Waipara Hills Equinox

Waipara Hills Equinox Late Harvest Riesling NV

$0.00

Clover honey, pineapple, vanilla pod and dried apricot aromas lead to a rich decadent sweet spectrum of flavours with a hint of oak. Fresh acidity and lingering flavours make this luscious wine seem remarkably fresh and light. This wine is really over the top. Decadent, rich sweetnes. Intense lifted fruit. Bold and structured acidity. A small amount goes a long way, yet lingering flavours really get you coming back for another try.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Rich gold.
Nose: 
Dried apricots, pineapple, clover honey, vanilla pod and a touch of spice.
Palate: 
Undeniably decadent and rich, yet the acidity keeps it fresh and alive. Mouth-coating fruit is followed by acidity making a heavy wine seem a lot lighter and fresh.
Serve: 
Slightly chilled
Peak Drinking: 
Cellaring 10 years +
Suggested Food Match: 
Lemon Sorbet
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
11.0%
Acidity: 
10.35 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
200 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley, gravely to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
This wine was blended from wine made in 2009,2010,2011 and 2012 hence it is a non-vintage blend.
Grape Variety: 
100% Riesling
Maturation: 
We pressed frozen fruit to get the concentrated flavours, then after a carefully monitored fermentation in tank the wine was racked to a mixture of barrels for maturation. The blend is a mixture of previous vintage wines, all adding different characters and textures. The 2009 was aged in barrels for 36 months, 2010 was in barrels for about 28 months, 2011 for 16 months and 2012 for 4 months.

Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2011

$177.66

Hand picked, this is a structured rich and elegant Pinot Noir with dark cherry, chocolate, spice and smoky oak aromas. Smooth dark fruit on the palate finishes with freshness and a lovely full tannin structure. We made a smaller amount of wine this year to focus on the style. This will be a great wine to follow as it ages and develops, having the structure and elegance to open and evolve with careful cellaring. This wine is dedicated to Ben Roiri who has been working with the great people, vines and land at our Home Block in Waipara Valley since 2000. Cheers!

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Garnet red.
Nose: 
Dark cherries and chocolate with five spice and a touch of smoky oak aromas.
Palate: 
Rich, dark fruit flavours stay through to the finish. This is backed up with a lovely complete tannin structure that keeps the wine tight and fresh.
Serve: 
Room temperature in a large, generous glass.
Peak Drinking: 
Cellaring 10 years +
Suggested Food Match: 
Beautiful with lamb, duck or roasted red meats.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
13.5%
Acidity: 
5.97 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
0.4 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

59% The Mound Vineyard, 41% The Home Block Vineyard.

Vintage Conditions: 
The bud break this year was late September early October followed by a settled and warm spring withouth any frost set backs. The plants enjoyed good growth. We went into an early flower set, the earliest on our records and also one of the best. The summer and ripening season were dry and cool. Through the growing season we had 230mm of rain, the hottest month being December with an average temperature of 18 degrees Celsius.
Grape Variety: 
100% Pinot Noir
Maturation: 
The handpicked fruit was fully de-stemmed for a 7 day cold soak, then warmed and wild fermented for 7 days. The wine was then left on skins for 3 weeks before draining and pressing. After settling the wine was transferred to barrel, where it remained until Spring for MLF. After blending the wine spent a further 6 months in barrel before settling in tank for another four months before bottling. 100% barrel matured, 30% new.

Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Valley Riesling 2012

$0.00

Sourced from our Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley this Riesling displays aromas of rock melon, fresh granny smith apply, hints of kaffir lime and a touch of clover honey. Following in style from our previous vintages, the 2012 once again shows the characters associated with Riesling from Waipara. Melon, ginger and crisp apple flavour are dominant while also showing some of the German Riesling influence that this wine is modelled around. Textural, rich yet crisp and fresh. A great wine.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Pale green and yellow
Nose: 
Rock melon, lime juice, fresh Granny Smith apple and Jasmine floral aromas.
Palate: 
Wonderfully rich and generous with hints of honey, melon and crisp apple flavours that linger.
Serve: 
Slightly chilled in a large generous glass.
Peak Drinking: 
Cellaring 10 years +
Suggested Food Match: 
A great aperitif with salads or melon wrapped in prosciutto.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
12.0%
Acidity: 
9.61 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
27 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley, gravelly to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
A cool summer delayed the ripening much later than normal. This helped to retain acidity and develop the aromatics. The warm, stable weather in Autumn allowed the fruit to finish ripening and to be harvested in great condition.
Grape Variety: 
100% Riesling
Maturation: 
The hand picked, fully exposed fruit for this wine was taken from one of our oldest Riesling blocks from The Mound Vineyard. The fruit was whole bunch pressed and cold settled to extract very clean juice, before being cool fermented. The ferment was stopped with cold temperature when it was tasted balanced, then left un-sulphured for several months to develop and open up. No oak was used with this wine.

Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Valley Chardonnay 2012

$177.66

Sourced from our Home Block vineyard in the Waipara Valley this rich beautifully integrated Chardonnay has fresh bread, stone fruit and dried spice aromas. These flavours coat the mouth from the first sip while the acidity keeps the wine fresh and bright. This is a new wine style and addition to the Equinox Range. I love the concentration, integration and freshness that we've achieved. This wine has great poise - balancing the fruit, oak, buttery notes, oily texture and fresh acidity.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Bright straw/gold.
Nose: 
Rich fresh bread and stone fruit aromas are beautifully integrated with creamy MLF characters and dried sprice from the French oak.
Palate: 
Stone fruit and citrus fruit characters burst from the first sip, accentuated with creamy bread, nutmeg and cinnamon oak flavours. The rich flavours coat the mouth while the fresh acidity keeps the wine bright.
Serve: 
Slightly chilled in a large, generous glass.
Peak Drinking: 
Cellaring 10 years +
Suggested Food Match: 
Roasted chicken, seared tuna or pork belly.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
13.5%
Acidity: 
6.65 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
4.8 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Home Block Vineyard, Waipara Valley.

Vintage Conditions: 
A cool summer delayed the ripening much later than normal. This helped to retain acidity and develop the aromatics. The warm, stable weather in Autumn allowed the fruit to finish ripening and be harvested in great condition.
Grape Variety: 
100% Chardonnay
Maturation: 
Handpicked clone 95 Chardonnay was selected from our Home Block vineyard which was whole bunch pressed and cold settled before slightly cloudy juice was run to barrels for fermentation. After 3 weeks the barrels were topped and regularly stirred until temperatures waremed up and MLF started. This was topped about 50% through and the barrels were cooled for maturation for 5 months before bottling. 100% French oak, 30% new.

Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2012

$177.66

This complex oaked Sauvignon Blanc shows aromas of white peach, snow pea, citrus and smoky oak. The palate exhibits a wonderful mixture of smoke, spice, stone fruits and citrus flavours. At first the rich texture fills the mouth, then vibrant acidity comes through leading to a dry finish. This wine has got class, interest and vibrancy, while still being fresh and crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Made more in a French style than what we've become used to in NZ. This wine should continue to delvelop nicely for up to 10 years.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Pale green/yellow.
Nose: 
White peach, snow pea and citrus notes with a touch of smoky oak.
Palate: 
Following on from the nose the palate exhibits a wonderful mixture of smoke, spice, stone fruits and citrus flavours. At first the rich texture fills the mouth, then the vibrant acidity leads to a dry finish.
Serve: 
Slightly chilled in a large, generous glass with seared scallops.
Peak Drinking: 
Cellaring 10 + years
Suggested Food Match: 
Seared scallops or seafood cuisine
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
12%
Acidity: 
7.83g/L
Residual Sugar: 
6g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard, gravelly to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
A cool summer delayed the ripening much later than normal. This helped to retain acidity and develop the aromatics. The warm, stable weather in Autumn allowed the fruit to finish ripening and to be harvested in great condition.
Grape Variety: 
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Maturation: 
Fruit from the Mound Vineyard was harvested in the cool of the morning, pressed in the winery and cold settled for two days to obtain crystal clear juice. This was then transferred to French barrels to ferment for 3 weeks. The barrels were topped and stirred for a month to develop palate weight, before being sulphured and matured for another 4 months in barrel.

Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Valley Pinot Gris 2011

$0.00

Selectivley hand picked from our oldest Pinot Gris vines from The Home Block Vineyard this is a lovely dry, textural Pinot Gris reflective of the long growing season with added complexity through the use of the older barrels. Apple, pear and wild flower aromas combine with a hint of nuttiness and fresh ginger. Rich texture and fruit sweetness is balanced with acidity with lingering ginger and pear flavours. Serve slightly chilled with rich Asian dishes like Peking Duck.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Pale straw.
Nose: 
Apple pear, wild flowers, hints of ginger and a slight nuttiness.
Palate: 
The rich texture and fruit sweetness coats the mouth, then the balanced acidity steps in to tie up the palate, with a lingering ginger and pear flavour that goes on and on...
Serve: 
Slightly chilled.
Peak Drinking: 
2011 - 2012
Suggested Food Match: 
Richer Asian dishes like Peking Duck.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
14.5%
Acidity: 
6.45 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
4.4 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from the Home Block Vineyard in the Waipara Valley, gravely with silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
The bud break this year was late September early October followed by a settled and warm spring without any frost set backs. The plants enjoyed good growth. We went into and early flower set, the earliest on records and also one of the best. The summer and ripening season were dry and cool. Through the growing season we had 230mm of rain, the hottest month being December with an average temperature of 18 degrees.
Grape Variety: 
100% Pinot Gris
Maturation: 
A select hand pick from our oldest Pinot Gris vines, whole bunch pressed and cool settled until extremely clear, then cool fermented in old barrels and left un-sulphured for several months to promote flavour development. Only old barrels were used as to impart only subtle oak characters.

Waipara Hills Equinox Waipara Valley Riesling 2011

$0.00

Selected from one of our oldest Riesling parcels from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley this follows in style from the 2010 Equinox Riesling. Displaying aromas of rock melon, fresh granny smith apple, hints of kaffir lime and a touch of clover honey. This wine is wonderfully rich and generous with honey, melon and crisp apple flavours. The texture is rich yet has a crisp freshness. Serve slightly chilled matched with Thai food or fresh dishes with an element of heat.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Pale green and yellow.
Nose: 
Rock melon, fresh Granny Smith apple, hints of kaffir lime and a touch of clover honey.
Palate: 
Wonderfully rich and generous with hints of honey, melon and crisp apple flavours that linger.
Serve: 
Lightly chilled.
Peak Drinking: 
2011 - 2021
Suggested Food Match: 
Great with Thai food or any other fresh dishes with an element of heat.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
12.5%
Acidity: 
7.9 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
30.5g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley, gravelly to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
The bud break this year was late September early October followed by a settled and warm spring without any frost set backs. The plants enjoyed good growth. We went into an early flower set, the earliest on our records and also one of the best. The summer and ripening season were dry and cool. Through the growing season we had 230mm of rain, the hottest month being December with an average temperature of 18 degrees.
Grape Variety: 
100% Riesling
Maturation: 
Selected parcel from one of our oldest block was cool fermented, stopped with cold temperature and left un-sulphured for several months to develop and open up. No oak was used with this wine.
Accolades
Bronze - Canberra International Riesling Challenge 2011
Bronze - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards (NZ) 2012
Silver - Cheese Class. Canterbury Wine Awards (NZ) 2012
90 Points "Bright floral aromas, wild flowers, steel and quartz. Crushed rocks. Palate has burst of citrus and finishes with tangly lime juice cordial. Spicy too. Some more stony/rocky complexity and a fine, slatey undertone. Gets that balance well." Winefront.com.au

Waipara Hills Equinox Late Harvest Riesling NV

$0.00

Clover honey, pineapple, wild flower, nougat and cashew nut aromas lead to a rich decadent vibrant sweet spectrum of tropical fruit and honey flavours with a hint of oak to coat the mouth. Fresh acidity and lingering flavours make this a very special wine. Best served at the end of the meal with cheese and walnuts.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Golden.
Nose: 
Clover honey, pineapple, wild flowers, nougat and cashews.
Palate: 
Rich, vibrant sweetness hits the palate, then a spectrum of tropical fruit and honey, along with a hint of oak coat the mouth. Finally the acidity catches up and reasserts itself to leave the mouth fresh and wanting more!
Serve: 
At room temperature.
Peak Drinking: 
Can be cellared for 10+ years
Suggested Food Match: 
Great at the end of the meal with cheese and walnuts.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
11.0%
Acidity: 
9.23 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
197 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley, gravely to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
This wine was blended from wine made in 2009, 2010 and 2011, hence it is a non-vintage blend.
Grape Variety: 
100% Riesling
Maturation: 
We pressed frozen fruit to get the concentrated flavours in this wine, then after a carefully monitored fermentation in tank the wine was racked to a mixture of barrels for maturation. The 2009 was aged in barrels for 24 months, the 2010 was in barrels for about 15 months and the 2011 for about 4 months.
Accolades
Dessert Class winner - Canterbury Wine Awards (NZ) 2012
3 Stars - Winestate Magazine, 2012 (Australia)
“You have GOT to try the Waipara Hills Equinox Late Harvest Riesling ($29, 375mL) with this decadent pudding. It’s a versatile, multi-vintage blend of honeyed toffee goodness edged with toasted nuts, mixed peel and marmaladely magic.” Dish Magazine, July 2012. Circulation 21,896. Yvonne Lorkin.

Waipara Hills Equinox Pinot Noir 2010

$0.00

Hand picked from The Mound Vineyard this is a structured, rich and elegant Pinot Noir with dark cherry, rich chocolate, char and dried spice aromas. Seductive and silky initially the palate opens out with mouth filling and persistent flavour and a finely balanced structure of firm acidity and beautiful French oak. Serve at room temperature in a large generous glass matched with lamb, duck or roasted meats.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Dark ruby red.
Nose: 
Dark cherry, a touch of char and dried spice from the oak and rich chocolate.
Palate: 
Seductive and silky initially, opening out with mouth filling and persistent flavour, and a balanced structure of firm acidity and beautiful French oak.
Serve: 
Room temperature in a large generous glass.
Peak Drinking: 
Can be cellared for 10+ years
Suggested Food Match: 
Beautiful with lamb, duck or roasted meats.
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
13.0%
Acidity: 
5.9 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
1.3 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley - gravelly to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
A cooler summer delivered a delayed harvest, but the stable Autumn allowed complete ripening and full expression of the fruit.
Grape Variety: 
100% Pinot Noir
Maturation: 
Handpicked fruit from two of our clones on The Mound Vineyard. De-stemmed and tipped into fermenters for a seven day cold soak, then a warm wild ferment, followed by about three weeks on skins for further tannin development. Pressed off then run to barrels and left until the spring started MLF. Racked and blended in December before going back to barrel until May for bottling. About 30% new French oak was used with the remainder 1 and 2 year old.
Accolades
Lamb Class Winner - Canterbury Wine Awards (NZ) 2012
Silver - International Wine Challenge (UK) 2012

Waipara Hills Equinox Sauvignon Blanc 2011

$177.66

Sourced from The Mound Vineyard in the Waipara Valley this complex and compelling oaked Sauvignon Blanc has ripe peach and nectarine aromas mixed with smoky oak notes. The palate follows with a wonderfull mixture of smoke, spice, stone fruits and citrus flavours. Rich texture fills the mouth and vibrant acidity leads to a dry finish. Serve chilled in a Chardonnay glass with seafood cuisine.

Tasting Notes
Colour: 
Crystal clear with a touch of green.
Nose: 
Slightly smoky oak mixes with ripe peach and nectarine notes. Complex and compelling.
Palate: 
Following on from the nose the palate exhibits a wonderful mixture of smoke, spice, stone fruits and citrus flavours. At first the rich texture fills the mouth, then the vibrant acidity comes through leading the dry finish.
Serve: 
Chilled in a Chardonnay glass.
Peak Drinking: 
Cellar for up to 5 years +
Suggested Food Match: 
Seafood
Wine Analysis
Alc Vol: 
14.0%
Acidity: 
6.0 g/L
Residual Sugar: 
1.5 g/L
Wine Background
Vineyard Region: 

100% from The Mound Vineyard, gravelly to silt loams.

Vintage Conditions: 
Bud break this year was September early October followed by a settled and warm Spring without any frost set backs. The plants enjoyed good growth. We went into an early flower set, the earliest on our records and also one of the best. The summer and ripening season were dry and cool. Through the growing season we had 230mm of rain, the hottest month being December with an average temperature of 18 degrees.
Grape Variety: 
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Maturation: 
Cool fermentation in a mixture of new and old barrels, then left on lees for four months with a regular stirring to promote mouth feel and texutre. Approx 10% new oak and a mixture of aged barrels.
Accolades
Bronze - Royal Easter Show Wine Awards (NZ) 2012
4 1/2 Stars "Classy, ripely scented wine with fresh, concentrated passionfruit-like flavours, enriched by a subtle seasoning of oak and a long, dry, well-rounded finish". Listener, Circulation 64,712. April 2012, Michael Cooper
Silver - Vegetarian Class. Canterbury Wine Awards (NZ) 2012
91 Points/ 4.5 Stars. "A lovely barrel influenced Sauvignon, the bouquet displays gentle, complex aromas of nectarine, dried herb, feijoa and creamy oak. The palate is full and richly textured with lovely mid palate weight, leading to a lengthy finish. A sumptuous Sauvignon with an opulent mouthfeel and a hint of savoury notes. At its best: now to 2015. Sam Kim, Wine Orbit. April 2012
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