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The long awaited shipment of Southern Eclipse is here and in the stores. These are wines from winemaker Michelle Richardson. Michelle Richardson’s degree is in Microbiology. After working as a flying winemaker, Michelle joined the Villa Maria Winery in 1992 and quickly progressed to become Villa Maria’s Auckland Winemaker in 1994. Her talent and experience helped her achieve an enormous responsibility by winning the job of chief winemaker for the entire Villa Maria group. Villa Maria is the largest independently owned wine group in New Zealand. After leaving Villa for a brief stint at Peregrine Wines in Central Otago, Michelle decided to venture out on her own.
Michelle’s achievements include being named Winemaker of the Show at the New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Show in 1997, 1998 and 2000, and she gained the title of ‘New Zealand Winemaker of the Year’ at the Australian Winestate Awards in 1998, 1999 and 2000.There is a string that runs through her wines, they all have a purity of expression, possess a sense of place with persistent, complex and long flavors in the mouth.
Michelle’s achievements include being named Winemaker of the Show at the New Zealand Wine Society Royal Easter Show in 1997, 1998 and 2000, and she gained the title of ‘New Zealand Winemaker of the Year’ at the Australian Winestate Awards in 1998, 1999 and 2000.There is a string that runs through her wines, they all have a purity of expression, possess a sense of place with persistent, complex and long flavors in the mouth.
I had the opportunity to spend a few days with her in 06. Michelle made a comment that really stood out to me that she did not wish to make automated wines. Michelle prefers to touch the grapes as they come in, feel the texture of the grape must and be in contact with the wine from its initial stage of fermentation through its final state before bottling. When you try these wines you will see what she means. The wines all have a beautiful texture and serious flavors that bring one back for the next sip."The foundation of my winemaking career has been making wines from various vineyards sites here and overseas. This gave me a first hand insight to how important it is to choose the right variety to that particular region and vineyard site. When it came to making wine under my own brand I wanted to make the best I could from the region I thought the variety suited. I could have chosen one region and made the wines that best suited that area but I love too many varieties and they don't all like growing in the same place.” Michelle Richardson
Wine Warehouse has just received two releases from Michelle from the 2006 vintage. ‘2006 saw uncannily good weather as this years harvest progressed with amazingly good grace. It allowed me to get to my various vineyards around the country without any difficulties and make decisions at a leisurely pace. However, I am used to making quick assessments under pressure and relying on a gut feeling. The extra time to think initially caused me to second guess my judgments. It was an interesting observation and I decided early on that I needed to stick to my first decision. I factored in this extra 'mind time' by getting out and doing more hand-plunging of my various Pinot Noir ferments, a very physical but also a very meditative activity - a slight disclaimer is necessary - these ferments were a very manageable 3 ton size.’ Michelle Richardson
The wine is an exciting new project called Southern Eclipse. Southern Eclipse wines are created from grapes governed by the southern skies. Under an ever-changing moon and NZ’s four constant Southern Cross stars, this wine captures the essence from the land of New Zealand. The initial Southern Eclipse release was the 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Michelle did a custom crush for Wine Warehouse from a different vineyard than the one who supplies the grapes for her Richardson ‘Marlborough’ Sauvignon Blanc.
The wine is an exciting new project called Southern Eclipse. Southern Eclipse wines are created from grapes governed by the southern skies. Under an ever-changing moon and NZ’s four constant Southern Cross stars, this wine captures the essence from the land of New Zealand. The initial Southern Eclipse release was the 2006 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. Michelle did a custom crush for Wine Warehouse from a different vineyard than the one who supplies the grapes for her Richardson ‘Marlborough’ Sauvignon Blanc.
This cuvee is cool-fermented exclusively in stainless steel for primary fruit expression on both the bouquet and on the palate.Southern Eclipse SB shows fresh tropical fruit aromas with green apple, gooseberry and grapefruit with a hint of passion fruit flavors on the palate. There is a nice crisp zing to the finish. This is an extremely refreshing wine that is here just in time as we head towards our summer weather. This wine is Marlborough meeting Sancerre, not running over it.
Southern Eclipse Sauvignon Blanc ‘Marlborough’ 2006, Retail $17.99 Warehouse $12.99
With Pinot Noir being one of the hottest categories in our stores, we felt that a Southern Eclipse Pinot was a must. New Zealand Pinot Noir from the south island and in this case Marlborough most resembles a fine example from Oregon. Texturally this wine lies somewhere between Burgundy and California as there is more overt raspberry scented fruit than one typically finds in Burgundy’s Pinot Noirs. We are very happy with the Southern Eclipse Pinot Noir. As usual these wines were shipped on a refrigerated container to maintain its character and freshness.
The Pinot Noir was hand picked, hand plunged and naturally fermented in open-top vats. The wine spent 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine has a soft raspberry and flowery bouquet which leads to a seamless black raspberry flavor with a hint of tasty new French oak. The finish is long and silky. This is a beautiful wine that can benefit from twenty minutes in the fridge before pouring.
Southern Eclipse Pinot Noir ‘Marlborough’ 2006, Retail $24.99 Warehouse $19.99
With Pinot Noir being one of the hottest categories in our stores, we felt that a Southern Eclipse Pinot was a must. New Zealand Pinot Noir from the south island and in this case Marlborough most resembles a fine example from Oregon. Texturally this wine lies somewhere between Burgundy and California as there is more overt raspberry scented fruit than one typically finds in Burgundy’s Pinot Noirs. We are very happy with the Southern Eclipse Pinot Noir. As usual these wines were shipped on a refrigerated container to maintain its character and freshness.
The Pinot Noir was hand picked, hand plunged and naturally fermented in open-top vats. The wine spent 10 months in French oak barrels. The wine has a soft raspberry and flowery bouquet which leads to a seamless black raspberry flavor with a hint of tasty new French oak. The finish is long and silky. This is a beautiful wine that can benefit from twenty minutes in the fridge before pouring.
Southern Eclipse Pinot Noir ‘Marlborough’ 2006, Retail $24.99 Warehouse $19.99
