April’s Wine Club tasting at Decanta Tapas Bar in New Plymouth, was presented by Martin Grieg of Ngatarawa Wines from the Hawke’s Bay. A great turnout as always – if you are live in Taranaki i can recommend you get along to a tasting here…
Martin entertained us all with a history of the Corban Family, their journey from Lebanon, pioneering activities in the early days of the New Zealand Wine Industry, and excellent information on the region, varieties and the wines presented for tasting. He had us in fits with his impersonations of winemakers from other countries, France, Germany the US and a great Scot / Billy Connelly one too.
“Ngatarawa have been making wine with the same kinds of grapes their family has been working with for over a century – Merlot, Syrah, Chardonnay and Riesling. Beyond this they are working with new and experimental varietals and styles, blending art and science to make wines for the 21st century.”
We were spoiled tonight with nine wines to try, four of which were matched with delicious Tapas as usual, and generous prizes for the draw at the end.
Here are the wines in tasting order with my scribbled notes. Click on each wine’s heading to visit the @Ngatarawa Website for more information and to purchase wines, especially if you didn’t get to the tasting…
Stables Reserve Rose 2016
100% Merlot – Pretty soft strawberry pink in colour with red berries and cherries on the nose. Bright berry fruit on the palate, soft acidity & a lovely drying finish – matched with a Salmon Blini.
RRP: $16.00
Glazebrook Pinot Gris 2015
Pale onion skin in colour, pears, apple and spice both in the nose and on an uncious textured palate – off dry – delicious.
RRP: $19.00
Stables Gewurztraminer 2016
Pale lemon gold in colour, floral, spicy with stonefruit in the nose, a burst of lychee, ginger and spice on the palate. Great with Spicy Asian food!
RRP: $15.00
Proprietors Reserve Chardonnay 2014
100% Barrel Fermented in French Oak. Golden yellow in colour, butterscotch, stonefruit and subtle oak on the nose, big creamy textured palate of lush stonefruit and complexity. Matched with a creamy chicken curry on pastry.
RRP: $34.00
Glazebrook Pinot Noir 2016
Light black / red cherry in colour with dark berries, oak, spice and earthiness in the nose. Palate full of texture, dark berry / cherry flavours, silky tannins, toasty oak and tight dry finish! A little mushroom vo-au-vent was a great match.
RRP: $22.00
Glazebrook Merlot 2015
Deep indigo in colour with lighter rim, dark plum and a little green stalk/herbal notes on the nose, rich plum, fruit cake and chocolate on the palate, integrated toasty oak and tannins make for a very drinkable wine.
RRP: $19.00
Proprietors Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2013
Deep black cherry/ purple in colour, smoky plums, forest floor, green stalk and cassis in the nose, big grippy tannins, dark fruit and oak on the palate, complex layered and powerful wine. Matched with a spicy meatball with cheese / tomato sauce! My second fave wine of the night!
RRP:$39.00
Proprietors Reserve Syrah 2014
Almost black / indigo in colour, black and blue berries, spice and pepper in the nose, rich full palate of dark fruit all juicy and spicy, fine tannins and a long complex finish that goes on and on. Be fab with a nice venison loin! My absolute fave wine of the night!
RRP: $39.00
Proprietors Reserve Noble Riesling 2014
Lovely way to finish the evening – Golden almost orange in colour, Fragrant citrus, apricot and honey in the nose, lemon / lime acidity balances the high residual sugars and intense fruit for a lucious, moreish but not sickly sweet dessert wine. Gorgeous!
RRP: $39.00 375mls
Keep in touch with Ngatarawa Wines on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/StablesWines