When at Raffles, experience Dubai…When at Raffles, experience Beijing…so were the advertisement banners in the elevators of Raffles Hotel, Singapore. This time, it shall be “When at Raffles, experience New Zealand” wine growers! It was an evening with the kiwis, wine growers strutting their stuff (some for the very first time) in Singapore. Along with the growers were many from the trade, media and writers such as Singapore’s reknowned palate, Mr Ch’ng Poh Tiong .
It was a great session not only to taste wines but to mingle around the growers and one can definitely sense the enthusiasm and passion that these growers posses. It made wines not just for consumption but also to cherish the labourious efforts these growers have stamped into each vintage and each bottle making the fruits of their labour worth every drop . Another reason that makes masterclasses and events like this worth attending would be the eye opening experience to their local scene which can be rather educational! A very interesting fact that I picked up was how the ‘Abel clone’ also known as the ‘Gumboot clone’ got its reputation. This Abel clone was actually nicked off the famous Domaine de la Romanée-Conti (DRC) in Burgundy and brought in illegally into New Zealand (NZ), hence vineyards with this Abel Clone would have a ‘sense of Burg’ in their wines!
Lastly, when at Raffles (after visiting NZ)…..experience the Raffles cellar! We were fortunate enough to have our guide, Raffles sommelier himself, Dheeraj Bhatia to lead us through the ‘maze’ of Raffles Hotel to the cellar. Once a lifetime? Perhaps not, but surely it was very delightful to have had come this close to the prized collections that many can only dream about. Such bottles/ magnums…Chateau Margaux 1900, Y’quem 1900, La Tache, DRCs!!! Just imagine a ‘car in a bottle’!
Now back to some highlights, (but not limited to) for the night…
Two Paddocks, 2006 Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
Fruits for this Pinot Noir are sourced from three different vineyards across Central Otago. The first of which comes from vines in Gibbston Valley aged around 17 years while the other two vineyards of about 10 years of age are from Alexandra. This Pinot is available from Hermitage Wines.
Bouquet: Floral bouquet opening up with red cherries with a hint of earthiness.
Palate: Fruit focused on the palate with red cherries and light earthiness for a medium bodied wine that has medium acidity.
Gibbston Highgate Estate, 2007 Soultake Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
Murky and slightly cloudy…my first question, “Is this filtered?”
Vineyard director, “Unfiltered and unfined”
This Gibbston vineyard is about 25 years old, producing good quality fruits for the final blend of which there is also a proportion of the legendary ‘Abel clone’! Beautiful wine and my understanding is this wine will be made available at Rev Wines.
Bouquet: Sweet strawberry candies (think strawberries and cream), some Turkish delight nuances and light undergrowth
Palate: If the palate is too ‘ripe’…fret not, the fruit here is pure and the palate smooth with flavours of red cherries, some dark plums and light earthy savouryness with a nice acid backbone and soft tannins.
Lime Rock, 2007 White Knuckle Road Pinot Noir (Central Hawkes Bay)
Central Hawkes Bay…if you’re thinking why are they growing Pinots in Hawkes Bay? Then, you’re not alone…Central Hawkes Bay is a new and upcoming wine growing region in NZ and (nope) it is not in Hawkes Bay. This is single vineyard Pinot Noir for those who enjoy terroir and the essence of a particular vineyard.
Bouquet: Spicy and floral with cherries and a hint of meatiness.
Palate: Intense cherries with beautiful spice notes and a touch of earthy tones. Simple and nicely done
Weka River, 2007 Pinot Noir (Waipara Valley)
Those who enjoy simple wines, here is a good choice. Simple, easy drinking wine for the times that too much thinking has been done over the day and wines are for simple relaxation in the evening!
Bouquet: Dark fruity nose with a savoury touch plus some spiciness.
Palate: Soft tannins for easy enjoyment with some dark cherries coming through on the palate
Cambridge Road, 2008 Syrah (Martinborough)
Not all Pinot here, but hang on…YES, SYRAH in Martinborough! The winemaker did not get it wrong, on the contrary, this is the second oldest Syrah vines in NZ, planted in 1986!
Bouquet: Rhone beauty comes to mind with pepper, sweet spices, licorice and bitter dark chocolate.
Palate: Medium bodied, cool climate styled syrah with a nice fruit core showing red fruits, pepper and some spiciness (not alcoholic though) with very soft tannins à perfect for enjoying now!
Mount Difficulty, 2002 Pinot Noir (Central Otago)
Yes, an 8 year old Pinot and drinking beautifully.
Bouquet: Musky white pepper, red cherries, spices, ‘dark earthiness’ (if it makes sense) and some meaty notes.
Palate: Nice body and lushes, velvety mouthfeel with soft grained tannins at the back held by vibrant acidity à palate sensations = dark cherries, white pepper, savoury earthiness and a hint of meaty tone as displayed from the nose.
Haythornthwaite Wines, 2008 Noble Gewürztraminer (Martinborough)
Good parents = good upbringing = well mannered off springs, while good genes = good quality.
The winemakers themselves are a beautiful couple, which has been reflected in their wines. One may call me bias, but the palate speaks for itself. I have had the honour of vertically tasting the pride of their winery the Susan’s Gewurtztraminier - 2008, 2009, 2010 (speaking of which the 2010 is not even released yet!) The 2008 has developed a great and rich mouthfeel after 2 years in the bottle, I can only imagine how good will the 2010 develop as it current is showing a very promising structure of fruits and acid with a poised balance. Perhaps, we’ll all find out in due time!
Lastly, to end any occasion well…we had a good and NOBLE ‘sticky’ from Haythornthwaite Wines.
Bouquet: Ripe tropical fruits, rich thick honeyed aromas plus ripe apricots and hazelnuts.
Palate: Rich but remains fresh mid way through with layers of ripe mangoes, bananas, apricot crème and a dose of mild hazelnutty ending with lingering residual sweetness.
Always trust your PALate, it’s your PAL!
Cheers!
