Fromm 2004 Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir

Fromm 2004 Clayvin Vineyard Pinot Noir

Continuing the Dazmaz mini Marlborough meander we visited Fromm winery, who have lately been getting quite a bit of positive media.  They were very engaging and knowledgeable at the cellar door and, more importantly, were happy to let us taste the good stuff.  One of their cellar releases was their single vineyard 2004 Clayvin Pinot Noir.     

Source: Winery direct.

Price: NZ$74

Drank: March 2014 (10 years).

Colour: Brick red.

Nose: Enticing.  Betrays its Burgundy inspiration.

Palate: Quite soft and smooth but not overly mature.

Length: A little short.  Perhaps it still needs a few more years.

Food: We had chicken liver pate.

Score: 3:1 home win.

Overall: Nice but pricey, as Pinot inevitably is.   

Cloudy Bay 2006 Chardonnay

Cloudy Bay 2006 Chardonnay

The Dazmaz team recently visited the Cloudy Bay winery in the Marlborough region of New Zealand.  Their cellar release of the month was the 2006 Chardonnay which was fine by us.

Source: Winery direct.

Price: NZ$37.

Tasted: March 2014 (8 years).  

Colour: Pale straw.

Nose: Melon, hint of marmalade/orange peel.

Palate: Buttery, subtle oak, not much acid.

Length: medium with alcohol on after taste  (in a good way).

Food: We had crispy skin Marlborough king salmon.

Score: 2:0 home win.

Overall: Quite lovely.

We had a second bottle a week later with a Tyrell's 2006 VAT 47 Hunter Valley Chardonnay.  The colour in the glass was identical and the nose very similar.  The palate of the VAT 47 was more stringent, and the higher acidity might suggest a longer shelf life.  I'd be happy to drink either any time.

How we rate the wines

How we rate the wines

We at Dazmaz utilise the West Ham United system of wine criticism. Dating as far back as last Tuesday, the system compares the overall pleasure derived from drinking the wines, to the equivalent joy felt by a fan of West Ham United from their latest result. Hence a 3:0 home win is better than a 1:0 home win, but not quite as good as a 3:0 away win. It's totally subjective and, much like following West Ham, a labour of love. Comments and praise are more than welcome.