The Hedonistic Taster, L.M. Archer
"As a wine writer, It’s rare to desire every wine sampled in a tasting line-up. Yet each Mt. Beautiful Winery wine here elicits a hankering for more. Hats off to Mt. Beautiful winemaker Sam Weaver, a quiet leader in New Zealand’s Sustainable Winegrawing program, whom I first met at IPNC some years ago. Mt. Beautiful Winery proprietor David Teece have spared no expense, both in the vineyard and the cellar, to produce truly original, premium wines. This year marks Mt. Beautiful’s tenth vintage anniversary making wines in one of the world’s most hardscrabble locations. Good on them – here’s to more!
Wine: Mt. Beautiful Sauvignon Blanc
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13%
Robe: Clear lemon hue.
Nose: Cut grass, gooseberry, lime blossom, saline aromas.
Bouche: Lime zest, grapefruit, pineapple bouche; light-medium body, bright acids.
Quintessential New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc squared – gorgeous, pristine fruit + quality wine making.
Wine: Mt. Beautiful Riesling
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 11.3%
Robe: Pale lemon hue with tiny, iridescent green flecks.
Nose: Petrol, burnt rubber, citrus aromas.
Bouche: Medium body, off-dry, citrus bouche.
Solid, quality Riesling. Go ahead, Somms + wine geeks – you want this wine.
Wine: Mt. Beautiful Chardonnay
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5 %
Robe: Pale lemon robe.
Nose: White flowers, stone fruit, citrus aromas.
Bouche: Golden apple, white nectarine, mineral backnote bouche; light-medium body, nervy acids, clean finish.
Smitten. Best non-oak bomb New World Chardonnay yet. More, please.
Wine: Mt. Beautiful Rosé
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 13%
Robe: Gorgeous burnt apricot hue.
Nose: Lychee, white ginger, baking spice aromas.
Bouche: White peach, nectarine, nutmeg bouche; medium body, bright acids. You had me at ‘gorgeous burnt apricot robe.’
Alluring, intoxicating, haunting, “must have more” rosé. This wine just ain’t pretty – it’s got brains, too – which is why it ranks among my Top Five Fave Rosés for 2018.
Wine: Mt. Beautiful Pinot Noir
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Robe: Deep ruby robe.
Nose: Smokey, dark cherry, violet, bramble aromas.
Bouche: Blackberry, black cherry, red fruit bouche; light-medium body, artfully balanced acids and tannins, lingering finish.
Seamlessly constructed, exceptional quality Pinot Noir at a ridiculously accessible price point. No brainer, Pinotphiles. Buy. Drink. Repeat."
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