Stonyridge / New World Bordeaux Blend
December 21, 2024
Post by Mick
Waiheke Island Cabernet blends are fast becoming the standard by which New World Bordeaux style excellence is measured. ⠀
Stonyridge have been producing world class wine here since 1985 (longer that just about everyone). Their flagship cuvee 'Larose' has long been one of New Zealand's most iconic wines. In fact, the 1987 vintage was hailed as the greatest red wine ever produced in New Zealand.⠀During an interesting conversation with Stonyridge owner Stephen White recently regarding the 2005 Larose I had tasted earlier that week, I commented on how I (and several others present) had actually preferred the Larose over some of the great wines from Bordeaux we had tasted (blind) along side it. In a most humble response, he politely thanked me, then made a point of promptly acknowledging his upmost respect for the Bordeaux region and its wine, insisting that he still regarded it the benchmark for this style, worldwide - An admirable approach from the guy who practically revolutionised New World Bordeaux inspired wines in NZ. ⠀
Of course he's probably right. With New Zealand's limited wine history it's difficult to compete with centuries of international acclaim. Nevertheless, wines like the Larose from Stonyridge and numerous other examples from this wee island east of Auckland are beginning to make an extremely compelling argument to the contrary..⠀
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