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Greetings, we hope this finds you all coping well with the COVID situation and changing levels and news.
At this time, we intend to have our October 13th Cellar Club Monthly tasting – with Butterworth Estate from Martinborough (formerly Julicher) presenting to us.
However, we will have to confirm details after the PM’s announcement due to be on October 4th for any changing alert levels country-wide which may affect this.
Please bear with us and keep your wine glasses crossed!
For your information and to remind you of some of the detail for our next tasting:
Butterworth Estate, Martinborough
Renowned sailors, the Butterworth Family (Brad & Warren), is the new custodian of Julicher vineyard, planted in the iconic soils of Te Muna. The J-Knot on every bottle, the strongest knot you can tie, is a tribute to their vineyard’s founder, Wim Julicher.
Wim Julicher originally planted the Te Muna vineyard as an Olive Grove, but the site’s unique aspect made it far too cold for the olive trees. Luckily, it creates the perfect amount of pressure for the divine struggle required to produce world-class Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The Butterworth Family has a viticultural heritage dating back to the founding days of the New Zealand wine industry – the original 1890’s vineyard property is still in the family today.
The wines for our evening are to be confirmed closer to the date.
We were to be entertained in September by Gordon Russell from Esk Valley. Gordon is described as one of the Godfathers of the wine industry.
Unfortunately, due to the current situation with the Delta variant of COVID19 this month’s Club evening has had to be cancelled. We can’t meet until we are down to Level 2.
While this is disappointing for us all, for your information and interest, the wines we were going to be tasting were largely from Esk Valley’s new range: Artisanal. Wine f.y.i.:
While up in the Hawkes Bay for FAWC during Queens Birthday weekend, as well as attending the Fun Do evening [read Fondue!], we visited the Abbey Winery and Brewery – an excellent choice too!
Abbey Winery and Brewery lies in the Bridge Pa Triangle of Hawkes Bay on the old Ngaruroro riverbed. From these red meal alluvial soils, Abbey Cellars produces world-class wines from a wide range of varietals. As a single estate winery, they use only what they grow themselves to create their wines.
Reserve a group table at the Abbey kitchen for tasting & dining
When you go there, you can enjoy a flight of four wines [75ml each] for $15. Our choice was:
2018 Reisling – diesel on the nose; lime on the palate; dry on the back of the mouth; better at room temperature than chilled as it opens up on your taste buds.
2020 Rose’ – Malbec and Franc mixture – jubes on the nose; smooth red berries on the tongue; dry after taste but not unpleasant; pleasant pink colour
2019 Envy Carmenere [originally planted in the Medoc region of Bordeaux, a member of the Cabernet family of grapes] – named for its crimson colour [really dark red], 12 months in French Oak; dry on the nose, slightly smokey too; dry to taste with leather coming through; black pepper at the back of the throat – food makes this wine really smooth to drink
2019 Temptation Malbec – 12 months in French oak, smooth, dry on the nose and at the back of the throat, cloves on the tongue; dark red colour – add food, and you get black pepper at the back of the throat, and the nose intensifies
This place was well worth the stop, both for the wine tasting, wine purchase and the food.
I would recommend putting it on people’s itinerary when up in the Bay.
This last year has been extremely challenging, yet the club was able to hold several events to celebrate its 40th anniversary. All were very successful, and the committee was very happy with the levels of member support at those events and tastings in general.
I’m sure our President, Murray Jaspers, will refer to these in his report at next week’s AGM.
The last item of that AGM is General Business and that is often the time that your committee will look for feedback from attendees.
Please use your time this week to reflect on our club and when that last item arises, please be prepared to give your views:
On what has been good
On things that you feel could be improved or done differently
Even give feedback on new directions or ideas that you would like the incoming committee to consider.
Remember our club succeeds because of all of our involvement in it.
It’s excellent now we’re in COVID19 Level One! Well done everyone!
“One of the most prestigious tastings in the 40 years of the club’s existence”. That’s what the Independent Herald wrote in their 17th September issue when reviewing last month’s tasting. And what a night it was. For those of you fortunate enough to attend our second (and last?) meeting under COVID Level 2, I am sure you will agree it was impressive.
Presented by Life Member and former President, Alan Evans, this carefully curated (by Alan and Wayne) selection was sourced from Alan’s temperature-controlled cellar and the Club’s cellar. This is what they came up with:
2016 Ogier Cotes du Rhone Blanc
2016 Askerne Semillon
2017 Dom. Vincent Careme Vouvray Le Clos
2011 Penfolds 389
2001 Penfolds 389
1991 Coleraine
2017 Troplong Mondot St Emilion Grand Cru
It is difficult to pick favourites as all the wines were superb. However, there was some consensus at our table, so I will highlight a couple. Of the whites, the Ogier Cotes du Rhone Blanc was our pick. This bargain-priced (under $20) blend contains five grapes: Grenache Blanc, Clairette, Bouroulene, Roussane and Viognier. Produced without any oak at all, it showcases the region’s fruit above all else. Alan has become an expert in that region since, as he explained, at the Magnum Society the popular areas of France, i.e. Bordeaux and Burgundy, had already been taken. No one wanted Cotes du Rhone, so he took it!
Of the reds, it was the two Penfolds 389’s, their classic and much sought after Cabernet Shiraz wine, that was favoured at our table. Opinion differed as to which was the best but to me, it was 2001. Deep colour and very concentrated, it showed the benefits of keeping this wine for almost two decades. Alan explained that Bin 389 is often referred to as ‘Poor Man’s Grange’ or ‘Baby Grange’ because the wine is said to be matured in the same barrels that held the previous vintage of Grange. Interestingly 2001 was under cork while 2011 had a screw cap. Alan gave us the latest thinking on screw caps where there have been some disappointing results for cellared wines: the sulfur dioxide levels can be too high and produce rotten egg aromas. Some producers are returning to cork now that they can get guaranteed taint-free products like the Diam. The majority of Penfolds’ top-end red wines are now 100 per cent cork-sealed. They are also looking into the use of glass closures. Alan’s tip on removing that sulphur rotten egg smell: dip a copper penny into the wine and it will convert it to odourless copper sulphide!
This meeting was a highlight of our 40th Anniversary year and was a good opportunity to taste older cellared wines. A huge thanks go to Alan who indicated he is happy to do a similar tasting at some stage in the future.
LAST MONTH we had a great turnout of members with an evening sampling both Portuguese and New Zealand wines with Victor Kattenbelt and Confidant Wines.
Victor Kattenbelt is a local wine distributor and as the importer, these wines were uniquely from his portfolio. Casa Santos Lima is the largest in Portugal and one of the largest in Europe. As explained, there are many grape varieties in Portugal that are unique to the Iberia peninsula and as such, many wine styles are almost exclusive to Portugal. We tasted winemaking that uses the best of traditional techniques (and local oak) but is modernising rapidly. He presented 8 wines that the orders on the night suggest were well received.
Casa Santos Bruto Methode
The wines were:
The introductory wine – 2017 Casa Santos Bruto Methode that stood out as so different from the usual French Methode and even traditional Spanish [cava] bubbles we are more familiar with.
2018 Galadoro Rose was dry, crisp, not overly fruit-driven, light in colour so typical of Provence & other southern Mediterranean Rose’, Cabernet blend, quaffable and food enhanced for sure.
2016 VK Gewürztraminer was an exclusive NZ wine that hit the mark for many being unmistakably a prime ‘Gewurzt’ with all the characteristics and some real wine palate weight.
2018 Beach House Chardonnay from a well known Hawkes Bay producer.
2017 Bons Ventos lived up to its luscious red descriptor, this introductory red set the tone for the exquisite reds that followed. Wine orders indicate this was a favourite.
2017 Confidential Tinto Red amazed as it is a 10-variety blend that only the Portuguese could do, significantly local varieties, soft, good palate feel, enhances food and not a tannin in sight!
2017 Valcatrina was a big blended red wine, highlighting Syrah and Touriga Nacionale (the port grape) so typically Portuguese, with plenty of awards accolades yet affordable quality wine.
Monte da Caçada
2016 Monte Da Cacada was a real treat, more expensive for sure ($36 – $40) but this wine indulged the palate, was red at its finest, 100% Alicante Bouschet, big, bold, European gold medals, a variety that most had not ever tasted before – no wonder their wines are acclaimed.
Thank you to the significant number of members who ordered wines. We are sure you will enjoy them both in the coming months and also after some cellaring as the reds are both approachable now and ‘good keepers’.
These wines, or information on his range, are available to inquire or order direct from Victor, phone 0274417409 or from Regional Wines.
We are meeting as usual on 12 August at the Johnsonville Community Hall, Ground Floor for an 8 pm starts with Confidant Wines, a small (boutique) local importer of Portuguese wines in Wellington distributing the well-regarded Casa Santos Lima winery and a range of notable NZ wineries that are available in selected retail outlets and a number of Wellington restaurants.
Victor Kattenbelt has been around the Wellington wine scene for a number of years and travels to Europe every year (even early 2020), for wine trade expos in France, Netherlands and Germany, and to visit his suppliers in Portugal.
Victor’s Portuguese portfolio is extensive, and some of his wines this time round are new to his portfolio and we have decided to expand the tasting to 8 wines for the tasting to do justice to his wide range and to celebrate our European tasting country of the year.
If you are interested in doing more reading see Casa Santos Lima winery. The wines for the evening are:
A Portuguese bubble – Casa Santos Bruto [NV] to begin the evening
2018 Galodoro Rose
2016 VK Gewurztraminer (NZ)
2018 Linden Estate Chardonnay (NZ)
Then an array of 4 unique Portuguese reds:
2017 Bons Ventos
2017 Confidencial Red
2018 Valcatrina
and to finish a superb Alicante Bouschet premium red
The member door price will be $15 and guest price $18.
We hope all members are coming out of the hibernation that was COVID19 lockdown levels 4-3 and are looking forward to some normality re-energising their lives. We are now allowed to meet and lots happening so let me set things out for you. Firstly a major change is planned with Evelyn Dawson taking over the Editorship of your Newsletter. Evelyn has other commitments and will not be joining the committee, we are however, very keen to seek a new member or two into the committee with both Steve and Robin withdrawing. Think about it, please.
Evelyn Dawson (New editor)
Fletcher, David, 1952: I’ve been told to stop trivialising the work of politicians…
As everyone will realise we have been through strange and challenging times in recent weeks with the Cellar Club being in suspension. As people have sat in isolation and reviewed the meaning of life I have had an epiphany. I want to be the Editor of the Club’s Newsletter. The following are a couple of Club issues we need to deal with.
No mid-year dinner
There will be no July Dinner but instead, the AGM has been deferred until July. See “Looking Forward” for detail. Organising a dinner in the current somewhat fluid “Level” system is just too difficult. We do have planning well in hand for our celebration dinner in November which will be special and should compensate. More later on that.
Wairarapa trip & alternatives
We were all a bit sad that Covid19 meant that the planned Wairarapa trip in March could not proceed. We have been looking at alternatives and we are currently working on a deferment until February 2021. We will continue to work on this alternative and will keep you all informed.
Robin (retiring editor)
Robin, Pat and grandkids. 2015
You will note that I am relinquishing my role as your Newsletter Editor. I am also looking to stand down as a committee member and would love it if someone else would put up their hand for a turn. I have always believed that a little “churn” in committee membership allows for the introduction of variety and new ideas. I have been on the committee for 20 years and Editor for 9. Time for a change. I will continue to be a member of the club. Far too much good wine yet to be tasted to give up that privilege.
I have thoroughly enjoyed my time on the committee and very much appreciate the support I have received over the years. Best wishes for the continued success of the Club.
There is little more that I can add. Other Events and tastings are being pursued but it is clear that the future depends on events somewhat beyond our control. Let’s hope it doesn’t last too much longer and we can get together to enjoy some good company and wines.
Condolences
Rick and Fay Julian were members of our club for many years until they shifted to Hawkes Bay. Many of our members will be upset to learn that they have been involved in a vehicle accident where they both suffered mainly bruising injuries that required some hospitalisation. Unfortunately, Fay’s mother was in the vehicle and has died from injuries sustained. Our heartfelt condolences and best wishes go to them at this very sad time.
It’s the first of our celebratory activities for the year this month. The day trip to the Wairarapa promises to be a real highlight. A great deal of work has been put into the organisation of the day and I know we would all like to thank those on the committee who have been deeply involved.
A list of the two tasting groups can be found in your email from Robin.
Maison Noire
There has been a bit of fun over the Maison Noire deliveries. When they arrived at my place, in numbered cartons, there was a notable omission in that carton No.1 was missing. No message or contact from the courier about this so I contacted Esther at Maison Noire. With some difficulty, she was finally able to ascertain that some breakage had occurred in this carton. The carton contained mainly Chenin Blanc. Unfortunately, the order had exhausted their reserves of the 2019 vintage and they will be replacing these orders with 2020 wine. Very poor service from the courier PBT.
Thank you to the volunteers, who took the wine glasses home last year and washed them.
We need volunteers once again for the 2020 glasses roster. Once a year you will take the wine glasses home after the meeting, wash them and return them to the next month’s meeting. The meetings months this year are February, April to June and August to October and December
Please let Jenny Jebson if you want to volunteer with an indication of your preferred month.
