An Event

A long-due catch-up with the Eventress and her new man made the evening an event in itself. We are now up to speed with the goss, and there are plans to interact in the near future. We didn't know it, but the new man was a wine man too, so the bottles brought out were appreciated.

Starting with the cellar-door-only NV 'Pelorus' Rose Methode Traditionnelle, this was a beautiful aromatic-floral and small red fruits wine with medium body but a fullness and completeness, and no heavy spots at all. Quite a delight and we played games with the wine in different Riedel glasses. Those 'La Grande Dame' glasses really bring out the bouquet. Then a more settled, clean, fresh, and elegant 2009 Starborough Pinot Gris from Marlborough. Slippery and fine, with minerals and pears with a touch of spice.

The meal meant red wines. A comparison, a 2001 Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir was dark, deep, full, with savoury cherry and plum flavours. Quite big and lively, not quite the detail and nuance, but lovely secondary truffle notes now. No real hurry. Paired with the unusual 2000 'Pinot Noir2001' N.Z. Reserve Pinot Noir, a blend of juice from the 64 participating wineries at Pinot Noir 2001, elevaged by Larry McKenna and 'friends'. Garnet, cooler, sappy notes, high acid and lean. Not particularly enjoyable, but the acidity will keep it going, but no-where great.

Back to reality. The 2007 Te Mata 'Bullnose' Syrah came straight out of the cooler downstairs cellar. It was tight, refined, superbly peppery with florals and spices. The proportion of this wine on palate is excellent. As the conversation moved to different parts of the world we had visited, we went to California with a 2007 Seghesio Sonoma Zinfandel at 15.5% nominal alc. Powerful black fruits, spices and pepper. Not sure about 'blueberry pie' as is oft-quoted for the variety. Firm structure and somewhat hot. A bit too much after a series of more elegant reds.

Then the finale, the new man's dessert wine. A real blast from the past - 1993 Rongopai Botrytised Chardonnay at nine-comma-five% alc. Dark mahogany, but brilliantly clear. Loads of toffee, caramel and brown barley sugar, and even more sweetness, but countered by massive acidity. The flavours were showing the downhill path, but the mouthfeel still had a long way to go. A treat to finish the bottle and to finish the evening.