Waitaki
Braids
New wines from a new region in New Zealand
Website:
www.waitakibraids.co.nz
Waitaki
Braids is one of the pioneers of a new region: Waitaki Valley in
North Otago. It's an interesting place for growing wine grapes, with
limestone soils (rare in New Zealand), as well as some river
gravels, and a very cool climate. The vineyard is currently 8.2
hectares, and Pinot Noir, Pinot Gris, Riesling and Chardonnay are
planted.
Waitaki
Braids has four owners: investment banker Steve Cozens, winemaker
Michelle Richardson and restaurateurs Michael McGrath and Peter
Gordon.
‘Waitaki
and Central Otago are very different,’ says Michelle Richardson.
‘Waitaki is one of the most unique flavour places. As the vines
get older, the wines will get more and more in balance.’ She adds
that it is right on the edge climatically. ‘Some years, Autumn
starts too early, but the flavours are exceptional.’
THE
WINES
Waitaki
Braids Pinot Gris 2008 Waitaki
Rich, grapey, intense nose with some alcohol evident. The palate
is dense and quite concentrated with sweet, grapey, herbal fruit.
Quite rich textured with some spicy notes. 4-5 g/l residual sugar.
89/100
Waitaki
Braids Rosé 2009
Dark coloured. Sweet and herby with rich cherry and raspberry
fruit, with subtle green notes as well as the sweet bold fruit. Soft
textured, with a hint of spiciness. A rich style. 88/100
Waitaki
Braids Pinot Noir 2008
Rich, warm, spicy and quite dense with lovely dark cherry fruit
and some firm, spicy tannins. Fresh and dense with nice tannins. A
structured wine of real appeal. 94/100
See
also:
An
interview and tasting with Michelle Richardson
Wines
tasted 09/10
Find these wines with wine-searcher.com
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