Out Of The Bottle
With David Ellis 2010 Regional Central Otago Pinot Noir & Logan Wines’ Weemala 2009 Merlot
Back
in the 1860s thousands of hopefuls rushed to New Zealand’s Otago region
as the cry of “Gold!” rang out across the South Island countryside –
and today, 150 years on, there’s a new “gold rush” going-on in the
region.
But this time it’s for the wines from vineyards that
many consider impossibly steep and rocky, and in particular Pinot Noir
that’s winning gold at shows and judging from vines that seem to revel
in these toughest conditions.
One maker, Essenze Wines has just
released here its 2010 Regional Central Otago Pinot Noir from fruit
that winemaker Corey Ryan chose from a scattering of vineyards to give
diverse flavours from diverse ripening times.
“Bendigo is the
warmest region,” he says, “giving rich, full-flavoured fruit, while
Northburn Station’s organically-run vineyards produce fruit with a
touch of typical Central Otago thyme, and a half dozen others even
further south give later-ripening fruit with differing but wonderful
red-fruit and floral characters.”
It all makes for a great drop,
particularly at $19.99, whose overall red cherry and plum characters
make it a nice choice with veal cutlets and roast vegies. One For Lunch
With
winter now on us, a great combination for a family or friends’ Sunday
lunch is Logan Wines’ Weemala 2009 Merlot, teamed with roast chicken
and Mediterranean vegetables, or a simple hearty beef stew.
This
wine from Mudgee in the NSW Central Ranges, is one of those brooding
reds to enjoy right now, or to put away in a cool dark spot for
anything up to five years of so to brood to its heart content over its
rich berry-fruit flavours that are paired with tobacco, violet, black
olive and chocolate characters.
At just $18 you’ll realise why
winemaker, Peter Logan says it’s shaping as his favourite from 2009 for
this year’s cold-weather dining enjoyment.
Need a drink?
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