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It’s hard to focus on this when there’s that. Despite my SQN gawking, this was a real surprise. I had previously tasted the 2011 vintage shortly after it made Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list in 2013, but my recollection of it was that of a simple, juicy, fruit forward style that was notable for its balance and refreshing style. This vintage is a completely different animal. The sultry savory smokiness does its best to disguise its pure red cherry fruit, but it’s a purity and a concentration that can’t be held down. Not only does this have length, the cumbrous confluence of flavors are somehow precision tailored to a seamless finish, the end of which is difficult to pinpoint.
It’s hard to focus on this when there’s that. Despite my SQN gawking, this was a real surprise. I had previously tasted the 2011 vintage shortly after it made Wine Spectator’s Top 100 list in 2013, but my recollection of it was that of a simple, juicy, fruit forward style that was notable for its balance and refreshing style. This vintage is a completely different animal. The sultry savory smokiness does its best to disguise its pure red cherry fruit, but it’s a purity and a concentration that can’t be held down. Not only does this have length, the cumbrous confluence of flavors are somehow precision tailored to a seamless finish, the end of which is difficult to pinpoint.
Marlborough, South Island, New Zealand
