Waiheke organic vineyard Awaroa has received top ratings for all six of its wines in prestigious Australian wine magazine Winestate.
All the wines were either awarded five, four and a half or four gold stars from a possible five.
Made by winemaker Steve Poletti, with help in 2014 from assistant winemaker Danu Sautot-Fyr, the wines are grown and produced on land owned collectively in the Awaawaroa Valley, at the island’s southeastern end.
Given a five-star review, the Awaroa Melba Peach Waiheke Island Syrah 2014 is described as “dark and dense… this powerful red is still very youthful. Matured for a year in French oak barriques (50% new), it has highly concentrated, ripe plum and black pepper flavours, woven with fresh acidity, and a tightly structured, long, spicy finish”.
It recommends a best drinking time as 2020 onwards, with the wine retailing for $65.
The other wine to get full marks is the
Awaroa Requiem Waiheke Island Cabernet/Merlot/Malbec 2014.
“Fragrant, dark and youthful, this classy blend of cabernet sauvignon (70%), merlot (20%) and malbec (10%) was matured in French oak barriques (50% new). Instantly appealing, it is sweet-fruited, with deep, ripe flavours of blackcurrants, plums, spices and dried herbs, fine-grained tannins, and a lasting finish. Drink now or cellar.” This wine also sells for $65.
The other Awaroa wines featured in the May/June issue of Winestate are the Awaroa The Dan Syrah/Cabernet/Malbec 2014, the Awaroa Waiheke Island Syrah 2014, the Waiheke Road Waiheke Island Reserve Chardonnay 2014 and the Waiheke Road Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2014.
Assistant winemaker Danu Sautot-Fyr says the whole team at Awaroa is very excited by this recognition of their organically-managed wines. • Julianne Evans
