Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (4) Collaboration Wines

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Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (4) Collaboration Wines

Julianne Brogden is only 40, but she’s already been making wines for 23 years now. She’s Hawke’s Bay born and bred, and worked briefly in the region, before heading out on vinous travel.

Julianne Brogden, Collaboration Wines

She ended up spending 8 years in the Napa Valley, California, where she initially worked a vintage at Havens Wine Cellars, and went back the following year for more. Then she got a full time job at Clos Pegase in Calistoga, followed by a spell at Lewis Cellars. But her travels weren’t finished, and she went to Margaret River for vintage, and then another spell in Napa.

At age 30 Julz returned to Hawke’s Bay, and decided she wanted to do her own thing. So, while working a day job at Pask, she began to build her own label up. In 2010 she did a ton of Cabernet, and since then she has grown the portfolio of Collaboration Wines to the point that with the 2018 vintage, she has gone full time. She works in a cellar in Bay View that’s shared with Kate Radburnd.

The model is to collaborate with growers, and she currently works with three. The labels are based on original art works that are produced by an artist (Angela Tirrell) that Julianne got to know when she rented a room from her in Napa.

She does no fining in the whites and only a light filtration. She also does hyperoxidation of pressings, and uses no sulfur in the whites until after malolactic. The reds are all hand picked and cold soaked, and are then exposed to lots of oxygen during fermentation, and are unfined and unfiltered.

Collaboration Wines Impression White 2018 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand (barrel sample)
This is 100% Mendoza clone Chardonnay made in a textural style in older French oak. Refined and textural with a subtle, nicely grainy structure. Very stylish and refined with a lovely savouriness to it. 92/100

Collaboration Wines Aurulent Chardonnay 2017 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
First vintage of this wine was 2011. Whole-bunch pressed, picked with high acidity, then full malolactic. Clone 15 and Mendoza, 25% new oak. Classy stuff with supple, bright citrus fruit, some pineapple and a bit of mealiness. Very stylish with fresh lemon and herb notes. Nutty and refined, and a great effort considering the challenges of the vintage. 93/100

Collaboration Wines Aurulent Chardonnay 2016 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Lemony and taut with nice hints of cabbage alongside the toast and spice. Linear citrus fruit with lovely focus and purity. Light and detailed with real poise and refinement. 94/100

Collaboration Wines Aurulent Chardonnay 2011 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Lovely aromatics of toast, nut and spice, with hints of pineapple and mandarin. Very fine citrus and pear fruit on the palate which is pretty, focused and expressive with a bit of development. Supple fruit and still very fresh, having developed some delicacy and some toastiness on the finish. 94/100

Collaboration Wines Impression Rosé 2018 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Cabernet Franc. Very primary and vivid on the nose with some pear drop esters. The palate is dry and quite delicate with citrus and a hint of cranberry. Supple, drinkable and delicious. 88/100

Collaboration Wines Impression Red 2016 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
A blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon. 15% new oak. Fresh, suppleand refined with hints of chalk and gravel. Bright cherry and raspberry fruit: very fruity and expressive with classy texture and structure. A stylish, textural red. 93/100

Collaboration Wines Ceresia Merlot Cabernet Franc 2014 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
This spends 2 years in French oak, 80% new. Sophisticated with lovely texture and poise. A super-elegant style with lovely cherry and blackberry fruit. It has a really assured quality to it with nice weight and sophistication. Layered and elegant. 95/100

Collaboration Wines Argent Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Julianne Brogden loves Cabernet Sauvignon, and has worked in California and Margaret River, two regions that specialize in it. This comes from the Gimblett Gravels. Aromatic nose of blackcurrant and black cherry fruit, leading to a supple, finely spiced palate with good structure. A structured, refined wine with a fine spiciness. Quite savoury and stony. 94/100

Collaboration Wines Argent Cabernet Sauvignon 2011 Hawke’s Bay, New Zealand
Sweetly aromatic with herbs, raspberry and red cherries. Open and sweetly fruited with a light body, showing spicy, herby complexity. Still tannic and showing notes of black tea and cedar. 93/100

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