The product of an Indian Summer, where the grapes were
harvested with “huge ripeness”, the Vinoptima
Gewurztraminer 2004 (19.5-/20) was still a youthful wine as could be seen
by the pale colour. A wine of power,
nuance and freshness, this carried a richness and depth of spiced ginger fruit
that merged to honey. Medium in
sweetness, this carried weight, soft textures and alcoholic body along with
marvelous acidity. At 14.5% alc and 20
g/l rs, this is a statement wine just beginning to harmonise and show its
potential. A decade of cellaring
possible. RC Dec 08
The 2004 vintage of Vinoptima
Gewurztraminer is the second release of this label and must figure among the
very best expressions of this grape variety ever seen in New
Zealand. The wine is opulent and exotic, full
of tropical fruits, spices and honey aromas and flavours that speak of sheer
richness and decadence. While some wines share this fruitiness, we have not
come across any other with the same fruit weight and power allied with depth,
concentration and intensity. While absolutely delicious now, this is a wine
that should cellar and improve, possibly another decade. No other New Zealand
Gewurztraminer in our experience has come so close in emulating great Alsace
versions.
The first release, the 2003 was an
outstanding effort with its concentration and depth, but it just missed out on
the totally luscious and pure fruit expression possessed by the 2004. However,
the 2003 is a wine that creator Nick
Nobilo can be proud of, and it has already received outstanding
critical acclaim. The 2004 is better!
Vinoptima is the realisation of a
vision and dream begun in the 1970s with Nobilo pioneering and establishing
superior clones of Gewurztraminer in Gisborne culminating in a trophy for his
Nobilo Gisborne Gewurztraminer in 1983. From this experience Nick Nobilo became infatuated with the variety.
Nick’s wish to make world-class Gewurztraminer was carried with him throughout
his illustrious 40 year winemaking career, but took its final shape with the
establishment in the year 2000 of his site-specific 4.8 hectares planted
vineyard (of a total 8 hectare area) in the Ormond district of Gisborne with
five selected clones. The state-of-the-art winery with a capacity of 145 tonnes
was finished in time for the 2003 vintage. It emphasises the most gentle
handling, sophisticated fermentation in ultra-small lots, total control and
ultra-cleanliness. The philosophy of the use of German oak ovals for part of
the fermentation demonstrates the blend of tradition with innovation, but a base
of inspiration from the great Alsace wines of
France.
Vinoptima will only produce 3,000 to
5,000 cases of wine annually. We predict it will become highly sought-after
globally. The 2004 is 14.5% alc., and carries 20 g/L rs. We recommend this
superb wine to you as one of the finest Gewurztraminers made in New
Zealand yet.RC June 06