Report from ... New Zealand Wine Fair, Toronto - May 10, 2012

It started with a seminar about New Zealand Pinot Noir and ended with a wrath of Sauvignon Blancs ... but this year I did not fall into the Savvy B trap, I decided that New Zealand must be doing something other than the goosy and grassy grape and so I set my sights on tasting everything but Sauvignon Blanc (and Pinot Noirs during the general walk around tasting) ... this decision made the room much more manageable, the tasting much quicker and I didn't need a follow-up appointment at the dentist the next day.

The Seminar ... Pinot Noir

A comparative tasting of two wines from different regions within New Zealand ... 60% of all the red grapes grown in New Zealand is Pinot Noir and in 2011 they shipped 1 million cases of Pinot Noir globally, so the grape is having an impact on their industry:

South Island, Nelson -

The Wines ...

Te Mania 2009 Pinot Noir ($23.95) vs Waimea 2008 Barrel Selection Pinot Noir ($19.95)

The Nod ... Te Mania (*** 1/2) with a nice juiciness of fruit

South Island, Marlborough -

The Wines ...

Marisco 2010 The Kin's Wrath Pinot Noir ($25.99) vs Villa Maria 2009 Single Vineyard Southern Clays Pinot Noir ($64.95)

The Nod ... Marisco King's Wrath (****+) it just had a more appealing palate with all that lovely red fruit and the silky finish; the elevated alcohol probably helps too.

South Island, Waipara Valley -

The Wines ...

Muddy Water 2009 Slowhand Pinot Noir ($50.00) vs Pegasus Bay 2009 Pinot Noir ($64.95)

The Nod ... Muddy Water (*** 1/2+), what other wine references a blues legend and a song by the Pointer Sisters, but in truth it was the cigar, spice and strawberry that ruled here with some pretty intense tannin structure.

North Island, Waitaki -

The Wines ...

Ostler 2010 Caroline's Pinot Noir ($45.95) vs John Forrest Collection 2009 Pinot Noir ($59.95)

The Nod ... John Forrest (****+), lean and slightly herbal on the nose but the palate really showed an elegance that pulled it all together.

North Island, Central Otago -

The Wines ...

Akarua 2010 Pinot Noir ($36.95) vs Mt Difficulty 2009 Target Gully Pinot Noir ($89.95)

The Nod ... Akarua (****) with black cherry, floral and perfumed notes on the nose and a primarily fruit driven palate.

North Island, Wairarapa & Martinborough -

The Wines ...

Gladstone 2009 Pinot Noir, Wairarapa ($32.50) vs Escarpment 2009 Pinot Noir, Martinborough (~ $50.00)

The Nod ... Gladstone (****) the nose was Cab Franc-esque with cherry and tobacco and that followed onto the palate with silky tannins and a sexy red licorice note.

The Grand Tasting, minus Sauvignon Blanc ...

Here is my take on the other wines that were on the tasting floor, as mentioned I stayed away from Sauvignon Blanc, and for the most part Pinot Noirs.  The wines are arranged by availability ...

Currently at Vintages ...

Babich Family Estates 2010 Fernhill Viognier ($16.95) - ****

Lawson's Dry Hills 2009 Gewurztraminer ($17.45) - *** 1/2

Marisco Vineyards 2011 The Ned Pinot Gris ($14.95) - *** 1/2+

Oyster Bay 2011 Merlot ($18.95) - *** 1/2

Spy Valley 2011 Gewurztraminer ($19.95) - *** 1/2+

Villa Maria 2011 Private Bin Pinot Gris ($15.95) - *** 1/2+

Pending for Vintages Release (no date given, unless otherwise stated) ...

Coopers Creek 2010 Viognier ($19.95) - *** 1/2

Little Beauty 2010 Pinot Noir ($26.95)

--- soft raspberry and cranberry - **** (Aug. 5)

Oyster Bay NV Cuvee Rosé - Sparkling ($21.95)

--- a must buy bubbly for those summer nights - **** (June 23)

Spy Valley 2011 Pinot Gris ($25.95)

--- full fruited, but balanced with great acidity - ****

Waimea Estates 2011 Spinyback Pinot Gris ($14.95) - *** 1/2

On the General List at the LCBO ...

The People's Wine 2011 Pinot Gris ($16.95) - *** 1/2

Giesen Estate 2011 Riesling ($15.95)

--- supple, slight sweetness and nice acidity - ****+

By Consignment ...

Churton 2010 Hillside Viognier ($36.95)

--- nice leesy yeasty toasty notes - ****

Private Order ...

Forrest 2010 The Doctors Riesling ($21.95) - *** 1/2+

Giesen Estate 2010 Merlot ($19.99) - *** 1/2

Little Beauty 2010 Gewurztraminer ($22.95)

--- very subtle, very nice - *** 1/2+

Marisco Vineyards 2011 The King's Thorn Pinot Gris ($19.99) - ****

Marisco Vineyards 2011 The King's Wrath Pinot Noir ($29.99) - ****

Waimea Estates 2009 Waimea Pinot Noir ($19.95) - *** 1/2

Availability Unknown ...

Archangel 2011 Pinot Gris ($30.00) - ****+

Archangel 2010 Riesling ($30.00) - ****

Coopers Creek 2009 SV Chalk Ridge Syrah ($23.95) - ****

Elephant Hill 2010 Syrah ($28.95) - *** 1/2+

Fairhall Downs 2011 Single Vineyard Pinot Gris ($25.00)

--- creamy pureed white fruit - ****+

Torea Wines 2011 Pinot Gris ($19.95)

--- lovely fruit of apple lime - ****

Rock Ferry 2008 Chardonnay ($29.95) - *** 1/2

Rock Ferry 2009 Tempranillo ($32.95)

--- a real pleasant surprise with nice spice and pepper - ****

Sileni Cellar NV Selection Sparkling Sauvignon Blanc ($16.95) - *** 1/2+

Sileni Celler 2010 Selection Parkhill Pinot Gris ($17.95)

--- nice fruit with a dry finish - ****

Te Mara Estate 2011 Ata Mara Pinot Gris ($19.95)

--- there's a real creaminess here that adds to its appeal - *** 1/2

Yealands 2011 Pinot Gris ($15.99) - *** 1/2+

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