Brancott Estate - A Taste with Jim Robertson

Wednesday night Steve and I met with an elite group of NYC bloggers to taste through the delicious offerings of Brancott Estate and hear about the brands ins and outs first-hand from Global Brand Ambassador, Jim Robertson.

The weather was one that New York City does not often have - perfect. Not too hot, not too cold and the warm breeze circling the space was just what we needed. The event was held on the XVI Rooftop bar on 48th street and 8th overlooking midtown Manhattan and a fantastic sunset that is what summertime in the city is all about.

Jim brought us through the line-up of Brancott Estate's classic range: Pinot Grigio, Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Although we did not have the opportunity to taste, there is also a Pinot Noir and a Sauvignon Blanc available in limited quantities from the letter series which is a higher end product produced by the estate. All of Brancott's wines are appellation Marlborough, NZ.

We began with the 2010 Pinot Grigio - a wine that many exclaimed, "restored their faith in Pinot Grigio." This wine is in the style that to that of one will likely consider closer that of a Pinot Gris - big fruit, lots of a flavor a delightful bit of acid that would allow the wine to stand up to food.

Next we tasted the Pinot Noir. Why the Pinot Noir and not the Sauvignon Blanc? Well, for one, it was a special request by one of the attendees and, second of all, this order as decided to demonstrate the intense flavors and high acid of the Sauvignon Blanc that could actually follow a red wine and still come through showing beautifully.

The Pinot Noir was fruity and fresh, decent amount of a spice and far surpassed expectations for a wine at this price point. This was a wine easily sippable in the sun as it would be on a chilly fall day - with or without food. Here's a fun fact about Pinot Noir from New Zealand that Jim taught us: 52% of all Pinot Noir grown in NZ is grown in Marlborough with only a small proportion coming from Central Otago despite its popularity in recent years.

Finally we rounded up the bunch with a taste of the Sauvignon Blanc. This is easily the most widely recognized wine from Brancott Estate and most widely available - we instantly saw why. This wine is a delightfully easy-drinking white, with distinctly intense flavors of gooseberries and citrus that can really only come from NZ. Despite the fact it came after the Pinot Noir, as I mentioned, the wine was full and vibrant and instantly took over.

It was a fantastic mid-summer event in an excellent location with great company and delicious wines. Special thanks to all to attended!

Cheers!

-CC

WBC 10 Live Wine Blogging - White Wines with Steve and Constance

So here we are - Steve and I are both attending our first Wine Blogger's Conference in Walla Walla Washington and we have just sat down for the Live Wine Blogging White Wines session which had been described to us as "speed dating with wines."

Should be interesting.... here we go!

Winery #1: Cadaretta SBS Savignon Blanc Semillion 2008 - winery out of Walla Walla
On the nose hints of lemon and lime, acidic and spicy on the palate with stone fruit and citrus.
Incredible finish, over a minute later our mouths are still salivating!

Winery #2: Le Chateau Chardonnay 2008 of Walla Wall gets its name from the lateral placement it shares with France.
Typical tropical fruit characteristics on the nose, creamy with good fruit balance on the palate so not overly buttery like some Chardonnays.

Winery #3 Sebastini and Sons The Crusher 2008 Pinot Noir and Viognier Rose
Quite delicious. Floral notes on the nose and palate bone dry with plum and raspberry notes- jammy but without the sweet. Quite interesting made for red and white drinkers - great balance for both!

Winery #4: Cornerstone Cellars Napa Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2009.
Oak age coming through on this one - described as "not that cat pee kind of sauvignong blanc" Sur Lie fermentation adds a roundness to the wine that isn't always found in this varietal.

Winery #5: Concannon Chardonnay 2009 - oldest winery in the US WOW! 4th generation winemaker.
Nice rounded Chardonnay that makes you stop and go "mmmm" the malolactic fermentation adds a creamy consistency to the wine but still has enough acidity to cut through with ripe peach, pear and tropical fruits. **Favorite so far**

Winery #6: Neethlingshof Unwooded Chardonnay 2009
No oak in this one so the dry, crisp citrus fruit is a lot brighter with a hint of smoke in the finish.

Winery #7: Molly Ducker "The Violinist" 100% Verdelho -- bottle has interesting labels based upon things that pertain to vineyard owners - added bonus! specialty removable from label to remember the wine next time!
Only white wine in the vineyard. Beautiful wine. Reminiscent of tropical and stone fruits on the nose and palate. Beautiful finish.

Winery #8: House Wine of the Magnificent Wine Company Chardonnay, Riesling Gewurztraminer, Muscat Canelli and Pinot Gris
Floral notes on the nose on the palate, not sweet as expected but good acid and floral notes and green apple coming through "classic Columbia Valley Chardonnay."

Winery #9: Dry Creek Vineyard Chenin Blanc 2009
A grape we're not so familiar with coming from California. Pineapple and tropical notes on the nose with floral notes. Floral and pineapple on the palate as well. Under screw cap - winery rep says she was against it, but admits it's a good idea --- Well YES keeps the white wine fresher, longer!! Great wine with oysters -- ever notice everything goes with oysters?

Winery #10: L'Ecole 2008 Semillion.
Nice citrus nose, but oak is coming through to the point of over powering and dominates the palate. A bit like sipping on a tree.... creamier than one would expect for Semillion/Sauv Blanc blend.

Winery #11: Sustainable White: Parducci Mendocino County 2008- 100% sustainable winery
Bright citrus fruit on the nose and palate. Nothing remarkable, but easy sipping. Lots of acid.

Winery #12: Pithy Little Wine Co. Sangiovese Rose
All strawberry on the nose. Dry and bit reminiscent of strawberry bubbleyum on the palate - but dry- Steve enjoys it though and generally hates rose so we'll give it a second taste another time.

AND WE'RE DONE!