Quality New Zealand wines and winemaking, Nelson New Zealand
Wines
Winemaker's Notes
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Bronte 2009 Pinot GrisRimu Grove 2006 Pinot Gris
Rimu Grove 2005 Pinot Gris
Rimu Grove 2004 Pinot Gris
Rimu Grove 2003 Pinot Gris
Rimu Grove 2002 Pinot Gris
Rimu Grove 2003 Pinot Gris Vendange TardiveRimu Grove 2006 Chardonnay
Rimu Grove 2005 ChardonnayRimu Grove 2003 Chardonnay
Rimu Grove 2002 Chardonnay
Rimu Grove 2001 Reserve Chardonnay
Rimu Grove 2001 Chardonnay
Rimu Grove 2000 ChardonnayBronte 2006 Pinot Noir
Rimu Grove 2006 Pinot NoirRimu Grove 2004 Pinot Noir
Rimu Grove 2003 Pinot Noir
Rimu Grove 2002 Pinot Noir
Rimu Grove 2001 Pinot Noir
Rimu Grove 2000 Pinot Noir
Vintage Report 2008:
A most challenging vintage! The season began with a mid-October frost which singed the shoot tips in some of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Ideal flowering weather led to an excellent fruit-set, followed up by a dry summer which was leading up to be a near perfect season. A "game of two halves" ensued, with the first half of harvest under ideal conditions; the second half consisted of a 130mm rain "event" in mid-April, splitting the thinly-skinned Pinot Gris grapes. After much hand-sorting in the vineyard and winery, the grapes were pressed and resulting wines have lovely varietal characteristics, great balance and textural qualities.
Vintage Report 2007:
A changeable cold and windy spring provided good fruit-set for the Chardonnay, but variable set for the Pinots (hens & chickens) resulting in 30-40% less crop. A warm and dry summer followed, allowing the fruit to be picked at optimal ripeness. The whites have lovely aromatics and minerality, while the Pinot Noir has great concentration and length.
Vintage Report 2006:
A warm spring provided for early flowering, followed by a warm, dry summer. We received some late rain, but its effect was minimal due to the early harvest. As close to a "picture-perfect" vintage as one could hope for.Vintage Report 2005:
The spring leading up to the 2005 vintage was the coldest on record! That cold December drastically affected flowering, reducing crop loads to less than half of our normal (already reduced) yields. The rest of the season saw typical Nelson warmth and sunshine, though the vines were 2-4 weeks behind. With the much-reduced yields, fruit intensity was phenomenal!Vintage Report 2004:
The 2004 vintage was a wet one. Luckily most of the rain came early (February) in deluges, and as the fruit ripened in March there was little rain. Extensive leaf plucking and fruit thinning allowed for drying out and optimal ripening. The fruit stayed on the vines for an additional 2-4 weeks longer than usual, providing even ripening and good fruit intensity. Preliminary tastings from this vintage indicate the best wines yet!Vintage Report 2003:
This vintage was the result of a perfect growing season with the challenge of rain at harvest. Thankfully, the hillside aspect of the vineyard and the extensive work of removing leaves and laterals on the vines allowed for the water to drain and fruit to dry out and complete ripening without rot. The long hang time of grapes on the vine this season resulted in wines that are very rich and full of intense flavours.Vintage Report 2002:
The growing season was full of contrasts- record rainfalls, record sunshine months (high and low), record dry months all in one season. Luckily things came in the right order, with fine weather throughout vintage. Excellent physiological ripeness, high brix levels and flavour intensity with no disease evident make for exceptional vintage 2002 wines.Vintage Report 2001
Frost in November limited our Pinot Noir crop, located in a lower area of the vineyard. The young vineyard benefited from the spring rain. The drought from Jan-April limited the vigour of the vines, allowing them to focus their energies on fruit development. These drought conditions resulted in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay with very concentrated fruit flavours.Vintage Report 2000
This was a long growing season. It started with spring rain and cool conditions, but an 'Indian summer' allowed for additional development of mature fruit characteristics. This long season added to the complexity of the vintage 2000 wines.
