BABICH GIMBLETT GRAVELS GEWURZTRAMINER 2007
Grapes:
100% Gewurztraminer
Region:
Hawke`s Bay - Gimblett Gravels
Winemaker:
Adam Hazeldine
Recommended Food:
An excellent partner for Asian-style food - try fish in a coconut-based sauce, or works equally as well with hot baked ham.
Recommended Cellaring:
2-6 years
Production Notes:
Grapes were harvested when physiologically ripe from Hawke’s bay, crushed and held in the press for a period to extract flavourful terpenes from the skin. The grapes where then pressed and the free run juice transferred to old French oak “Puncheons” in temperature controlled coolrooms where the juice was fermented between 16-18C. Wild yeast found in the vineyard was employed to help build interest, reveal and retain the varietal character of the wine. The wine was also left to age on lees after ferment for a period of 9 months.
Tasting Notes:
The nose displays an enchanting lychee and rose perfume character layered with toffee notes. Lovely rich lychee follows through from the bouquet joining with sweet grapefruit and a mineral complexity on the palate. The length is pleasing and the wine is nicely balanced with sweet fruit and spice. This is a lovely example of Gewürztraminer tending towards old world complexity with plenty of power, texture and generosity.
Awards:
GOLD - TROPHY
-Hawke's Bay A&P Mercedes-Benz Wine Awards 2009
SILVER MEDAL
-Bragato Wine Awards 2008
SILVER MEDAL
-NZ International Wine Competition, Sept 09
Reviews:
"Lovely honeysuckle and pear aromas lead to a fragrant and spicy palate that has good texture and well integrated acidity. Elegant and full of potential."
-TiZwine.com, May 2009
"Gone from our minds but not forgotten, gewürztraminers like this are utterly delicious every season. Love its spicy, floral flavours and the just off-dry finish. Chill lightly and kick off a late lazy afternoon with this wine."
-MindFood.com, Joelle Thomson, May 2009
"An old-name winery with a long history of making good gewurztraminer, Babich Wines has created this luscious, spicy, off-dry fruit bomb from the Gimblett Gravels Hawke's Bay. Drink with your favourite Thai food."
-Sunday Detours, NZ Herald, Joelle Thomson May 2009
"Softly mouthfilling, slightly sweet style with citrusy, spicy flavours and a
well-rounded finish. Ready."
-Winestate Magazine, Hawke's Bay Tasting, September/October 2009
"Lemonstraw. This is a subtler and purer wine than the Waimea, the volume of English rose varietal bouquet being extraordinary. Below are wild ginger blossom and lychee aromas of good gewurztraminer, all crisper and cooler than the opulent Waimea. Palate is fresher and more fragrant too, just a slight suggestion of the closely-related muscat grape, all slightly sweeter, but the saturation of these flavours is just as good, due I suspect to well-aerated lees-autolysis, and possibly even subtlest MLF [ not likely, on later inquiry ]. It is scarcely a question of better or worse between these two, rather just two wonderfully contrasting styles of Alsatian-quality gewurztraminer to revel in. This wine illustrates an exciting way to make gewurz. Cellar 3 – 8 years."
5 STARS
-www.geoffkellywinerevies.co.nz
"I judged this wine at the 2009 Hawke's Bay Wine Awards and was blown away by its quality. It is no secret that I love Gewurztraminer and this is a stunning example. The intense primary aromas of Turkish delight and bourbon rose have been joined by some complex bottle developed aromas of musk, cinnamon and spice. Just glorious."
-Jane Skilton MW, Wine NZ Magazine, Dec 09
"Softly mouthfilling, slightly sweet style with citrusy, spicy flavours and a well-rounded finish."
-Michael Coopers' Wine Buyers Guide to New Zealand Wines 2010
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