Tinpot Hut, `McKee Vineyard` Grüner Veltliner
Country: New Zealand Region: Marlborough
Varietal: White regional (non-Italian) Vintage: 2017
Category: White Wine Colour: White
Producer: Tinpot Hut
"The Tinpot Hut story began in 2003 when winemaker Fiona Turner and her husband Hamish established their own 50 acre vineyard in Marlborough's emerging sub-region of Blind River. Naming her range of wines after a historic Marlborough mustering hut, the 'Tinpot Hut' links the area's sheep farming past with its current state as one of the world's most dynamic wine regions. Fruit is sourced from Fiona's 'Home Block' and is supplemented by grapes from selected vineyards. Fiona is supported by Matt Thomson, a friend and colleague with whom she has worked with for many years.
Producing her flagship Sauvignon Blanc, the 2017 vintage is a blend of fruit from Blind River contributing mineral and crushed herb characters and the Lower Wairau which imparts lovely tropical flavours.
In 2012 Tinpot Hut produced its first single vineyard wines: the 'Turner Vineyard' Riesling made solely from Fiona's home block vineyard - a light bodied wine displaying flavours of lime and grapefruit with a distinct mineral finish so reflective of the Blind River sub region; and the 'McKee Vineyard' Gruner Veltliner also a pure Blind River wine with flavours of white peach and subtle peppery spice.
The Pinot Noir has intense aromas of black cherry, supported by hints of plum and redcurrant. Structurally the tannins are soft and silky. Well balanced acidity ensures good length and weight.
The fruit for the Syrah is sourced from some of the oldest Syrah vines in New Zealand, planted on an ancient river terrace in the Dartmoor sub-region of Hawkes Bay, as well as from the unique gravel soil of the Gimlet Gravels area, which gives power and structure to the wine. Made in the style of northern Rhône, it is a complex wine showing plum, pepper and cinnamon characteristics."
Product Features: Sustainable; Vegetarian
Winemaker: Fiona Turner
Vineyards:
Winemakers Matt Thomson and Fiona Turner were looking for a cool climate variety with striking aromatic qualities supported by firm acid structure to add to the Tinpot Hut range. They soon became convinced of the potential for Grüner Veltliner in Marlborough and convinced two local growers to plant a few rows. The grapes for this single vineyard wine were grown by the McKee family in the Blind River sub-region of the Awatere Valley.
Vinification:
Fiona is aiming for an aromatic, fruit forward style with particular emphasis on managing the potentially hard phenolics. The grapes were hand-picked and immediately transported to the winery where they were treated gently with minimal skin contact. Precise press-cuts ensured that only the free run, less phenolic juice was used in the finished wine. After settling, the juice was fermented in stainless steel at cool temperatures to retain fruit character and freshness.
Tasting Notes:
Pale straw in colour. Delicate aromas of orange blossom, citrus and stone fruit blend with hints of sweet floral honeysuckle. The Gruner Veltliner is a very textural wine. Flavours of white peach mingle well with subtle peppery spice notes. Mineral complexity, which is so reflective of the Blind River sub region, gives this wine a clean and crisp appeal. The balance of the fruit, acidity and phenolics work very well together and lead to a long dry finish.
Food Suggestion:
Enjoy with oily seafood such as salmon and tuna or, alternatively, roasted pork and duck.
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Closure: Stelvin ABV: 12.5% Acidity [g/l]: 6.4
