Spy Valley Wines - Visit and tasting log January 2021
Satellite Sauvignon Blanc 2020 - Classically styled SB - fresh, bright and packed with fresh herbs and pineapple tropical fruits, peach and sweet grapefruit. High acidity, crisp, crunchy, refreshing and dry. Drink now and through 2022+
91 Points - Premium
Spy Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2020 - Ripe, fresh, lemon and apple, white peach and fresh herb. Plush, fresh, ripe, fruity and delicious. High acidity, fruits flavours mirror the nose - are expressive, vibrant and enticing. There’s a lite fruit spice moment then flavours of pineapple, white fleshed fruits, well made and ready. Drink now and through 2023+.
93 Points - Excellent
Spy Valley Gewurztraminer 2020 - Floral and very fruity, plenty of spice and very fruit centric. Fresh, bright, pungent, classic and enticing bouquet. A delicate layer of spice and dried herb begin the palate story followed by flavours of fresh whites fleshed fruits, Asian pears and tropical fruits.. Warm with med+ alcohol, med+ - ish acidity. Balanced, fresh and ready. Best now and through 2022.
90 Points - Premium
Spy Valley Chardonnay 2019 - Enticing, balanced, fresh, creamy bouquet, aromas and flavours of yellow and white fleshed stone fruits, citrus, creamed cashew nut. Med+ acidity, not full-bodied - doesn’t have to be. Balanced, clean, well made. Drink now and through 2024+.
92 Points - Premium
Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2019 - Intense bouquet with a core of varietal aromas - cherry and raspberry, red apple and plum. Fine tannins are abundant, medium+ acidity and a core of fruit. A lovely wine, well made, lengthy and ready. Drink now and through 2025.
94 Points - Excellent
Spy Valley Envoy Sauvignon Blanc 2016 - Waihopai Valley - Evolved to a level that the oak is not a focal point, the lees aromas and textures are backed up by fine fruit aromas. Has complexity and depth on the palate with flavours of preserved citrus and peach, some oak and tannin layers, leesy textures and medium acidity. Well made and decent length. Drink now and through 2024.
93 Points - Excellent
Spy Valley Envoy Pinot Noir 2016 - Waihopai Valley - Developed, fruity, varietal and inviting. Cherries and red plums, some spices from fruit and oak then vanilla baking spice notes. Fine tannins, fresh and still youthful, developing complexities whilst remaining charming and with true pinosity at the core. Best from today and through 2024.
92 Points - Premium
Spy Valley Envoy Pinot Noir 2012 - Outpost Vineyard - Developed and ready - that said theirs a mix of primary and mostly secondary fruit - cherries and plums, fine dried herbs and a lovely texture from tannins and spice then tertiary flavours that bring the wine to its current balanced and ready state. Best drinking upon purchase or if in your cellar still - time to imbibe.
90 points
Spy Valley Envoy Riesling 2018 - G Block - 105gplrs, 13.5%abv, 8-9 TA. Great bouquet with pineapple, apple and sweet lemon, honeyed fruits with botrytis aromas. Delicious, fresh, crisp and loaded with flavours suggested by the nose. Fermented in old barrels. Long finish with a tangy light cheesy note. Overall delicious. balanced and well made.
93 Points - Excellent
Spy Valley Envoy Riesling 2018 - Pump Block - 105gplrs 15%abv 8-9 TA. Aromas and flavours of dried herb and mineral, spice, dried pineapple and dried lemon. Then apple and some tropical fruit notes. On the palate sweet, crisp, tense and with phenolic textures - that work. Lengthy, balanced and fresh. Quite sweet.
92 Points - Premium
Spy Valley Envoy Riesling 2018 - D Block - 199gplrs 9.5% abv 8-9 TA. Intense, ripe, richly scented with caramel and roasted peaches, preserved lemon. Full-bodied, super creamy with plenty of flavour and length. Delicious, well made and will last for some time. Fabulous length and finish.
94 Points - Excellent
Spy Valley Envoy Riesling 2013 - Waihopai Valley - Green apples, lemons and limes, the minerality is easy to miss at the beginning but begins to emerge after a few minutes. Intense, crisp and just dry with flavours that reflect the nose, an orange barley sugar note and flowers. Delicious! Drink now and through 2025+.
95 Points - Outstanding