Allan Scott’s Central Otago ‘Scott Base’ vineyard is undertaking an important fundraising drive to save Sir Edmund Hillary’s iconic hut at Scott Base, Ross Island. “Expedition South”, coordinated by the Antarctic Heritage Trust, will see three Massey Ferguson’s travel 2012 kilometres acros the country (the same distance covered by Sir Ed and his team when he led the first expedition to the South Pole in 1958 by tractor.
The vineyard’s relationship with the Antarctic Heritage Trust came about after the Scott family began referring to their second vineyard in Cromwell as ‘Scott Base’. “We’ve always had a deep love for Otago and the Cromwell vineyard was essentially our ‘base’ for family holidays and special occasions. But with such an obvious link to Sir Ed’s legacy, we wanted to give something back” says founder and head of the winemaking family Allan Scott. A cash contribution from every bottle of Scott Base wine poured goes into preserving the historic hut and its remote environment.
The Scott family have also been busy putting another range of wine together to celebrate the fact that for the first time since Allan and wife Catherine first planted vines in Marlborough back in 1975, there’ll be a changing of guard, a shift at the helm so to speak. Allan and Catherine have set seats up at the grown-ups table for three of their children, Josh, Sara and Victoria, to share the load and help lead the company into the future. The kids are also now on the roster to take turns at replenishing the smoko room biscuit jar and it’s written in their contracts to make more of a defensive effort during their staff social indoor netball matches. Son Josh leads the winemaking and viticulturists teams and is considered the company innovations guru. Daughter Sara now takes responsibility for company administration and HR, while elder daughter Victoria delivers as Sales and Marketing Director.
One of the first things these siblings have opted to do is launch a premium selection of wines dubbed ‘Generations’. The varietals are single-vineyard sourced and created from the best grapes produced on the Scott’s estate – and they’ll also only be produced in limited quantities and only when the fruit is exceptionally good. Josh believes the conditions are perfect to introduce “Generations” as all three Scott children are heavily involved in taking the label to its next iteration. “Not only are we now cementing our place in the business, but some of our older children are now getting involved. I hope that one day the baton will then be passed on to our grandchildren too,” he says.
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Scott Base Central Otago Pinot Noir 2015 $38 ★★★★
Here’s an ultra luscious, cherry-soaked pinot that has instantly appealing rosehip, spice and sweet tea perfume followed by a fresh, tangy kick of redcurrant, plum and prickly-soft tannins. The finish is clean and satisfying and seriously fruity; it’s an outstanding accompaniment to slow-braised Moroccan lamb shanks
www.allanscott.com
Allan Scott Generations Dry Riesling 2015 $26 ★★★★
Brand new off the coat rack is the new ‘Generations’ range for the Allan Scott family – who are employed across all capacities of the company. The thing I love about this riesling is that it’s bony and beautiful – skeletal but sensational shall we say. The ‘Twiggy’ of wines if we stretch this out. But just because it lacks sweetness doesn’t mean it lacks substance – oh no. This toothy, tongue-teasing riesling happily holds its own with chicken, roast grapes and shallots.
www.allanscott.com
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Mix things up this week with a trio of superb sips from the north, the deep south and climes afar…
Byrne Puketotara Northland Chardonnay 2015 $29 ★★★★
Right about now if you’re a chardonnay fan, you’ll be all about talent-spotting. Who are the ones to watch? Well, Ben Byrne up in the Bay of Islands is definitely a bit of a wunderkind when it comes to crafting chardonnays brimming with buttered crumpet, spicy roast peach and caramelised oak characters. He’s captured the vibrancy and cleansing acidity of the freshly harvested fruit and expertly steered it into the bottle. Sip with grilled sesame and ginger salmon.
Jasci & Marchesani Montepulciano d’Abruzzo Biologico 2014 $20 ★★★★
For the last 30 years this estate has been run organically and while this wine is predominantly montepulciano, there could be a sneaky 15% sangiovese in there too. I love how this wine has that sweet, sweaty smell of just-galloped horses, saddle leather and spice. Underneath that initial wave of savoury is some seriously fresh berry and fresh, spiced cherry and chocolate layers which cloak those earthy, meaty first impressions. Pour a glass with Tuscan sausages and beans.
Domain Road The Water Race Central Otago Dry Riesling 2014 $25 ★★★★1/2
Great dry riesling should have an immediate flinty, limey, green apple impact on the nose and a tidal wave of crunchy, zesty acidity and lemony citrus elements. Graeme and Gillian Crosbie also produce award winning sauvignon blanc and pinot noir – but it’s this riesling that makes me wring my hands with glee every time it’s released. Bony and beautiful, it’s like a bottled version of the Bannockburn landscape. Sip with a wedge of cumin seed gouda.
www.domainroad.co.nz
