MiNDFOOD Master Sommelier, Cameron Douglas, shares his tasting notes for the Tohu Whenua Mixed Case.
Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017, Upper Moutere, Nelson
Fine and quite intense bouquet with aromas of spicy French oak, cherries, fresh and dried roses, a silty mineral layer and a touch of salinity. On the palate – complex, fine, detailed and captivating with flavours that not only reflect the nose, but layer in soft baking spices, red apple skin and cherry. Fine chalky textured tannins, medium acidity, lengthy finish and complex. This is a wine that Pinto Noir drinkers like to discuss for its layers of subtlety and fruit descriptors, textures and best time to open and share the next bottle. Lovely wine with a fine lengthy finish. Best drinking from today and through 2027.
Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Pinot Noir 2017, Awatere Valley, Marlborough
Very attractive bouquet with a gentle savoury tease immediately followed by a burst of red fruit aromas – crushed red cherry and mangosteen berries, raspberry then red flowers. There’s a gentle wood spice layer with aromas of brown baking spice then bracken and drying leaves. On the palate – fruity, quite tense, fine chalky tannins, savoury and fresh. The texture is fine and quite smooth, a the core of the palate is fruit based with raspberry and dark cherry flavours dominating before the mangosteen berry flavour returns. Balanced, quite complex and ready. Best drinking from today and through 2024+.
Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Chardonnay 2017, Awatere Valley, Marlborough
Distinctive and familiar bouquet of fleshy yellow stone fruits, vanilla and sweet toasty oak. They all emerge at the same time with equal intensity, but the two that stick with me the most are the toasty peach aromas. There’s a decent power and intensity overall with a spice layer from the oak lingering. On the palate – full-bodied, rounded texture, youthful, fruity and dry on the finish. Flavours of yellow stone fruits, grapefruit peel, vanilla and a whisper of clove enhance the toasty wood layer. Fine tannins, medium acidity, balanced and well made. Drinking well now and through 2025.
Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Awatere Valley, Marlborough
Pungent and varietal, but not too intense – there’s a roundness to the bouquet driven by fresh herbs then citrus and apple, tropical fruit notes and a salty sea air note. On the palate – vibrant, fresh, buzzing with acidity and flavours of tropical fruit, lemon and pink grapefruit, lime zest and fresh green herbs. The finish s lengthy and full of flavour with a salty note – nice. Drinking well now and through 2024+.
Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Riesling 2018, Awatere Valley, Marlborough
Citrus and white flowers, sweet apricot and wet river stones, mandarin and lime-flower scents. Aromatic, exotic and captivating. On the palate – essentially dry, but there is a just the barest hint of sweetness – for balance only. Crisp and refreshing, flavours of apples and citrus, lime-flowers and white fleshed fruits; the finish is lime and green apple. A lovely wine in a aperitif style. Young too so cellar worthy if you’d like to add a wine that will age well. Best drinking from today through 2030.
