WineNZ Summer 18-19 (1)
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new releases<br />
Five-star<br />
by the sea<br />
Words by Paul Taggart<br />
This section is<br />
always a bit<br />
of fun as the<br />
genuine Kiwi<br />
new releases<br />
are usually<br />
supplemented with a few odd<br />
balls that have found their way<br />
into the <strong>WineNZ</strong> office. On this<br />
occasion the odd balls were<br />
from Thailand and Queensland.<br />
One of my favourite wineries<br />
in the land is Clearview Estate<br />
in Te Awanga. It pre-dates<br />
the “Napa comes to Hawke’s<br />
Bay” wineries and has a great<br />
restaurant which is the perfect<br />
place for a summer lunch with<br />
a bottle of chardonnay or rosé.<br />
It also has a great range of reds.<br />
Clearview’s current<br />
winemaker (Matt Kirby) and a<br />
former Clearview winemaker<br />
(Barry Riwai) were on our<br />
tasting panel on this occasion<br />
– but were unaware of whose<br />
wine they were tasting.<br />
The coastal climate at<br />
Clearview produces interesting<br />
wines, but it is more a result of<br />
good luck than good planning,<br />
as co-owner Tim Turvey picked<br />
the site back in the eighties as he<br />
was a keen surfer and wanted to<br />
be by the sea, rather than because<br />
of any deep and meaningful<br />
terroir considerations. But luck<br />
was on his side and the winery<br />
has prospered over the decades<br />
since, during which other winery<br />
businesses have arrived and<br />
disappeared.<br />
Clearview’s reputation means<br />
it can now sell its top chardonnay<br />
at $150 a bottle, but there are<br />
many wines at more affordable<br />
prices.<br />
For the new releases we had<br />
two entries and the first – their<br />
20<strong>18</strong> gewürztraminer – smacked<br />
the ball right out of the park,<br />
recording a five star rating.<br />
Even if Matt the winemaker’s<br />
score was discounted, and even if<br />
Barry the ex-winemaker’s score<br />
was also discounted, this wine<br />
was a five-star success.<br />
Clearview<br />
Estate Coastal<br />
Gewürztraminer<br />
20<strong>18</strong><br />
Simon Nash: Quite full<br />
lemon/lime, bright.<br />
Vanillin, honey or clover,<br />
soft ambrosia. Broad,<br />
plump fruit.<br />
Matt Kirby: Nice<br />
weight, well structured.<br />
Gewürztraminer. Lychee,<br />
Turkish delight and ginger.<br />
Barry Riwai: Turkish<br />
delight, broad richness to<br />
palate, glaceé ginger, spice<br />
and opulence.<br />
$22<br />
12<br />
<strong>WineNZ</strong> Magazine | <strong>Summer</strong> 20<strong>18</strong>-<strong>19</strong>