 |
CELLARING NOTES
|
We have compiled the following cellar notes and recommendations as a guide for when to drink your Stonecutter wines. Cellaring conditions vary and how the wines hold up into the future is obviously uncertain, so we suggest you try a bottle occasionally.
The wines will be reassessed and the recommendations will be updated on a regular basis.
|
Pinot Noir
|
1999
|
Ripe dark plum and cherry fruits are still fresh, but tempered by a rich earthy and leathery complexity. Tannins soft but still robust. Now to 2009+
'(this) vintage from new Stonecutter suggests this tiny estate may be worth watching' Jancis Robinson Wine News 2001
|
|
2000
|
Lingering cherry characterises this wine. Still firmly structured, it may yet add more layers though it's a bit straightforward at this stage. Now
|
|
2001
|
Suggestions of seashore, sweet dark berries and a hint of clove. Long complex finish. We expect it to improve in cellar for another 3 - 5 years. Now to 2009+
‘Think of thick, plummy fruit. Lovely perfumed nose.Yum. A delight. Excellent value Simon Hoggart Spectator
‘Fragrant.Fine and gentle” (17) Jancis Robinson NZ Pinot tasting on her website
Top Tip and Best Buy Tizwine.com regional tasting
|
|
2002
|
Sweet red currants, raspberry and cherry with a pleasing spiciness developing. Beginning to add an elegant earthy tier. Silky texture. Now to 2009
‘ Medium bodied, well fruited... A wine with good Pinot characters to unfold. Peter Saunders in 'Saunders on Wine 212.'
‘Bold, bright cherry fruit and vanilla spice, intense. Juicy ripe cherry flavours, silky texture, gently spicy, concentrated though delicate. Long.
‘ Recommended ‘ Decanter Magazine UK July 2004 and selected for Decanter “Top Wines of the Year” Dec 2004.
|
|
|
Merlot
|
2001
|
Rich dark fruit with a fine complex of merlot currant and 'gutsy' flavours integrating wonderfully. Delicious now or cellar on. Now to 2008
Top Tip and Best Buy Tizwine.com regional tasting July 2003.
|
|
2002
|
Bright flavours of black currant and tarriness combine with that Merlot meatiness. Velvet mouthfeel, long rich finish. Now to 2008
Soft, sweet scented noseGood flavour spectrum-tobacco, currants, vanilla -and fine ripe tannins to finish. **** Capital Times October 2003
Very nice wine; almost Pinot Noir-like in its smells and flavours! Supple, aromatic, plenty of body and soul; will develop further
Peter Saunders ‘Saunders on Wine 212.
|
|
2004
|
This wine is still developing with soft brambly tones on the nose and plummy flavours in the mouth. Soft textured and long finish Now to 2009
|
|
|
Pinot Gris
|
1999
|
Colour deepened to amber suggests an aged wine. Flavours of old sherry show this wine is past its best. Try now but don't be surprised if it's past it.
|
|
2000
|
Lively stonefruit and mealiness with a rich creamy, oily texture. Lingering citrus finish. Try now or hold for another year or two. Now to 2008
|
|
2001
|
Quite subdued flavours with hints of lime and nuttiness. Medium length and fresh, we don't expect much more development. Drink up
|
|
2002
|
Fresh bright spiced pear and peach flavours with rich almond notes. Suggestion of oily texture developing. More to come. Now to 2008
'classic, beautifully expressed Pinot Gris.' C Cumerford Capital Times September 2002.
|
|
2003
|
Lightly poached peach and almond fruit. Soft but bright acidity with a creamy mouth feel promises more to come. Now to 2008
|
|
2004
|
Soft straw coloured with a rich pear and white peach nose and a hint of mealiness. The palate has a bright ripe stone fruit front, a clean lively middle and a very long fruit and nutty finish. Now to 2009
|
|
2005
|
Pale honey colour and aromas of pear with white peach, a hint of quince, almond, nutmeg and gently roasted oats in the mouth. It has a soft finish with lovely lingering sweet fruitiness. Now to 2009
|
|
2006
|
Deepening straw colour and aromas of nashi pear and peach. The mouth flavours show white peach, almond, and a bright sweet spiciness. It has an extended finish with sweet fruitiness tempered by a whisper of bitters. Now to 2009
|
|
|
Topaz
|
1999
|
Tropical fruit mix and wild comb honey are becoming wonderfully well integrated. Satiny texture. Hints of sherryishness suggest not much more benefit from cellaring. Drink up
'This is a fantastic wine!' John Douglas Te Hera Estate 2004.
|
|
2000
|
Bright fresh fruit - pineapple, melon and mango with wild honey. A whisper of moist clay and fresh made hay. Now to 2009
|
|
2001
|
Passionfruit, melon and lychees and that wild honey again. A hint of diesel -maybe the higher fraction of Sauvignon Blanc. Rich oily satin texture. Now to 2009
|
|
2002
|
Lychees and the ubiquitous Topaz wild honey. Fresh bright flavours say this is good for more years yet. Now to 2009+
|
|
|
|
|
|
