Friday 28 August 2015

TIKI wine tasting

This month's wine tasting was hosted by Pip from TIKI Wines. Tiki is a family owned and operated winery based in North Canterbury but with vineyards in Waipara, Marlborough, Central Otago and Hawkes Bay. 95% of the fruit grown in the Waipara Valley are contract grown for other producers. Each vineyard is certified sustainable and working towards achieving certified organic status within the next two years.

We sampled a selection of seven wines from three of Tiki's five wine ranges: Koro, the premium reserve label, Estate and two single vineyard reserves.

Tiki Pinot Noir Rose 2015. We were privileged to be only the second group in the country to taste this newly released rose, which was bottled just five weeks ago. Even this early on, the flavour was full with notes of cherries and strawberries. Definitely a wine for our yes list. We even ordered two bottles to enjoy when summer arrives, as it can cellar for 2-4 years.

Tiki Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Gris 2014. This smooth pinot gris had a low level of residual sugar, leaving it with an off-dry finish. Slightly aromatic, I didn't really taste the pear, quincy and spicy notes that others seemed to be enjoying. Drinkable and pleasant, so it'll go on the maybe list.

Tiki Single Vineyard Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2014. We heard about the very impressive process followed to make this chardonnay. It was bottled 4 months ago but apparently will cellar until 2023! I just couldn't get past the heavy oak notes. A no for me.

Tiki Koro Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2014. Only 300 x 6 cases of this reserve label chardonnay were produced and they can cellar for up to 20 years. Oaked for 14 months, I once again couldn't get past the overpowering oak and acidic aftertaste. Another no.

Tiki Estate Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015. As a sauvignon blanc fan, this wine surprised me. Released just five weeks ago, it was already earned two 5-star recommendations. I disliked how it was incredibly acidic up front - although the hints of evil capsicum may have turned me off even more. Sadly, a no.

Tiki Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014.
Tiki Koro Wanaka/Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013.
Two pinot noir varietals here. Both were too oaky for me. Definite nos - although our table did enjoy reading the tasting notes for the Koro pinot noir and its description of 'forest floor aromas'. Isn't that what most people call mulch?

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