Another brilliant Tasting at Decanta Tapas Bar with Lawson’s Dry Hills Chief Winemaker Marcus Wright and Ian Issacs who is the local Rep for LDH!
Marcus introduced us to a little history of and people behind Lawson’s Dry Hills, the vineyards and the wines.
“The original company vineyard was planted in 1980 by Ross and Barbara Lawson, who launched the Lawson’s Dry Hills label some twelve years later, in 1992. Today, the company’s wines include Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris, Pinot Noir and our famous Gewurztraminer, all made from fruit grown in Wairau, Waihopai, Omaka and Awatere Valleys. These different regions and carefully selected vineyard sites provide varying characteristics derived from the different soils and microclimates, giving many options when it comes to blending to that much-anticipated Lawson’s style.”
You can find out a lot more and purchase wine here at the Lawson’s Dry Hill Website –
This evening we were privileged to taste nine wines from the LDH, Reserve and Pioneer Labels all of which were much appreciated by the members. As usual several of the wines were matched with delicious tapas by the Kitchen team at Decanta Tapas Bar. (If you haven’t been to a tasting here you should make a point of coming along soon!)
Here are the wines in order with my scribbled notes on each wine – Click the heading for each wine to visit the relevant page at Lawson’s Dry Hills for more winemaker and tasting notes, and purchase where available.
THE WHITES
The Whites
Reserve Sauvignon Blanc 2016 – 13% ABV RRP: $25
Pale Sta coloured, intense tropical & herbal nose – medium bodied, full flavoured juicy tropical fruit, chalky acidity, rounded finish.
Riesling 2014 – 12.5% ABV RRP: $20
Pale lemon lime coloured, honey & floral nose, fresh apples and limes, crisp acidity, juicy off dry finish. Fresh!
Pinot Gris 2016 – 13.5% ABV RRP: $25
Pale onion skin coloured, sweet nashi pear and spice in the nose and on a lovely textured stonefruit palate, medium viscocity, soft acidity. Lush!
Pioneer Gewerztraminer 2015 – 14.5% ABV RRP: $30
Very pale, hint of pink, pretty floral notes, spice, turkish delight in the nose leading into a lovely viscous body, mouth filling, textural, rich long finish.
Chardonnay 2016 – 13.5% ABV RRP: $20
Pale straw-gold, creamy stonefruit nose, fresh peach and citrus on the palate, no oak but malo / lees stirring make for a lovely textured, bright fruit-forward Chardonnay
THE REDS
The Reds
Pinot Noir 2015 – 13.5% ABV RRP: $25
Light Cherry coloured, cherry, plum and a little forest floor / earthiness in the nose, rich fruit palate with soft tannins and integrated oak. Delish – needs a little more time!
Reserve Pinot Noir 2015 – 13.5% ABV RRP: $30
Bright cherry red coloured, a smokey fragrant nose with a hint of oak, rich dark cherry, plum and red berry fruit on the palate, silky tannins and a long warm finish!
Reserve Pinot Noir 2012 – 14.5% ABV (N/A – Library Stock for comparison)
Stunning deep black / red cherry coloured, softer more subtle nose of smoke, spice and vanilla, big powerful dark fruit palate integrated tannins / oak / alcohol – drinking beautifully now!
Pioneer Pinot Noir 2013 – 14% ABV RRP: $38
Medium Cherry / berry red in colour, more dark berries, cherries and a whiff of savoury notes on the nose, rich fruit driven palate with chalky tannins, toasty oak, beutifully balanced. Elegant!
So again Thanks to Marcus and Ian for travelling from Marlborough and Taupo to present tonight – and thanks to John & the team at Decanta Tapas Bar for your attention to detail as usual.
