Churton New Release Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir

"Central otago did I hear you say?" 

Well them you'd better get off at the next station, as this train is Marlborough bound, but not the marlborough you've been reading and drinking, no this is destination atypical Marlborough.
21st June is Winter solstice and a root day in biodynamic calendar, to which Churton adhere to, but is hard to distinguish whether or not these practices work, but that's for another time.

 

The event was hosted by winemaker and winery owner, Sam Weaver, at Mollies in Auckland.

The vineyard is close planted with approx. 5000 vines/Ha.
The first vines were planted 11years ago, and they have finally finished planting this year.

100% biodynamic for last 2 and a half years, although Sam is not keen on prep 501 (This is finely ground quartz crystals specially prepared. The crystal should be of good quality and shape and clear. It is buried in a similar manner to Preparation BD500, but this time it is buried in the cow's horn during the hot time)

 

The wines were as followed!

 

Churton 2009 Sauvignon blanc, 5,500 cases

30% bought in fruit. Majority of fruit from own vineyard, 17 % clay soil

Bone dry, 30% handpicked fruit, passion fruit mixed with hay, guava with lime infused nose.

Creamy smooth acid that's not over powering with racy lemon zest and tight mineral aspect not present in many Sauvignon from the new world.

89 Points

 

Churton 2008 Pinot noir

100% estate grown fruit

2008 provided good flowering, Churton's yields are small giving approx. 6 tons/hectare or 45 hectoliter/hectare

The wine has bright velvet cherry with some very attractive barnyard, chalky blackberry with kaffir lime leaf characters on the nose.

Chalky cherry/red fruit, with very sour cherry with bramble green character with a bit of heat at the end, very youthful. Not for the central otago drinker 

90 Points

 

Churton 2003 waihope slopes Pinot noir 

Bread and yeast new car smell with cherry and red summer fruit.

Earth but full fruited still youthful despite age, goes to show that Marlborough Pinot can go the length.

87 Points

 

Churton 2008 abyss Pinot noir

Only 140 cases were made of this wine.

First block planted with the best aspect, warmest part of the vineyard, north west planted rows about 2 Ha in size.

Very sweet plum, hint of honey, and good varietal characters on the nose.

soy and bitter sweet cherry on the palate, blackberry and plum fruit with good depth of character with rich currants. Very smooth tannin structure with fine acid. 

90 Points

 

Churton 2003 Sauvignon blanc

2003 was the catalyst year for most wineries when they decided to change from cork to screwcap, as the corks were very bad in that year.

Very green pea and asparagus with salty prosciutto nose.

Melon on the palate with restrained acid. This wine is not for those wanting fresh sweet tropical fruit Sauvignon Blanc but does indicate that New Zealand is making Sauvignon Blanc that can age gracefully.

86 Points

Posted via web from The Wine Vault