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Friends
of Black Ridge
Christmas Newsletter 2010
Dear
Friends
Our harvest in April/May was a very positive one when we finally got underway in late April. However, the long wait for wine maker Adam Kimpton to give the go signal, was well worth while. The fruit was abundant and intensely ripe, particularly the Pinot Noir. Tasting through the barrels now, we can see that 2010 vintage will make some stunning wine. It's quite a job to taste 50 barrels – but, as they say, someone has to do it!
Winter was reasonably mild, at least by our standards, but then it dragged on into early spring with a succession of cold wet southerlies during August and September. Southland had the major snow storm that killed countless lambs in September, and, although the snow passed us by, our ground was wet and cold going into October. Fortunately, we started to get some warmer weather but felt sure we were in the firing line for major frosts. However, imagine our surprise to have no frosts at all ! What's more, we've had the most amazing spurt of growth in the vineyard and now the vines are flowering – the earliest in 29 years. We love this La Nina weather.
Christmas is hard on our heals again and its high time to organise some great wine for the festive season. The long-range forecasters are talking about a long hot summer so we live in hopes of a great barbecuing season. We have three particular wines that are a perfect accompaniment for barbecues.
Wines for Barbecues
Our Otago Gold 2009 is a very handy wine for chilling right down for easy drinking on warm evenings. Again made in a medium style, it is soft and fruity, hinting of apricots. No need to cellar - its ready for drinking right now.
The Conroys Chardonnay 2009 (unoaked) is a lively dry wine that shows all the lovely flavours of chardonnay – white peaches and nectarines. This is the style of the famous Chablis region and is very versatile wine which goes well with both white or red meats. A light chill is all it needs on a hot day.
Our Conroys Rose 2009 is also a dry wine. It beguiles the eye with a deep blush pink and, being made from cabernet sauvignon, has a depth of flavour which makes it a more serious wine than most roses. Hints of strawberries make this delightful wine. It can take a light chill.
Now to More Serious Wines
Enjoy at Christmas or put down in your wine cellar.
Riesling
We only have a little left of the 2008 Riesling which is very dry and now maturing into honeyed flavours. A great wine for Riesling fans who delight in more aged flavours. It's also an amazing wine to cellar because it lasts for many years and ages with such grace.
The 2007 Riesling is made in a medium style. With a little more residual sugar this Riesling is more approachable for those that enjoy the lemony characters of Riesling but like a softer style. This wine is also showing honeyed flavours.
Chardonnay 2008
The new vintage of Chardonnay has just been bottled as there are only a few cases of the 2008 left. The subtle oak flavours add a vanilla sweetness to the wine as well a hint of smokiness. This enhances the peachy/nectarine flavours of the grapes and accompanies a wide range of food from chicken dishes to the stronger flavours of red meat.
Gewurztraminer 2008
Perfumed and spicy, this is a luscious wine which is intense and rich in aromas and flavour. Wonderful with blue cheese or curries. Drinking well at present but is also a great wine to cellar. We're ticking into the last pallet of this wine so a good time to ensure you have some bottles tucked away in your cellar.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2008
Our secret weapon! The big tannins in this wine are now softening and becoming more approachable. Plenty of ripe fruit with blackcurrants dominant A gutsy wine for a hearty steak.
Conroys Pinot Noir 2008
This is the second bottling of the Conroys Pinot 2008 and we decided to blend what was to be Black Ridge Pinot Noir into last of the Conroys Pinot. It's very interesting that some vintages, the 2008 being one, are hailed as great vintages at the time of harvest, but later down the track the wine just doesn't come up to standard. As a result of the blend, the Conroys Pinot 2008 benefited from the Black Ridge component and has a surprising depth of flavour for its price point. It will also cellar well.
Black Ridge Pinot Noir 2007
This is a standout wine. Rich in aroma and flavour, velvety in texture, silky in its tannins, lingering in its after taste, this is a delicious wine. Still has some maturing to do, a great wine for special occasions and definitely a wine to cellar.
Reserve Pinot Noir 2006
A big beautiful wine that is still evolving in bottle. Almost there and if you have a special celebration it will rise to the occasion if left to breathe for a time. This will be a long lasting wine for your the cellar.
Verdun is still messing round with his boats and having loads fun. He was part of the rescue boat team during Labour Weekend. A rowing regatta being held on Lake Dunstan, needed stand-by boats to rescue any crews that got into difficulties. Fortunately no one needed rescuing so Verdun and his crew had a lovely cruise and happily cooked and ate their sausages before coming home. Sue is now pursuing her uncle's story – a spitfire pilot shot down in the English Channel during WW2. Kuce is feeling a bit sorry for himself after a front paw got slightly munched in a cat fight. However, he is still managing his rabbit duties despite tangling with other cats.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas with plenty of wine and a Happy New Year
Cheers
Sue & Verdun & Kuce |
