Follow us on Twitter.
Like 2009, 2010 was a great vintage for Kim Crawford Wines. Harvest saw the best growing and picking conditions for quite some years and the climate provided us with some excellent clean fruit that we feel we were able to pick at optimal flavour potential to hopefully produce some stunning 2010 vintage wines. Although harvest is always a busy time, I feel this harvest may go down as being one of the more relaxing ones (if there is such a thing).
One of the most hassle free harvests (only 12 hours of rain - never in my 13 years history have I experienced that!) with the best growing and picking conditions for quite some years. The climate provided us with some excellent clean fruit that we feel we were able to pick at optimal flavour potential to produce some stunning 2010 vintage wines.
The progress so far...
From what I have seen so far with the Sauvignon Blanc, there are some really intense aromas coming through. It's always great to open a tank lid and smell fresh cut grass or rich intense tropical fruit. On tasting these wines I am seeing real expression of fruit and intense rich palates with good length and persistence.
As with 2009, we held out the Pinot Noir fruit on the vines to ensure that we gained maximum potential for fruit quality without getting the unwanted green tannins that come with a cool year. Post pressing, the wines are looking very good. One of the noticeable differences you see straight away is the deep rich colour that 2010 has provided along with some very nice aromatic qualities and rich full palate.
A very fruitful driven style of Pinot Gris with the highlight so far would from a small grower block in the middle Wairau Valley area. Very delicate aromas of peach and apple, followed through on the palate with good weight.
Chardonnays were picked a bit riper this year, as there was a touch of lingering green in the fruit earlier on. Early days yet but I think we will be looking to make some rich tropical fruit style Unoaked Chardonnay's this year. I feel than the longer growing season has only benefitted Marlborough Chardonnay to give in good weight and length on the palate.
To sum-up, this is looking like being an exception vintage for Kim Crawford Wines. Drink up and enjoy!
For a full vintage report, please click here.
Matt Large, Kim Crawford's Winemaker, has now passed over the reigns to Anthony Walkenhorst. Follow Anthony's journey to Kim Crawford here.
