Recently I was lucky enough to be invited to an
exclusive gathering at the Auckland home of Kim and Erica Crawford, for the launch
of their new Loveblock label. Kim’s
previous label, Kim Crawford has been absorbed by USA’s massive Constellation
Brands wine company (which also owns Nobilo NZ).
The new venture is a labour of love for Kim and Erica,
with Kim returning to his winemaking roots and also taking up organic
viticulture for the first time. Says
Kim,” My aim is to deliver to you, in the bottle, what the grapevine produces.
It’s not up to me to be so presumptuous as to what the soil says is
right.” To that end, Loveblock wines
incorporate organic and stringent biodynamic winegrowing practices.
Kim Crawford |
Loveblock Farm comprises 73 northerly hectares overlooking
Marlborough’s Awatere Valley. Also a
further eight hectares have been purchased in Central Otago’s Bendigo region –
named the Someone’s Darling vineyard.
The Marlborough vineyard produces Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot
Gris, Pinot Noir, Riesling and Chenin Blanc, plus a few unusual varieties such
as Tempranillo, Gewürztraminer, Muscato and Saint Laurent. The Someone’s Darling vineyard is dedicated
solely to Pinot Noir.
Distribution is almost exclusively in the USA though
Terlato Wines International. Wine doyen,
Anthony Terlato was in New Zealand for the launch and I had the privilege of
interviewing him the day before.
Tony Terlato |
Tony
Terlato is called ‘the Father of Pinot Grigio’ for introducing Italian Pinot
Gris to the American market in 1979. He
is very impressed with the Loveblock range and will be importing Pinot Gris, Sauvignon
Blanc and Pinot Noir.
Loveblock Pinot Gris 2011 $23.95
Flora aromas with a delightful soft palate of poached pear, quince and a hint of Turkish delight.
Flora aromas with a delightful soft palate of poached pear, quince and a hint of Turkish delight.
Loveblock
Gewürztraminer 2011 $23.95
A medium sweet style with flavours of melon and spicy ginger cake, but with a clean slightly crisp finish.
A medium sweet style with flavours of melon and spicy ginger cake, but with a clean slightly crisp finish.
Loveblock
Bone Dry Riesling 2011 $23.95
A tiny 1.4 gram per litre of residual sugar (compare that to a can of Coke at 150 g/L). Yet, surprisingly soft on the palate, with flavours and aromas of apple sauce, lime and honey. Clean, dry finish.
A tiny 1.4 gram per litre of residual sugar (compare that to a can of Coke at 150 g/L). Yet, surprisingly soft on the palate, with flavours and aromas of apple sauce, lime and honey. Clean, dry finish.
Loveblock
Sauvignon Blanc 2012 $23.95
Crisp and racy typical Marlborough style, with flavours of stone fruit, fig and tomato leaf.
Crisp and racy typical Marlborough style, with flavours of stone fruit, fig and tomato leaf.
Loveblock
Pinot Noir 2011 $33.95
My personal favourite out (of a great line-up). Smoky spice aromas, with a glorious ripe, full palate of summer red fruits, with black cherry and mushroomy savoury hints.
My personal favourite out (of a great line-up). Smoky spice aromas, with a glorious ripe, full palate of summer red fruits, with black cherry and mushroomy savoury hints.
Phil
Parker is a wine writer and operates Fine Wine Tours in Auckland.
Join Phil on Facebook- search: Auckland Fine Wine and Food Tours
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