Wither Hills Visit - January 10th 2021

Thanks to the team at Wither Hills especially Rachel - who hosted.

Highlights from the tasting below:

Wither Hills The Honorable Pinot Noir 2017 - Savoury core with spicy oak and toastiness - complex and intriguing, mineral, layers of flowers and Asian spices. Dry, tense, textured and fruity. A lovely example that WH should do more of! Heirloom strawberries and cherries, dried herbs and plum. Great structure with firm fruit and wood tannins, med+ acidity and lengthy finish. Well made, a great selection of barrels. Drink now and through 2026+. 94 Points

Wither Hills Taylor River Pinot Noir 2017 - French oak aged - 10 months. Hand harvested, Hand plunged, Varietal, bright, fresh, fruity and charming bouquet. Aromas and flavours of strawberries and cherries, river stones and soft dried herb moments. Youthful, quietly intense, nice purity and freshness. Satin texture on the palate, red apple, red cherry, some herb then river stones. Barrel spices and greywacke stones flavour. Youthful and tense with firm tannins and M+ acidity. Hint of aldehyde, but okay. Well made. Drink now-ish and through 2025+. 93 Points

Wither Hills Cellar Selection Barrel Fermented Sauvignon Blanc 2019 - Sophisticated bouquet, has complexity and allure whilst holding onto the core of varietal SB aromas - tropical, apple and citrus. Lovely texture and richness with decent acid line and texture, still holds onto the varietal core of SB fruit flavours. Some fine tannins and lees notes. Well made. Best drinking from today and through 2023+. This wine spent 10 months in barrel, 25% MLF, lots of lees action. 94 Points

Wither Hills Rarangi Sauvignon Blanc 2019 - Really lovely nose with fresh apple and white fleshed orchard fruits, citrus and tropical fruit aromas. Angelica and soft herb with a touch of sage and basil. The core of the bouquet is fresh varietal fruit. Lovely on the palate, satin texture contrasting firm acid line, lovely pure fruit flavours, balanced and well made. VG. 93 Points

Wither Hills Cellar Selection Pinot Gris 2020 - Old Renwick Rd fruit. Has some old barrel spice scents, but still a core of fruit, varietal and fresh. 14% abv is noticed but this adds a nice weight and silkiness with a core of fruit surrounding with white fleshed orchard fruits, moments of citrus with a pith and peel layer. Nice back palate tension with balanced phenolics. There’s a residual sweetness tickle (4.1) which gives some weight, but the wine ultimately finishes dry. Well made. 93 Points