FirstPress recently had the opportunity to travel to Waiheke Island, a short 30 minute ferry ride from Auckland. And what awaited was a very enjoyable wine tasting experience at four of the island’s vineyard cellar doors.
Goldwater Estate (www.thegoldieroom.co.nz)
Waiheke Island Goldie Chardonnay 2010 – pale yellow in colour, green apples and cream bouquet giving way to light buttery mid-palate displaying good fruit, leading to a dry finish. A fine example of New Zealand chardonnay. NZ$32
Waiheke weeping Sands Syrah 2009 – light red in colour, perfumed nose of blackberry and red currant, hint of spice and pepper on mid-palate with vanilla tannins, and long finish. A softer very drinkable style. NZ$32
Te Whau Vineyard (www.tehau.com )
These wines showed the impact of minimal intervention by the winemaker on the fruit harvested from very steep, north-facing slopes sheltered from the prevailing wind, but enjoying a maritime climate. No pumps are used in the gravity fed winery, and the winemaker used no finings.
Te Whau “The Point” 2006 (14.0% alcohol)
Cabernet Sauvignon 50%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 15%, Malbec 5%.
– “Claret” red colour, a concentrated nose with hints of liquorice, clove and cherry. Rich, dense, ripe fruit with cigar-box notes and a long finish with abundant tannins.
Te Whau “The Point” 2007 (14.0% alcohol)
Cabernet Sauvignon 54%, Merlot 31%, Cabernet Franc 10%, Malbec 4%
– Dark venous red colour, a concentrated black fruit driven nose. Round and full palate with good fruit, soft tannins and a savoury, cedary, beautifully integrated finish. Delicious. NZ$70
Te Whau “The Point” 2008 (14.0% alcohol)
Cabernet Sauvignon 57%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Franc 9%, Malbec 4%
– Dark venous red colour, a concentrated black currant and damson plum nose. Round and full palate with excellent fruit extending throughout, soft tannins and a savoury, cigar-box, well structured integrated finish. Delicious. NZ$70
Man O’ War Vineyards (www.manowarvineyards.co.nz )
At the far eastern end of the island, Man O’ War have a number of small vineyards, all contributing their individual terroir to the wines. The idyllically located tasting room is situated just metres from the thin strip of white sand that rims Man O’ War Bay. The views and situation are not the only spectacular things on display at Man O’ War.
Valkyrie Viognier 2010 (14.5% alcohol)
Medium yellow colour, intense stone fruit bouquet, very lifted and framed with sweet vanilla. The mid palate has lovely apricot intensity with good acid structure in the mid to back, and is well balanced for a wine of such high alcohol. Excellent. NZ$30
Ironclad Merlot Cabernet Franc 2008 (14.5% alcohol)
Merlot 52%, Cabernet Franc 27.0%, Malbec 10.5%, Petit Verdot 9.1% and Cabernet Sauvignon 1.4%
This medium red-coloured wine has a complex aroma of cassis and red summer berries, earthy undertones with a touch of floral fragrance, tarmac and leather reminiscent of Bordeaux style. A delicious wine that will re-frame your expectations of southern hemisphere merlot blends. NZ$ 39.95
Dreadnought Syrah 2008 (14.0% alcohol)
This dark red wine has aromas of white pepper, star anise and blueberries with hints of charcuterie and a subtle floral fragrance. The mid palate is vibrant, with ripe layers of complex characters that unfold as the wine opens up in the glass revealing subtle hints of spice and meaty game, a rich supple palate with the graphite-like tannins. Superb. NZ$ 39.95
Cable Bay Vineyards (www.cablebay.co.nz )
In a short period of time Cable Bay has forged a reputation for elegantly crafted wines, well matched to food. FirstPress dined at their acclaimed restaurant and sampled just three of their white wines.
Cable Bay Gewurztraminer 2008
Pale yellow in colour, with lifted passionfruit and tropical fruit salad nose, giving way to mouth-filling wine with a dry finish. Very good. Excellent match with the Pork Rillons. NZ$ 10 per glass.
Cable Bay Viognier 2010
Medium yellow in colour, with bouquet of apricots and yellow peaches, and a mouth filling textured mid-palate, the wine was well matched with the Venison Carpaccio. NZ$ 11 per glass.
Cable Bay Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2008 (14.0% alcohol)
Medium yellow in colour, with a nose of tropical and stonefruit characters, moving to a creamy, biscuity mid-palate, with a lingering finish including nutty complexity, good fruit and traces of minerality. Excellent. NZ$ 12 per glass.
So next time you find yourself with half a day to spare in Auckland, take some time to visit the vineyards of Waiheke Island.