At our last wine and food evening we were privileged to have Marion Deimling of Schubert Wines walk us through their current range of wines. The wines were accompanied by delicious platters prepared by Penny Rae.
Kai Schubert and Marion Deimling, both Geisenheim University of Viticulture and Oenology graduates established Schubert wines in 1998.
They had set of around the world in search for the ideal place to plant and produce their true passion Pinot Noir. Having travelled extensively through regions like Oregon, California, Australia and Europe, they found what they were looking for in the Wairarapa. In spring 1998 they acquired the old Bob Petelin cottage in Cambridge Road and 40 hectares of bare land in East Taratahi. Schubert Wines obtained full organic certification in 2013.
We had the pleasure of tasting the wines in Gabriel Glasses designed by Swiss wine writer Rene` Gabriel as the ultimate multi-purpose wine glass. The slightly conical glass amplifies the wine bouquet while the glass itself is fine and light and wafer thin and a delight to use.
First wine up was the 2021 Sauvignon Blanc, this wine has an expressive bouquet of citrus with tropical fruit flavours. A vibrant wine with well-balanced acidity.
We moved on to the Rose` 2022. This is a lovely wine made from one hundred percent Pinot Noir, the flavour is of strawberries and cream further enhanced by a hint of manuka honey.
We then tasted the Tribianco, I believe this was one of the first blended whites to be produced in New Zealand. Vinified from chardonnay, pinot gris and muller thurgau the grapes are fermented in French oak barriques. This is a lovely smooth and creamy wine with fresh floral aromatics.
They also produce Con Brio we tasted 2018.This is a blend of syrah, merlot and pinot noir. The blend is made in steel vats and aged in mainly used French oak barriques (15%) new, for four years. This is a really interesting wine deeply concentrated aromas of ripe berries and cassis. The fruit flavours are enhanced by spices and liquorice, soft tannins and oak build complexity.
The 2019 syrah, is a vivid purple colour with aromas of plum and dark berries, leading into layers of tobacco with lingering spice and structured gamey tannins. A wine full of depth with a long cellaring potential.
We were lucky enough to taste two of the pinot noirs produced. First up was Marion’s Vineyard 2020.This vineyard is predominately the Abel and Pommard pinot noir clone. This wine has a wonderful depth, the taste unfolding many layers of flavours.
We then tasted 2020 Block B pinot noir. This wine is a selection of the Dijon clones 115,667,777,114 and 113.This is a complex wine with a firm tannic structure. Dark fruit flavours transitioning to thyme and violets supported by the oak which intensifies the spicy characters.
This was a wonderful evening for us to taste the range of such excellent wines and we thank Marion and Schubert Wines for the opportunity.
For our December event we will be off to a restaurant. If you are interested in becoming a member of this group, please ring Philippa on 021-43-4163 or Dave on 027-4530-475.
