Congratulations to Wim Julicher, Sue Darling and winemaker Outi Jakovirta
of Julicher Estate on being awarded the Champion Wine of the Show at the 2009
Air N.Z. Wine Awards. This is a
magnificent effort from the team at this tiny boutique winery with 20 hectares
of vines on Te Muna Road,
and the first time in over 20 years since a Martinborough wine has taken this
award. Founded just ten years ago, the
Julicher label has seen considerable success over the years, the Julicher Estate
Pinot Noir 2006 winning Champion Wine of the Show at the 2007 N.Z.
International Wine Show, the second label ’99 Rows’ Pinot Noir 2006 gold at the
2007 Air N.Z. Wine Awards, and the limited production 2007 Julicher Pinot Noir
a gold equivalent in the 2008 Capital Times Wairarapa Tasting. Now the ’99 Rows’ Pinot Noir 2008, a 5 star
and Top Ten wine in Cuisine, has taken a gold alongside the Julicher Estate
Pinot Noir 2008 winning Champion Wine of the Show at the 2009 Air N.Z. Wine
Awards.
The new release Julicher Estate Pinot Noir 2008 is made mainly from the
Abel and 115 clones with some 667 and 777, the fruit totally destemmed, given a
4-5 day pre-fermentation maceration before fermentation in small, open top vats
to 13.5% alc., the peak temperatures being 30ºC. The wine spent a total of 20 days on skins,
and it was then aged in 20% new and 40% one y.o. French oak for 11 months. Soft ruby red in colour, the bouquet is
classic Martinborough with its ripe cherry and plum aromas complexed by
savoury, mushroom and forest-floor nuances.
The palate is medium-bodied with rich flavours that echo the nose, along
with spice and mocha oak subtleties. The
textural feature is the fresh acidity that brings everything to life. Supple
tannins complete the picture, and the wine will be delicious drinking over the
next 5 years or so.
The wine is selling very quickly and we urge you to obtain you stock now,
before it runs out. We can not source
any more from the winery.