Happy New Years Day – My first review for 2011.

Cool but sunny day here in Christchurch and just finished a nice traditional lunch with a lovely roasted pork fillet, rosemary roasted vegetables paired with the third wine from the new release line up from Mackenzie’s Pardon – Methode Traditionelle 2008 made in the Blanc de Blanc style from 100% chardonnay grapes.

Winemakers notes: “Chardonnay was picked early in the morning with no additions to the harvested grapes to allow the oxidation of the large course phenolic compounds. Once at the winery, the grapes were gently pressed and settled in tank for 12hours. The clear juice was fermented with neutral yeasts to dryness, after which the wine remained on gross lees for 8 months. Natural malolactic fermentation in the spring was followed by fining and filtering. The second ferment was then introduced to the wine, before bottling. The wine remained on yeast lees for 12 months before disgorging.”

The wine was bright and straw / lemon gold in with hints of lime, fine persistant mousse / bubbles continued for ages, right to the last mouth-full. Brioche and yeasty nose, creamy on the palate with nice acid / fruit structure and concentration giving a fine dry finish with finesse – a very nice and reasonably priced wine with a RRP of $23.00… I rated this wine 16/20 0r 80/100 – Bronze Medal.

MacKenzie’s Pardon wines are available at Fresh Choice and Super Value stores across the country and from www.mackenziespardon.co.nz – you can  follow them on Facebook too: http://www.facebook.com/pages/MacKenzies-Pardon/125502117496853

For more information about Prostate Cancer, awareness support and useful contacts head to www.prostate.org.nz and www.blueseptember.org.nz