Muddy Water - June 2004
And another vintage over….! March and April handed Waipara it’s usual perfect autumn weather, warm sunny days and cool nights. That, combined with the enormous effort the vineyard team made in shoot and fruit thinning, gave us fruit of high quality. We even impressed our selves by only being 2% out in our crop estimates! Our harvest workers and vast quantities of teenagers on school and university holidays worked very hard in the vineyard and we were very grateful for their assistance. When they were not required for picking we managed to complete some landscaping jobs, weed eating, planting tussocks, cleaning the dam and filling in potholes! Belinda and Pete were kept very busy in the winery and were delighted to have the assistance of French Canadian, Isabelle. Her wealth of experience in Burgundy and America proved invaluable. The long days and nights have paid off and all the wines are now in tank or barrel. We are really pleased that we will have the range of Rieslings this year, Dry, James Hardwick and Unplugged. We tasted a sample of the Dry recently and it was stunning!! Our sincere thanks to both Belinda and Peter for all their efforts. Mid May saw the vintage over and with it the departure of Gwyn Williams, our vineyard manager. Gwyn was responsible for the initial setting up of the vineyards and has worked with Jane and Mike for ten years; he has trained many staff, answered calls at night for frost warnings, produced budgets, dealt with suppliers and been endlessly patient with teenagers and dogs! We are very grateful for his contribution to the success of Muddy Water. He leaves us to pursue his own business, Vinecare and we wish him every success. As of 1 June, Jane relinquished the task of New Zealand trade distribution to Eurowine, as she became aware that she was not able to offer the service required to the entire country. Jane will still continue with the mail order, website and overseas customers; however we are delighted that Eurowine has included us in their portfolio. They have an excellent reputation in New Zealand with a team of dedicated, knowledgeable staff and we look forward to working with them. Lynda McGlashen began the pruning early and with Peters assistance we are halfway there. The university boys are assisting with trellis work and pulling out. A new block of Chardonnay is to be planted this spring and the planning for that is now complete, posts ordered and the cultivation begun! The 2003 Chardonnay was bottled early April and has recently been released, while still a young wine it should develop well. The winemaking notes are attached.The 2004 Rieslings will be bottled in August as well the rest of the 03 reds. Wines that are currently available include - Muddy Water Pinot Noir 2002
- Muddy Water Pinot Noir Reloaded 2002
- Muddy Water Chardonnay 2003
- We have been delighted with the recent reviews as follows
- The Best of Wine in Ireland. The Wine Guide 2004.
- Muddy Water Pinot Noir 2001.
"Wonderful nose of cherries and cinnamon oak, leading on to light, succulent dark cherry fruit, refreshing acidity and a kiss of oak. Delicious". Serena Sutcliffe. Head of International Wine Dept. Sotheby’s. "…while Muddy Water, from Waipara, was a joy, showing masses of smooth, silky red fruit, perhaps illustrating the sensitive touch of its female winemaker." Tim Harris. Canvas. The Herald. 3 April 2004. "is no blushing violet, but nor is it coarse, despite its high alcohol and assertive tannin. It has a rich, sweet nose, suggestive of raisins and fruitcake, and of a hot dry season. Its flavour, fine ripe tannin, and the way it feels in the mouth make it quite Rhone like, a full throated wine with sweet rich flavours. But it also retains some of the delicacy and poise of Pinot Noir. It is a flamboyant, marvellous wine." Michael Cooper. Sunday Star Times. 18 April 2004. "Not for the faint hearted, Muddy Water Pinotage 2002, is a strapping (14.8% alcohol) Waipara, red with loads of colour, flavour and body. Very ripe tasting, with bold, berryish, plumy flavours and the gamey character typical of Pinotage, its drinking well now." 4 ½ stars. TiZwine.com Pinot Noir Tasting Results. Awarded Top Tip. "Light, sweet fruited and pretty, this Pinot is no blockbuster, but it has a lot of elegant appeal. The fruit is clean and juicy and the tannins subdued. Partner it with a warm lamb and rocket salad and you’ll get the point." Gail Thomas. Stock and Land. Australia. May 2004. "A particularly impressive example of Pinotage is from Muddy Water on the NZ South Island in Waipara….Wine maker Belinda Gould has produced a rich complex wine with mouth filling flavours, good backbone and firm tannins that should also benefit from further cellar maturation." Glenda Neil. Next Magazine. July 2004. "Light lemon blossom aroma, intense citrus flavours and crisp but sweet finish. Delicious after dinner." Our thanks for your continued support, Kind regards Jane and Michael East
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