Yealands Estate Single Block Series
My first introduction to Yealands Estate was back in May 2009 when the amazing winery and cellar door in the Awatere Valley had not been open long – Glenys and I visited and spent time with the cellar door host, learning about the development of the vineyards and winery and tasting our way through the 2008 range, taking a mixed case home to try over the next few months. We have visited several times since then and the wines just get better and better each vintage.
I needn’t go into any great detail about Yealands Estate – They have carved out their place in NZ Wine History as one of the most sustainable wineries in New Zealand with full accreditation through the Sustainable Winegrowers New Zealand programme. Their other environmental auditing initiatives include carboNZero certification and ISO14001 environmental management systems accreditation.
“The Single Block wines are crafted from parcels of exceptional fruit from vineyard blocks recognised for the distinctive flavours they produce.”
There is plenty of information, in fact everything you need to know, on their website. On to my impressions of the wines – four recent releases from the Single Block Series…
Yealands Single Block S1 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012
Bright pale green gold in the glass, on the nose are aromatic tropical fruit and herbal notes. I got lots of tropical and stone fruits on the palate and it’s a lovely weighty and textural wine with bright acidity leading into a long juicy finish! Alcohol: 13% RRP $25.00
Yealands Single Block M2 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012
Soft straw coloured in the glass, WOW! a pungent nose with a mix of green capsicum, tropical and a bitter citrus pith elements. On the palate there’s lots of intense fruit flavours with a zingy acidity right through the middle. Loads of character… luscious! Alcohol: 13% RRP $25.00
Yealands Single Block L5 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough 2012
I got lots of wild herbs in the nose with ripe citrus and a creamy textural mouthfeel from the 6 weeks lees contact, has a mineral backbone, great depth with concentrated fruit, and fine acidity giving it wonderful length. Alcohol: 13% RRP $25.00
Yealands Single Block R7 Pinot Gris Marlborough 2012
Bright straw coloured in the glass with stonefruit honey and spice on the nose – lots of pears, melon and spice on the palate – nicely textured, spicy & quite dry, in a word? very elegant…Alcohol 14% RRP $25.00