My first time trying this New Zealand winery. Very impressed. This wine is barrel fermented and raised in barrel for eleven months but shows no overt signs of any oak. Probably just a bit of new oak barrels. Golden in color with a tinge of copper. The nose is very nice with orange, stony minerality, and lime zest. This has a very nice texture. It is creamy yet steely if that makes sense. On the palate, it starts with a crisp stony minerality followed by a citrus mid-palate and then all notes crescendo for a full and long finish. It is also delicious. The finish is long. Of course, this is young, but it is drinking well on its own right now. It should work well with poultry, fish and all sorts of lighter fare. It went well sipping while nibbling some Jarlsberg cheese. It should continue to improve for five to seven years but will be good drinking from another ten to twelve. While not inexpensive, if this was from California or Burgundy, it would be double. I am looking forward to trying other vineyards and with some age.
