November 2018 / Torlesse Wines Newsletter

We have lots of news.

First bit of great news is Champion Gewurztraminer at the NZ Aromatics wine show and Champion Wine of the Show at the Canterbury Wine Awards. It will come as no great surprise that the wine is our 2014 Omihi Road Gewurztraminer. This wine is already a multi award winner. The secret to gewürztraminer is to give it a chance to age and develop not only distinctive fruit but a rich complex palate. A wonderful wine to compliment savoury cheese or spicy food. The normal newsletter price will be maintained at $17.50 despite the two Champion Wine trophies.

The next interesting bit of news is it looks like we have got through without any serious frost activity on the new season shoots. I hope I don’t jinx it.

Ben and Johanne, both work at the winery and have just returned from a stint in France. While in Bordeaux, I suggested they check out Chateau Petrus. Petrus are famous for making a varietal merlot which is unusual in Bordeaux. Ben sent back a photo of some of the bottles for sale, the cheapest was over a 1100 Euros. Admittedly these were older wines but our 2011 SVR Merlot also has some age. The good news is our Newsletter price is much friendlier and conducive to drinking it rather than admiring it in the cellar and too scared to open it.

We have some New Releases as well

The 2018 Torlesse Rose was awarded a bronze and a silver at the last 2 wine shows, hopefully it will go Gold at the next one. In any case it is perfect to drink over these next few months. Wonderful colour, fresh and fruity with a crisp finish. A stylish drop at a patio wine price and a steal at $15 a bottle.

Rose has become very trendy but Pinot Gris is also making inroads into the domination of Sauvignon Blanc in the white wine market. The 2017 Torlesse Pinot Gris has nuances of pears and honey comb, a generous middle palate finishing with a hint of sweetness, smooth and balanced.

The $14.50 price tag is also pretty smooth.

The other new release is a wine I am very happy with. The 2014 Cabernet Merlot has a rich cigar box aroma of a good Bordeaux, coupled with hints of raspberry and cassis on the aroma with a generous middle palate and a medium firm finish. Okay to drink now but can be cellared for a few more years. Get a case and do both. $15 per bottle makes it affordable drinking.

No longer new releases but getting better all the time.

The 2018 Torlesse Chardonnay

Probably the first wine you will try from the 2018 Vintage. Fresh peach and a hint of spicy oak. Clean crisp and fresh. Have it with fresh Oysters. A bargain at $14.50 per bottle

2016 Torlesse Riesling

Granny Smith apples, lime juice and citrus on the bouquet. Depth on the palate with ripe fruit and a hint of sweetness balanced by a crisp finish. Great to drink now but will live for another 5-10 years. Winemakers love Riesling for its purity and elegance plus the ability to age and reward cellaring. Try some and find out why. Great buy at $14.50

Food at the Winery

We have Platters and tasty light meals available for Lunch -mid afternoon. As this is a new venture for us we need bookings if food is required. Bookings or not you are always welcome to visit and try our wines.

We think our wines are the best value for money in the valley and we do have a great range that should cater for all tastes.

We are also operating under the Sale of Liquor Act. This requires me to make sure you are legally able to purchase alcohol[over 18 years] .

If you want to buy some wine, a reply to this offer will be taken as a declaration that you comply

DO NOT REPLY IF YOU DO NOT WANT TO BUY

The new label for our tried and true Port has not slowed sales. We are reluctantly becoming politically correct. As you may or may not know, to be called Port the wine should come from Oporto in Portugal so we are now calling our Port... 10 year Old Tawny.

Torlesse Port AKA 10 Year Old Tawny.

It is the perfect wine for heading out of Winter. You all know how good this is, you had better get some now. My normal price on the Old Tawny is now $35. Try and get a better 10 year old Tawny Port for a lower price. At $30 the 10 Old Tawny is excellent value.

Are you tired of drinking 1-2 year old Pinot Noirs, we have the answer. 2011 Omihi Road Pinot Noir was held back to allow this wine to show the virtues of bottle age. This wine is rich, savoury and complex. Our best special at $25 per bottle, this wine is usually a lot more. Grab some for yourself or a discerning friend.

2016 Torlesse Albarino is a great buy and it offers a different taste. Astute wine critic Yvonne Lorkin, has noted the potential of this wine and has included it in her WineFriend selections. Trophy at the Canterbury Wine Awards. Silver at the Bragato Awards. It has distinctive fruit coupled with a hint of sweetness but balanced by spicy oak from barrel fermentation and crisp acidity. Match with Paella. Mates rate of $14.50 per bottle. Much more at the cellar door

And now to our Omihi Road Reserve range of wines.

2011 Omihi Road SVR Merlot.

As mentioned above. It has great colour, a complex aroma that is just starting to show hints of cigar box and a firm palate that will soften with time. A more attractive price than Petrus, at $35 per bottle it is a serious wine at a modest price.

A VERY limited release, great drinking now but will cellar for years to come.

Now we need to consider another favourite.

Torlesse Creme de Cassis [Black Currant Liqueur].

You must get some of this. It is perfect in bubbles. Great in cocktails and desserts can move to another level with a suitable infusion of Cassis. Mix with soft drink to have a sensible but tasty lower alcohol spritzer. Newsletter Special at $27

If the petrol prices are hurting, we still have our Torlesse White Cap range

You will think you have opened the good stuff but it has only set you back a crazy

$12, $12, $12..only $12

This must be the best value for money deal going.

Share the news or wine with friends and get some quick.

2017 Chardonnay, 2015 Riesling and 2017 Sav Blanc, 2016 Pinot Gris

Throw in a 2014 White Cap Pinot Noir at $13 per bottle

$11 per case Freight will apply on all purchases.

The above are newsletter specials within New Zealand.

Please visit our website and choose your own combinations of any of our other wines not mentioned in the newsletter.

A freight charge will apply of $11 per casePlease find enclosed my cheque for $

OR please charge my Credit card

Please find enclosed my cheque for $

OR please charge my Credit card

DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS:

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PLEASE FAX ORDER TO: 03 3146867, or email to: winery@torlesse.co.nz 

On any email orders

If you DO NOT include credit card details for security reasons then please

DO include a phone number.

We will make contact by telephone and confirm order and payment details.

Mail orders with cheques can be sent to:

Torlesse Wines PO Box 25, Waipara. North Canterbury

We hope you have time to visit us at the winery. As always, Maggie and Kym Rayner, Johanne and Susan will do their best to personalise your visit and you know you will be talking to someone who is intimately involved in all the aspects of making our wines.