2005 Millton Vineyard Clos
de Ste Anne les Arbres Viognier
RATING:
89 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Viognier
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
$40
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
The Les Arbres Viognier 2005 is tight on the
nose but very well-defined with great promise.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
2005 Millton Vineyard Clos
de Ste Anne Naboth's Vineyard Chardonnay
RATING:
94 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Chardonnay
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
$40
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
The standout wine is their Naboth’s Vineyard
2005 Chardonnay with a complex bouquet of honey, almond and a
little chalk, the palate viscous and concentrated with an intense
minerally finish – a testament to what can be done with older vines
in the right hands (and biodynamics of course!) I was not quite as
struck by the other wines shown.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
2005 Millton Vineyard Clos
de Ste Anne Naboth's Vineyard Pinot Noir
RATING:
86 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Pinot Noir
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
$40
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
Both the Naboth’s Vineyard 2005 Pinot Noir and
The Crucible 2005 Syrah lacked just a little vivacity and
persistency towards the finish, though both are debut releases and
future vintages are sure to improve.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
2005 Millton Vineyard Clos
de Ste Anne The Crucible Syrah
RATING:
88 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Syrah
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
$40
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
Both the Naboth’s Vineyard 2005 Pinot Noir and
The Crucible 2005 Syrah lacked just a little vivacity and
persistency towards the finish, though both are debut releases and
future vintages are sure to improve.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the world’s
first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New Zealand’s only
certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is unlikely to
last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s original
plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and Anne have
spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals, perhaps more
unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te Arai Vineyard
rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s benchmark
wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to focus
upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
The sophisticated 2006 Opou Vineyard Chardonnay
is one of New Zealand’s finest: a very Burgundian nose with
tangible minerality with honeyed-scents developing in the glass, a
palate that reminded me of a Meursault from Dominique Lafon.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
The 2007 Riverpoint Chardonnay was a little
subdued on the nose but the palate more than compensated with
immense focus and balance, suffused with apple, dried orange peel
and apricot flavors.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
2006 Millton Vineyard Te
Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc
RATING:
89 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Chenin Blanc
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
$22
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
Recommended-No tasting note given.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
2004 Millton Vineyard Te
Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc
RATING:
91 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Chenin Blanc
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
$22
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
The mini-vertical of Chenin Blanc was a
revelation, the picks of the bunch the animated 2004 Te Arai
Vineyard with a complex nose of wet wool, greengage and sweet pea,
the palate vibrant with Clementine and mango with great nervosite
on the finish .
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309
1998 Millton Vineyard Te
Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc
RATING:
93 points
PRODUCER:
Millton Vineyard
FROM:
Gisborne, New Zealand
VARIETY:
Chenin Blanc
DRINK:
-
ESTIMATED COST:
SOURCE:
WA, #176 Apr 2008
The 1998 Te Arai Vineyard Chenin Blanc adorned
with a fabulous nose with aromas of orange rind, lemon zest,
apricot and white flowers. Very well-defined and beautifully
delineated. The palate is very harmonious, very elegant with a
soft, silky texture you normally find on red wines. Honey, lemon
zest and touches of Clementine and pink grapefruit towards the
finish, this is very long, very refined: proof that these wines
merit a decade cellaring to reach their peak.
Millton is distinguished by being one of the
world’s first certified biodynamic vineyards and so far, New
Zealand’s only certified biodynamic vineyard although that claim is
unlikely to last much longer! Based on Anne Millton’s father’s
original plantings in the Opou Vineyard (7.73ha) both James and
Anne have spearheaded the renaissance of aromatic varietals,
perhaps more unusually in New Zealand, Chenin Blanc from the Te
Arai Vineyard rich in silt-loam soil. They are one of Gisborne’s
benchmark wineries who have no doubt inspired many in the region to
focus upon quality rather than selling crops on contract-basis and
produce a “Grand Cru” range under the Clos de Ste. Anne label. It
was an impressive line-up of beautifully crafted wines. Clos de
Ste. Anne is the “grand cru” label from James and Anne Millton,
cropped on a northeast-facing slope from unirrigated,
biodynamically-farmed 18-year-old vines.
Importer: Robert Bath Imports, St. Helena, CA;
tel. (707) 967-8089; fax (707) 967-8309