Alexandra Basin Winegrowers New Releases Wine Tasting 2022
Sadly, the 2021 edition became a victim of Covid, but this popular sell-out event is back for 2022, once again being held on Labour Weekend Sunday, October 23.
There’s a change of venue this year, so please note this will be at Clyde’s Historic Railway Station Reserve (13 Fraser St, Clyde).
Your $30 ticket provides entry to the event, a tasting glass and booklet which references the vineyards and wines available to taste — plus special buying privileges on the day at a discounted rate, along with complimentary cheese, crackers, condiments and live music. ABW has also linked with Eat.Taste.Central, so there will be a range of gourmet pies available to buy.
For further info email info@alexandrabasinwines.co.nz or go to Eventbrite for tickets. NB: If Covid issues should lead to cancellation, a full refund will be given.
2022 Blind Chicken wine competition
A recent Sunday saw a group of eager wine tasters sit down to the 2022 Blind Chicken wine-tasting competition. Last year’s winner, Alastair McLaren, running the show, assured us this would be the easiest competition ever; however, a couple of wines that proved fiendishly difficult to many proved otherwise.
After jockeying for position on the whites, Brendon Woodford and Roger Swift swept into the lead, racing neck and neck to the finish, holding off the chasing pack. With a wine to go and a two-point lead, we were going to have a new first-time winner. Roger had a slight stumble while Brendon held his nerve, so with an excellent tally of 36/45 Brendon Woodford becomes the 2022 Blind Chicken trophy holder. Bragging rights and the honour of hosting next year’s competition.
Roger Swift second on 35, David Tasker completing the podium one point back on 34. Yours truly imploded on one wine, but made a late charge to end up fourth on 33 points, not quite enough to challenge the leaders.
2020 Astrolabe Marlborough Chardonnay
Price RRP $32
Rating Excellent
Engaging nose with peach, melon, apple, finely scented oak, tinges of warm baguette. Ripely fruited palate across the tropical spectrum, a yeasty umami quality, picking up a touch of apricot, luscious richness, textural, rich and mouth-filling. A core of acidity brings this neatly to attention, allowing freshness to carry the long finish.
2021 Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay
Price RRP $39.99
Rating Excellent
Subtlety, delicacy, oak spices, white peach, tropical tones, more stonefruit over time. Powerful in the mouth, lively, almost crunchy with delightful zestiness. Flirts with a sweet ’n’ sour character that adds to the brightness. Again peach and stonefruit, red apple skin, lemon zest, the fruit intensity grows, picking up an attractive bittersweet quality on the long close.
2020 Rapaura Springs Bouldevines Vineyard Marlborough Chardonnay
Price RRP $36.90
Rating Excellent to Outstanding
Struck match notes lead, caramel flecks, yeasty umami notes, orange zest, tropical fruits, bonfire smoke. Another powerful expression, the fruit weight matched by a juicy crispness running through this. For all its power there’s delightful integration and a lovely completeness. Complex and exciting, already approachable but potential too.
