Stonyridge ‘Larose’ - not one, but three: 21 June 2024.
The first vines were planted at Stonyridge by Stephen White, family & friends in 1982, along with the olive grove that now gives much welcomed dappled shade to visitors on sunny days. It was the 1987 Stonyridge ‘Larose’ that was hailed at the time by those in the know as the one of greatest wines made in New Zealand and influential in showcasing the quality and potential of New Zealand wine to the world.
The success of the 1987 ‘Larose’ was vindication to Steve's foresight and commitment to making the finest wine. Stonyridge ‘Larose’ is considered to be one of the most sort after and collectable wines in world, with a well-scribed character and lineage to age gracefully for 20+ years. The Stonyridge ‘Larose’ cuvée is genuinely a true wine icon. And on a number of occasions has stood confidently Bordeaux shoulder-to-shoulder and even placed ahead of the more renowned wines from: Château Latour, Château Mouton Rothschild and Château Lafite Rothschild in a number of famous blind tastings.
Steve & Martin Pickering *(Head Winemaker) - who I had the pleasure to recently spend time with sampling barrels in the cellar, have crafted not one, but three outstanding vintages, sourced from vineyards grown on the island. The following three wines are definitely worth sharing, but if you have any patience what-so-ever, I encourage you to refrain from opening for at least a decade, to understand why these wines are so highly regarded. And if possible, two decades to taste wine nirvana. I promise your taste-buds will thank you.
*(At date of posting, these wines were still available at the winery & online at select locations worldwide, go on treat yourself, you are worth it).
Stonyridge ‘Larose’ 2020 : 5 Stars ★★★★★
Grape Varietals: 51% Cabernet Sauvignon, 24% Merlot, 14% Petit Verdot, 7% Cabernet Franc, 3.5% Malbec & 0.5% Carménère
Growing Region: Waiheke Island - New Zealand
Winemakers: Stephen White & Martin Pickering
The fruit was hand-harvested & hand-plunged regularly during fermentation. Then basket pressed into barrels, with 60% being new French oak, where it developed for 11 months before tasting, blending of this cuvée and bottling under cork.
★ On the nose dark plums, mixed forest berries, dried herbs, mocha and a deft tobacco note. The palate has an assured elegance, with a finely-tailored structure. A coveted mix of berry fruits, wrapped in refined tannins and fine grain oak, with a meandering seam of natural fruit acidity. An extraordinary expression of harmony & balance, perfectly showcasing a generous textural palate, an elegant intensity of berry flavours supported by a precise structure expressing a most charismatic wine with a memorable imprint on the senses. ‘Something Special’
• Decanting : Serve 17°- 18°C : 14.3% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 16 - 18 years : *NZ$499.00 *(Limited)
Stonyridge ‘Larose’ 2021 : 5 Stars ★★★★★
Grape Varietals: 53% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, 12% Petit Verdot, 10% Cabernet Franc, 4% Malbec & 1% Carménère
Growing Region: Waiheke Island - New Zealand
Winemakers: Stephen White & Martin Pickering
100% hand-harvested fruit, hand-plunged regularly during fermentation. Then basket pressed into French barrels, with 60% being new oak, where it developed for 11 months before tasting, blending of this vintage and bottling under cork.
★ On the nose ripe plums, mixed small berries, dried herbs, violets and a deft cedar and cigar note. The extensive palate has a poised grace, with a finely-tuned structure. The intensity of the berry flavours are perfectly restrained by skilled tannins and tight grained oak, along with a its renowned kiss of natural fruit acidity. An impressive expression of art, science, understanding and passion has resulted in textural indulgence, with an imposing performance across a broad stage of structure, supporting a most enigmatic of wines with a captivating finish.
• Decanting : Serve 17°- 18°C : 14.5% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 16 - 20 years : *NZ$399.00
Stonyridge ‘Larose’ 2022 : 5 Stars ★★★★★
Grape Varietals: 55% Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% Merlot, 18% Petit Verdot, 5% Cabernet Franc, 0.6% Malbec & 0.4% Carménère
Growing Region: Waiheke Island - New Zealand
Winemakers: Stephen White & Martin Pickering
The hand-harvested fruit was regularly hand-plunged during vinification. Diligently basket pressed into French oak barrels, with 60% being new, where it developed for 11 months un-fined, and then filtered before bottling under cork.
★ On the inviting nose you have ripe plums, mixed berries, dried herbs, violets and a deft forest floor note. The palate has an engaging elegance, with those lavish berry fruits gift-wrapped in appropriate comparable tannins and vanilla oak, along with a detailed signature of fruit acidity. An opulent expression of mixed berries with a complex tapestry, and an elegant textural nuance, with a well-balanced intensity, resulting in a thoughtfully scribed character that is well-orchestrated, producing an impressive performance and grand finish.
• Decanting : Serve 17°- 18°C : 14.5% Alc. : Classic Dry Style : Cellaring 20 - 25 years : *NZ$399.00
*(Stonyridge ‘Larose’ vintage availability & pricing will vary by outlet & country - ‘very limited production’)