What with a major earthquake devastating Christchurch especially the eastern suburbs where I live, tasting and reviewing  has taken a back seat of late…

Back in December 2010, Ursula at Blackenbrook sent me three new aromatics to try and review – a 2009 Riesling, 2010 Pinot Gris and this bottle of 2010 Muscat. I haven’t tasted this variety before so was looking forward to a new experience – I was very pleasantly surprised with this wine.

This was the first commercially produced Muscat in the South Island of NZ using sustainable production methods, accredited by Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand

Floral in the nose (the winemaker’s note says rose petal ) but I couldn’t pick that immediately – more spice notes for me – quite delicious on the palate with some stone fruit. a hint of raisins and a little  citrus (orange / mandarin) made it mouthwatering – got the juices flowing.

I expected a sweeter wine (has 20g residual sugar) but balanced with 13.0%  alcohol and great acidity it’s not cloying at all – in fact it has an element of that spicy dryness that you often get with Gewurztraminer – had such a great finish/length too.

Thanks Ursula for giving me the opportunity to taste and review this – I’m always looking for new wines to try and this is certainly a special wee drop… Cheers!

I Rated this wine 18/20 – 90/100 You should check it out for something new and different to try…

http://www.blackenbrook.co.nz/wines/blackenbrook_muscat_2010