The Robert Parker Wine Advocate reviews of Mountford’s 2008 (which is our soon to be released vintage) are out. There has been giddy excitement here yesterday as this is the first full from start to finish vintage for Kees and Kathryn, the current owners of Mountford and Missie MacDonald, the amazing vineyard manager here. Together with CP, our well-known winemaker, Mountford is very proud of the 2008 vintage. It feels fantastic to have our efforts recognized in such a way.
Now, for copyright and subscription reasons I cannot copy word for word what has all been said about all the reviews that are on the eRobertParker.com website. I can, however, talk about Mountford. So here is what you can expect from our 2008 vintage:
Firstly our 2009 Mountford Estate Single Vineyard Hommage A l’Alsace:
Rating: 92
“The 2009 Hommage a l’Alsace is a field blend of Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewürztraminer and Muscat (editors note: plus a secret ingredient Grape that CP will not reveal)grown in a mixed planting within a single vineyard. It reveals a moderate intensity of floral aromas, honeysuckle and orange blossom, plus peaches, pears and apples and a spicy undercurrent. Light to medium bodied, crisp and dry, the palate is layered with discernible notes of peaches and spices, dill and fennel seed, finishing long. I love it! It’s delicious now though it seems a style that should age well, continuing to cellar to 2015+”
2008 Mountford Gradient Single Vineyard Pinot Noir:
Rating: 93+
“Medium-deep ruby-purple in color, the 2008 Gradient Pinot Noir reveals a black cherry core perfumed with violets, cassia, nutmeg, cloves and pepper plus some tree bark and forest floor. The palate is wonderfully elegant and seamlessly constructed with a medium body, medium-high acid and medium level of fine grainy tannins. The cherry and spice flavors are youthfully restrained, just beginning to peak-through in the long finish. It should be drinking best from 2012 to 2016+”
2008 Mountford Estate Pinot Noir:
Rating: 92
“Pale ruby colored, the 2008 Pinot Noir gives pronounced notes of warm strawberries and cranberries going earthy/gamey with supporting aromas of underbrush, smoked duck, truffles and wet stones. Medium to full-bodied, there is a lot of poise on the palate with a good backbone of high acid and a medium level of very fine, silt-like tannins. There’s plenty of berry and earth flavors layering the long-finish. It’s good now and should continue to develop and drink to 2016.”
2008 Mountford Estate Chardonnay:
Rating: 91
“Mountford Estate’s 2008 Chardonnay gives intense toast and floral notes with underlying orange blossom, peaches, cream and touches of nuts and chalk dust. Crisp, creamy, concentrated and very tight-knit,this medium to full-bodied Chardonnay presents a long finish of citrus fruits and chalk. It’s approachable now but should improve greatly with another year in bottle, drinking best form 2012 to 2015+”
2008 Mountford Liaison Pinot Noir:
Rating: 89
“The 2008 Liaison Pinot Noir displays a pale ruby color and a moderate intensity of macerated cherries and raspberry aromas with some damp leaves, moss and a touch of cinnamon. Crisp, elegant, medium-full bodied, it has a low-level of silky tannins and a long finish. Drink it now to 2014.”
Yes you read that right, 93+ for the Gradient only 5 NZ wineries received 93+ points or more – and yes Mountford was one of them!!!
Craggy Range, Kumeu River, Te Mata, The Messenger and Mountford – Mountford being the only South Island producer in this list! – We think that’s quite cool!
On the Robert Parker website it says that 93+ means:
90 – 95:
An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
If you want to read more Robert Parker Reviews or explore wines, producers and different wine cultures please sign up to eRobertParker. It is well worth it. If you can’t subscribe at this stage you can still read the rating range or explore where you can find certain wines for sale.
Now, which wine to open in celebration??
Mountford Estate Vineyard and Winery 