This may be Te Mata's upper tier wine, but, for this vintage anyway, the barrel ferment, which includes 11% Sémillon and 3% Sauvignon Gris feels soapy and overworked. Aromas of ripe lemon, watermelon, bubblegum, banana, honey and fresh tarragon feel as much oak as fruit derived. The oak and lees work is even more evident on the palate, but it's cut through by lifted acidity and fresher, tangier fruit. This seems to be going through an awkward phase. Give it a few more years in the bottle and things may very well improve.
This may be Te Mata's upper tier wine, but, for this vintage anyway, the barrel ferment, which includes 11% Sémillon and 3% Sauvignon Gris feels soapy and overworked. Aromas of ripe lemon, watermelon, bubblegum, banana, honey and fresh tarragon feel as much oak as fruit derived. The oak and lees work is even more evident on the palate, but it's cut through by lifted acidity and fresher, tangier fruit. This seems to be going through an awkward phase. Give it a few more years in the bottle and things may very well improve.
This may be Te Mata's upper tier wine, but, for this vintage anyway, the barrel ferment, which includes 11% Sémillon and 3% Sauvignon Gris feels soapy and overworked. Aromas of ripe lemon, watermelon, bubblegum, banana, honey and fresh tarragon feel as much oak as fruit derived. The oak and lees work is even more evident on the palate, but it's cut through by lifted acidity and fresher, tangier fruit. This seems to be going through an awkward phase. Give it a few more years in the bottle and things may very well improve.
This may be Te Mata's upper tier wine, but, for this vintage anyway, the barrel ferment, which includes 11% Sémillon and 3% Sauvignon Gris feels soapy and overworked. Aromas of ripe lemon, watermelon, bubblegum, banana, honey and fresh tarragon feel as much oak as fruit derived. The oak and lees work is even more evident on the palate, but it's cut through by lifted acidity and fresher, tangier fruit. This seems to be going through an awkward phase. Give it a few more years in the bottle and things may very well improve.