Wine Fair : Wine for Asia 2008 (Auntsfield Estate Ltd)

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Lorna from Auntsfield Estate was very nice to send me the tasting notes of the various wines at her booth at Wine for Asia 2008.

The number one, numero uno on my list is :

Auntsfield Estate Heritage 2005 Pinot Nior

This wine is only produced in exceptional years when a selection of wine exhibits amazingly defined character.
The resulting Pinot Noir is a pure expression of vineyard character. The aromatics are heady with complex fruit and earthy character. They seem to both tantalize and seduce until the wine is tasted and the journey continues. The palate shows layers of silky texture, dark fruit and savoury flavors that reveal, evolve, express and continue. An expression of place for us all to enjoy.

Tasting Notes

Colour: Deep ruby/crimson, very intense.

Aroma: Black Doris plum, dark cherry, dried spices and Christmas cake with tobacco & cigar box notes. Dry forest floor, with underlying dark chocolate, coffee, vanilla and rich smoky oak.

Palate: Big rich fruit dominated by dark berry fruit, cherry and ripe spiced plums. A rich palate showing great complexly with interwoven spices, fruit and savoury flavours. The wine has a long rich finish with silky, ripe tannins and unbelievable length.

Long Cow 2008 Sauvignon Blanc

Really nice distinct aromatic scents, definitely showcases the best of NZ's Sauvignon Blancs.

Auntsfield Estate produces a distinctive style of Sauvignon Blanc. The style is aimed towards texture, complexity and length, balancing the typical Marlborough fruit spectrum and aromatics with richness and mouth feel. The fruit for this wine was grown on the original "Long Cow" Paddock, land used in colonial times to graze the Auntsfield house-cow.

Colour : Pale straw/gold.

Aroma : Lifted aromas of passionfruit, gooseberry and rich tropical fruits with hints of lemon and lime blossom.

Palate : Full, rich and elegant. This wine shows intense flavours of passionfruit and gooseberry balanced with ripe tropical fruit reminiscent of papaya, banana and wild honey. Underlying minerality balances the generous palate weight and mouth filling texture. A complex wine with a long lingering finish.

Cob Cottage 2007 Chardonnay

Aromatic layers of ripe stone fruit and nuances are integrated with a subtle sweet French Oak influence. The ripe full-bodied palate of pure fruit is balanced by mineral and citrus notes. An elegant wine showing both fresh vibrancy and rich depth. The grapes for this wine were grown near the site of an early Cob Cottage which was the home of Doctor Stewart, Marlborough’s first medical practitioner.

Colour : Rich straw gold

Aroma : Intense and complex. This wine displays aromas of peach, apricot, nectarine, mandarin and lemon blossom with a subtle sweet French Oak influence.

Palate : Intense pure stone fruit with a rich ripe texture and complex nuances. Apricot, nectarine, peach, butterscotch and toffee are balanced with elegant mineral and citrus notes. A wine of seamless length and complexity.