wine tasting notes " Vibrant light cherry red in colour, the nose exhibits perfumed violet aromas, complementing sweet cherry fruit. The palate displays soft, rich sweet fruit, balanced nicely with integrated lingering oak; resulting in a palate of length and complexity. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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Parker Coonawarra Estate
Warm and dry ripening conditions resulted in the 2007 vintage producing good quality fruit, however the yields across all varieties were well below average.
"+ "It was a difficult growing season with severe spring frosts (which affected 60% of the region), coupled with unusually dry spring and summer conditions. A drenching rainfall in early January revitalised the vines, restoring soil moisture, which allowed the vines to develop flavour and colour in the grapes. Although flowering and set was slightly uneven, berry size remained small, and combined with the dry conditions, the red varieties matured with no disease pressures.
"+ "Cabernet Sauvignon with strong flavour and spicy tannins is particularly pleasing. Merlot enjoyed the seasonal conditions and ripened beautifully with soft varietal expression and exceptional colour. Shiraz with flavour ripeness, developed generous rich fruit. Chardonnay is showing a good balance of acid and fruit with elegant fruit characters.
"+ "A low yielding vintage, with warm ripening conditions, resulted in good quality, clean fruit showing intense fruit characters with the potential for excellent quality wines.
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" Gordon Gebbie
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" Gordon worked in the wine industry for over 20 years, his experience ranging from viticulture and winemaking to marketing and management. Gordon has completed Degrees in Agricultural Science at Melbourne University and Oenology at Roseworthy Agricultural College in South Australia. "+ "Upon completing his studies at Roseworthy in 1982, Gordon worked as a consultant / winemaker for a number of wineries in association with John Ellis, of Tisdall Wines. This work involved supervision of the complete winemaking process, from the vineyard to the marketplace, and was concentrated mainly in Victoria . Vintages 1983 and 1984, saw Gordon travel to Chateau Rahoul in Bordeaux, working in a supervisory capacity before returning to the Hunter Valley to work as a winemaker at Tyrrell Wines. "+ " | |
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" In 1989, Gordon purchased North Balwyn Cellars, an enterprise he successfully built into a much-respected fine wine outlet. As well as retailing an exciting range of top quality domestic and international wines, he also conducted many tastings and ran extensive wine education programs. "+ "During this time Gordon returned to part-time study at Melbourne University and completed a Masters Degree in International Business. "+ "Since 1990 Gordon has been active in participating in judging at many wine shows throughout Victoria, Tasmania and England. These shows include Melbourne, Rutherglen, Yarra Valley, Ballarat, Hobart and The London Wine Challenge. "+ "Gordon joined Yering Station in 1998 and is now Commercial Director for the Rathbone Wine Group. His broad range of skills and worldly wisdom serve as an integral part of the Parker Coonawarra Estate philosophy and work well to manage and inspire a young and dynamic team. "+ " | ||
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"1. Favourite Son Wrattonbully Cabernet Merlot 2005 "+ //wine tasting notes " Dark red with a red tinge in color. A full nose of dark blueberries, cassis and some leafy Cabernet notes, dark and round. The palate is round and full, the Merlot influence rounding out the palate, solid with fine tannins. "+ "Berry fruit flavours are woven with hints of earth, black olive and tobacco. Intense inky dark berry fruit combining the complexity of Wrattonbully with the intensity of Coonawarra. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"2. Terra Rossa Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 "+ //wine tasting notes " Deep crimson red. Nose is very complex, with lifted notes of ripe red and black fruits, with some sous-bois and spice undertones. Mint and floral, its fragrance of cassis, violets, dark chocolate and cedar / vanilla oak precedes the exceptionally fine elegant and purely Cabernet flavours. "+ "The palate offers great density, with very intense blackberry flavours showing throughout, intermingling with healthy dark chocolate and sweet hazelnut tones. The tannins are very fine and powdery, already showing great integration at this early stage. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"3. Terra Rossa Merlot 2001 "+ //wine tasting notes " The colour is deep red purple tinge. The palate is dense and rich with concentrated dark berry fruit and chocolate flavours combining with fine ‘matchstick’ vanillin oak characters. Complex nose with rich satsuma plum, mulberry and wild blackberry fruit, touches of leather and spice and very fine integrated vanillin oak with a slight ‘matchstick’ French oak character. "+ "The palate structure is genuinely rich for merlot with great structure, fleshiness and length, with firm grape tannins showing through on the finish. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"4. Terra Rossa First Growth Cabernet Merlot 2001 "+ //wine tasting notes " Deep red colour, with a purple tinge. The nose shows lifted liquorice and blackcurrant fruit with some perfumed aromas of violets and toasted vanilla oak. The palate is firm and structured with mineral and blackcurrant fruit and a firm tannin finish. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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FontanaFredda
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" Fontanafredda's vineyards, in the heart of the Langhe, Piedmont, lie on mostly evenly-contoured hillsides and rounded ridges at an altitude of between 200 and 400 metres. The texture of the mainly calcareous soils can differ within the space of just a few dozen metres; at times loose, with a sand content approaching even 50 at others firmer, with a higher proportion of silt, and above-all clay. "+ " |
The climate is typically continental, with wide seasonal variations in the temperatures, while the rainfall, concentrated over the spring and autumn months, is highly variable, which is what produces such extraordinarily different vintages.
"+ "The history of Fontanafredda as a winery began in 1878, when Emmanuel Guerrieri, Count of Mirafiori, dedicated his entrepreneurial skills to wine with passion and far-sightedness. His approach proved to be thoroughly modern, and he developed many influential techniques for producing wines of quality, in particular Barolo.
"+ "Testimony to the estate's noble past remains intact today - the hunting lodge, the hamlet, the extensive cellars, the vineyards - but the winery continues to experiment and move with the times in perfecting what nature and history have handed down.
"+ "Watch their movie clip:
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"1. Le Fronde Moscato D'Astri 2007 "+ //wine tasting notes " Clear and Yellow Straw in color, has a pleasantly sweet taste that is very well-balanced and features honey and just-picked grapes. Intense aromas of musk, locust and orange flowers, sage and honey. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"2. Gavi DOCG 2006 "+ //wine tasting notes " A lovely Straw-yellow coloured wine with greenish highlights and an intense bouquet featuring flowers, vanilla, lemon, lily of the valley and bitter apples. This wine is dry, full, well-balanced and elegant on the finish. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"3. Barbera D'Alba 2005 "+ //wine tasting notes " Deep ruby-red when young, tending to garnet on ageing, it has an intense, characteristically flowery and fruity bouquet, with a full persistent taste which is nicely dry and velvety. Good drinking two years after the vintage, its character and personality rounded off by further ageing in the bottle. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"4. Barbaresco 2003 "+ //wine tasting notes " Attractive ruby-red in colour. A fully-developed nose of light vanilla, intense underbrush and violets. A Warm, soft, lingering taste which is full, velvety and well-balanced. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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Whitehall Lane
Whitehall Lane Winery is located in Southern St Helena just west of Highway 29 near the Rutherford border. The winery owns 110 acres of vines throughout the Napa Valley including their flagship property, Leonardini Vineyard.
"+ "In addition to Leonardini Vineyard, Whitehall also owns Rutherford West Vineyard, Whitehall Lane Estate Vineyard, Fawn Park Vineyard, Bommarito Vineyard, and Oak Glen Vineyard.
"+ "Founded in 1979, Whitehall makes Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc, and Chardonnay. The winery also produces small amounts of Reserve wines. In 1993, the Leonardini Family bought the winery and made significant improvement to the vineyards and production facilities.
"+ "The 2003 Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is noteable not only for its remarkable flavor and aroma profile, but also for the fact that it was the first American wine to be sealed with a glass closure called the 'Vino-Seal.'
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" Dean is a detail-oriented winemaker who works closely with his crew in the cellar, while keeping a watchful eye on the development of the grapes in the vineyard. "+ "He is responsible for all winemaking as well as overseeing the 110 acres of vineyards that Whitehall Lane owns and all vineyards held under contract. He has been making wines in the Napa Valley for the past 22 years and is well respected in the Napa Valley winemaking community. "+ "He combines the experience of working with both European and American winemakers, allowing him to marry classic old-world style with modern winemaking techniques. Dean was born and raised just outside of Rochester, New York. "+ " | |
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" He escaped the East to pursue a career in winemaking and enrolled at U.C. Davis. He majored in Fermentation Science and began gaining practical winemaking experience in Santa Cruz and Sonoma before spending 10 years as an assistant winemaker at Newton Vineyards in St. Helena. "+ "He has also worked at Chimney Rock Winery in Napa and Mario Perelli- Minetti Winery in St. Helena. Dean is responsible for making the wines rated among the top five in the World from The Wine Spectator Magazine. His focus and attention are apparent in this wine and all of the other wines he makes at Whitehall Lane Winery. "+ " | ||
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"1. Sauvignon Blanc 2005 "+ //wine tasting notes " This is a vibrant wine with aromas of grapefruit, melon and hints of peach. It is light to medium bodied and delivers rich and refreshing citrus flavors and excellent balance. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"2. Merlot 2005 "+ //wine tasting notes " This appealing wine offers aromas of blackberries, violet and oak. It gains its depth from a combination of plum, wild berries and cola lavors that are beautifully balanced and lingering. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"3. Cabernet Sauvignon 2004 "+ //wine tasting notes " This Cabernet Sauvignon is an appealing blend of lush fruit with aromas of cherry, currant and spicy oak. The wine has rich texture and flavors of black berry, plum and cherry. With ample fruit, there is good weight in the mid palate with velvety tannins. Beautifully balanced. Drink now to 2012. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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"4. Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon 2003 "+ //wine tasting notes " This is the first wine in the North America to be distributed with a revolutionary glass closure. The Vino-Seal is an elegant alternative to cork. It is easy to open and preserves the natural purity of the wine’s flavor and aromas. "+ "The wine begins with a deep ruby hue. There are aromas of black fruit and mocha that meld with the lush, viscous, well concentrated flavors of black cherry, chocolate and oak-vanilla spice. "+ "This Reserve is round, ripe and deliciously succulent with a long silky and smooth finish. "+ //wine grape varietals & image "
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