The intense fruit is soaked into the very good, 100% new oak. Inky black in colour this indicates the power and density of the wine. A Bordeaux variety blend – 41% Cabernet Sauvignon, 39% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Franc. The Basket Press is only made in good Cabernet Sauvignon vintages and is the pinnacle of Clearview reds (This is just the 8th release in 33 years). Tim also brought along the 2013 from his cellar to show…ĭeveloping nicely, with olde worlde, olive/umami savoury characters emerging. This is due for release in a month or so. The wine also has a savoury olive tapenade character with soft yet solid tannins. Obviously younger tasting than the 2013 with more dark fruit flavours. Merlot dominant with Malbec and some Cabernet Franc. Along with the plush fruit there is a savouriness with fine oak and a liveliness that adds to the palate weight. Hand picked fruit, foot trodden with 100% whole bunch fermentation. Like the Merlot this is also made to enjoy as a young wine with mulberry, warm spice, and a delicious juicy approachability.Ī noticeable step up here. Softly textured and easy.Ī youthful purple colour in the glass and the fruit aromas just jump from the glass. Dark, ripe fruited wine that has juicy plum with a touch of chocolate. Predominately Merlot with a small amount of Malbec. A superb Chardonnay drinking really well and if you have some in your cellar, be very happy to know it still has many years of life ahead. This wine won the “Champion Wine of the Show’ at the NZIWS 2016.
There’s just a tiny hint of ‘funk’, but this has loads of fruit, oak complexity, creaminess on a harmonious full bodied palate.Īs a comparison Tim showed the 2015 Reserve Chardonnay.
Using only the purest first free run juice, wild fermented and aged in puncheons. From the original 33 year old Mendoza vines. This fills all the expectations of a classic Hawkes Bay Chardonnay – creamy, caramel, vanilla spiced, cashew nut, nectarine flavours. Tim reckons that it is the mix of soils that gives Clearview Chardonnays that something extra.
The Clearview vineyard lies on an ancient uplifted beach, hence the name. Full of flavour – pear and spice – in a ripe fruited, drier textural style. Tim is a ‘character’ full of passion and tales.Įven better than the Trophy winning 2018? As Tim says, this wine just goes “Boom!”. Tonight Tim included a few treats – the 2015 Trophy winning Reserve Chardonnay and 2013 Enigma from his cellar as well as a couple of pre-release reds.Īs always Tim was an enthusiastic and colourful presenter. The reds are probably the ‘hidden treasures’ and with previous winemaker Barry Riwai and now Matt Kirby there have been big strides in the quality of the Clearview reds. Whist the Chardonnays are best known, the Clearview range of wines is quite large (around 13 varieties and 25+ wines). Today the winery and vineyards have expanded and Tim told us the 2019 vintage was their largest ever with 300 tonnes. The wines, led by the Chardonnays, have become favourites and the restaurant is also a favourite Hawkes Bay destination. The first vintages yielded around 3 tonnes of fruit.
Tim started with plenty of enthusiasm and a good kiwi number 8 wire, do it yourself approach, including teaching himself winemaking. Tim Turvey purchased 20 ha of land at Te Awanga on the Hawkes Bay coast in 1986 for $76,000 and set about establishing a vineyard, winery and restaurant along with partner Helma van den Berg.