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NOTES
Since leaving their last roles as winemakers/general managers at the prestigious Tower Estate and Tempus Two wineries in the Hunter Valley, winemakers Sarah-Kate (SK) and Dan Dineen have quietly built a winery, a new home, developed the Maude wine label and started a family amidst the stunning back drop of Lake Wanaka in Central Otago, New Zealand. It is no surprise to wine industry insiders that their wine, Maude, has become an instant success.
Part of the motivation to move to Central Otago was the eternal search for the holy grail of winemaking, Pinot Noir perfection. Often mentioned behind Burgundy but along the same lines as the Willamette Valley in terms of great Pinot regions, Maude as built a solid reputation for top quality Pinot culminating in a 96 Point rating for their 2004 vintage in Australia's Gourmet Traveller WINE Magazine.
Nonetheless, lets not forget that Dan and Sarah-Kate also produce a wine that is synonymous with New Zealand - Sauvignon Blanc.
TASTING NOTES
The colour, a luminous green and pale straw, leads to a nose that is youthful, classic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, with lively herbal grassy characters and a hint of gooseberry. The palate is full, lively and fruit-driven with flavours of gooseberries, lemon-lime citrus characters and an underlying mineral element. Natural fruit weight and texture with balanced acidity.
OTHER NOTES
Slightly sweaty aromas of passionfruit, gooseberry, spice and nettles. On the palate good intensity of flavour with passionfruit, grapefruit, kiwifruit, nettles and spice. Crunchy clean acidity. A dry wine with mouthwatering freshness. Finishes sweet and sour with a nettley edge and very good length. A classic and very direct Marlborough style. Big thumbs up - Gary Walsh, Winorama January 25, 2007 - 92 Points
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