Bladen Marlborough Gewürztraminer ‘Tilly Vineyard’ 2019

LEAVING CITY LIFE in 1989, Dave and Christine Macdonald did so with two toddlers in tow – literally – they traversed New Zealand in a caravan to find the perfect location to make their wine dreams come true. That location was Marlborough and Bladen was born, one of only eight wineries in what was then a newly developing wine region. Named for the young Macdonald children – Blair and Deni – Bladen quickly developed a reputation for remarkable wines, a reputation which remains solid today. Bladen’s ‘Tilly Vineyard’ Gewürztraminer is dedicated to the grapegrowers, Kevin and Kerry Tilly whose vineyards are located in the Benmorven area of Marlborough’s Southern Valleys. The gewürztraminer grapes were picked later than expected. This was due to a later budburst in spring and then lower sunshine hours in autumn which delayed the start to their all important ripening before harvest. Once handpicked, the grapes were crushed and then held in the press to extract the maximum flavour possible and fermented in stainless steel tanks to retain freshness and the signature aromatics for which gewürztraminer is famous. This gewürztraminer is full bodied, rich and oily, a remarkably good example of fine New Zealand gewürztraminer. It displays heady dried spice, subtle Turkish delight and ethereal rose water aromas. An exotic beauty with a seductive moreish palate with rich honey and spice notes which carry through to a long, sustained finish, leaving all the senses relaxed, happy and fulfilled. Balanced, delightful and as good now as it will be after five years in your cellar.

• Gewurztraminer - White wine
• Marlborough - New Zealand
• NZ $29
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• Cellar: 5 year(s)
top 5
• View the full NZ Gewurztraminer 2020 tasting results