The International Cool Climate Wine Show, conducted in
Mornington, just outside Melbourne,
has over the last decade, provided fascinating perspectives on wines grown in
‘marginal’ viticultural conditions. Only
wines grown north of 37.5º North and south of 37.5º South can be entered. The wines are assessed by some of the
sharpest palates in Australasia, the 2010
event being chaired by Mike de Garis. The results carry considerable importance
for the smaller and more innovative winemakers in Australia and how our own
wines from New Zealand fare enables us to gauge our progress, in the context of
the rest of the world.
At the ICCWS awards presentation on 21 May, the Trophy
for the Champion 2007 Pinot Noir was awarded to Terrace Heights Estate
Marlborough Pinot Noir 2007. This is a
significant endorsement, not only for T.H.E., but also the success of Pinot
Noir in Marlborough,
especially from the high quality 2007 vintage.
The wine ties all these aspects together superbly. T.H.E.’s owner Steve Hammond has the highly
experienced Sam Smail as winemaker
and they continue the success from T.H.E’s inaugural 2002 vintage. Pinot Noir has consistently been in the winners’
circle since 2003. This 2007 release has
already taken two other gold medals and a 5 star rating in Cuisine. Dark, deep, purple-ruby in colour, this is a
bold wine with a pronounced bouquet of ripe raspberries and dark cherries, and
is showing its freshness with oak backing still noticeable. On palate, the wine is medium weight with a
deep core of dark fruits, savoury herb and mushroom notes and spicy oak hints. The palate feel is surprisingly elegant and
supple and is now just coming together.
There is sufficient structure and freshness from the acidity to enable
another 5-7 years cellaring. Made from Dijon clones 115 and 667
from T.H.E.’s vineyard west of Renwick, this was given a 5 day cold soak and
fermented to 13.5% alc, and aged 11 months in French barriques. Stocks are now running low and the wine,
normally priced around $30.00 can be regarded as exceptional value at $23.95.