Auckland Offline - Sun May 22nd 2011 - Puriri Hills

[Craig(NZ)]

An open invite to all forumites:

I spoke today to Judy at Puriri Hills. Although an official release for the 2008's seems still a while away, she is quietly selling ex winery to those interested folk who are likely to cellar the wines. She still feels "they need time" though I know this was not a criticism of ours at the last offline we had! The 2008 Pope was for most of us among the best red wines we have ever tasted from NZ

Anyway we have three dates which I will float with you all now. I will then look to firm one of them up in about a weeks time based on feedback from you folk and feedback from a few other people outside this forum who I am also inviting - Cliff and Fiona I know some of you have met at the 1998's evening at La Bocca and the Terraces tasting.

Details:

Venue: Puriri Hills Vineyard, Clevedon up at Judy's beautiful house overlooking the vineyards and gulf
Dates: Either Sunday May 15th, 22nd or 29th - Now confirmed Sunday May 22nd
Time: It will be a Sunday afternoon (made this exec decision to save 50 posts...gets around saturday sport and saturday night social commitments and for those who wanna go to church you can go in the morning), either a late lunch or afternoon tea format. Probably a 1pm start going through to 4ish
Cost: $40 per head
Wines: 2008 Estate, 2008 Reserve, 2008 Pope. Also another wine or two or three including either/and back vintages or a sneak peak at the 2009's which were bottled yesterday (I tried the 09 reserve today very good!)
Food: There will be some wine friendly food served, ideas from Judy included a special mushroom soup, lamb, antipasto, cheese and the like. I am sure we won't be disappointed.

Obviously Judy will talk us through the wines, vineyard, history, future, whatever. If we are so inclined she is happy to tour us through the winery/ vineyard. Exact format of the tasting will depend on numbers but probably seated unless we have huge interest. Obviously also there will be an opportunity to buy these wines pre official release.

Let me know if you would like a place and if any of the above dates don't suit

Regards


C

[Curt]

Hi Craig, the 22nd gets my vote ... can I invite friends ? Cheers, Curt

[Craig(NZ)]

Curt, yip the more the merrier!! As long as they are genuine wine fans and drinkers and not pub crawlers it is all good by me!!

Once we settle on a date we can settle on numbers. The only thing this will dictate really within reason is the format. If we have more than a dozen I would say it will turn ut being a less formal tasting. Personally I dont care either way

[jafa]

Yes please. PM despatched..........................

[Craig(NZ)]

I have another 2 who can come if we make it the 29th. Germany is a bit far to travel from for them on the other dates. Curt is 22nd just a "preference" or can you not make it the other dates?

jafa joins mel and me on the list of folk that can make any of the 3 dates.

peter? mike? sue? you guys lurking?

i have a couple of others i wil invite after we set a date to avoid complications

[Peter NZ]

I should be able to do the 29th (am overseas at the moment for work & therefore away from home for 3 weekends. But 2 months from now should be long enough to get away with another w/e away from home ... )

[Curt]

22nd is free at this stage - the other 2 w/ends are probably not but I can always visit myself another time easily enough

[Craig(NZ)]

I have another 2-3 keen. Think they are available any of the weekends. Looks like either 22nd or 29th will be the dates tbc. Wait a few more days see if Mike/ and others reply and then will set a date. Will follow up with my 29th people and see how many of them can make 22nd

Would definitely prefer it if you could come Curt!! As such will work to make it 22nd if poss

C

[Bick]

Hi - it all sounds good, Craig. I'm just negotiating a pink-slip for the day from my better half - will confirm in next day or so. Any date probably ok for me.

[Craig(NZ)]

if you can make 22nd Mike, we go for that option, we will set the date, book in with Judy and if any others wanna join on that date all good, we can finalise numbers a couple of weeks out but will give her indicative numbers when we lock the date in

would be good to have all the cult wine night folk there!

oh shite...i just read Peters post!!

Curt/ Peter can either of you budge your dates???

[Peter NZ]

Yep, I should be able to do the 22nd ... the last in a decent line-up of winery visits we've got lined up over the next few weeks ... Craggy Range's open day next Sat (not sure why I got an invite to it, as I think I've only bought direct from them once, but an impressive looking day), Esk Valley for a Terraces tasting & Felton Road at Easter ...

Cheers
Peter

[Craig(NZ)]

Nice 22nd it is then
I will let Judy know and we can finalise numbers closer to the time

Should be at this stage (others can join)

Craig
Mel
Curt
Jafa
Mike
Peter
Cliff
Pam
Sean
Craig no2
Curts Friend/s

so around a dozen of us which is what I thought, let me know if you are bringing partners though we can firm that all up closer to the date

[Craig(NZ)]

All booked in and confirmed with Judy
1pm 22nd May

Will look to finalise numbers a couple of weeks out

[jafa]

... the last in a decent line-up of winery visits we've got lined up over the next few weeks ... Esk Valley for a Terraces tasting ...
Cheers Peter

I got an invite to an Terraces tasting but, due to couple of reasons, was unable to take it up.
Interested in the results however, assuming it happened this past weekend (which was the
timing for the event I was invited to.........).
So, got some notes you'd care to share??

cheers jafa

[Peter NZ]

Yep, actually responded yesterday in some detail, hit 'submit', & it disappeared ... so here I go again, but probably in a little less detail:

- 1st observation was that it was (yet another) object lesson in bottle variation across older vintages

- tasted 3 wines that we didn't try at our Terraces offline last year -- '91, '92 & '09

- '91 & '92 surprisingly primary, both in appearance & taste, especially considering vines were only 2 - 3 years old at the time.

- '94 older, but still noticeably fresher than the one we tasted at the Terraces offline, & favourite for the day of probably 20% of participants on the show of hands at the end

- '95 similar to the one we tried & probably my WOTD

- '98 a disappointment -- Gordon Russell suggested there was perhaps a slight hint of cork taint, & noted that it wasn't showing to its usual standard -- not a bad wine, but a let-down after the last one we tried

- '00 again similar to the offline bottle &, interestingly, GR commented that this is the vintage he opens for visiting English wine writers -- not a show pony, but closest in style to the clarets they're used to.

- '09 very primary of course, but plenty of everything you'd look for -- intensity, fruit & structure.

A wet day, so didn't get the vineyard tour that'd been planned, but did get a good look through the winery, including the '11 Terraces in the concrete fermentation tanks 2 days after harvest.

Cheers
Peter

[Craig(NZ)]

Below list for my benefit more than anything. 3 weeks out now. I will need to confirm numbers a week out so in 2 weeks time. (final rsvp fr 13th)

Let me know guys if anything that relates to you is not in the right spot. Looks like we could end up between 10 and 20 people.

Definite:
1. Craig
2. Jafa
3. Mike
4. Peter
5. Cliff
6. Pam
7. Sean
8. Chris
9. Jo
10. Elle
11. Fiona
12. Curt
13. Kay
14. Al
15 Everlyn

Probable:
Ross
Andy

Possible:
Craig C
Mel

[Curt]

Hi Craig, 2 friends are definite... have not mentioned it to another 2 (who would be definite) because I thought you wanted to keep the numbers down ???

[Craig(NZ)]

Curt. I will drop a line to Judy re max numbers. I wasn't expecting 20, I kind of indicated 12 was my guestimate but I think she wasn't too concerned with a few more - my memory is fading but I think she said 20 (tbc). Will let you know. I will just ask her for a max number and once that is filled via the definite list the places close off.

I think with enough notice she can cater a good crowd, her place is huge and would be good business for her at a perfect target audience

Has a lot of interest this one!

[Craig(NZ)]

ok further details

1. 20 is the max. First in First served. After 20 definites we close the book, so curt feel free to invite any genuine wino friends
2. Wines will be 2008 Estate, 2008 Reserve, 2008 Pope, 2006 Reserve
3. A winery tour will be included as there "is plenty happening this time of year and it will be interesting" Judy says
4. Food is sets of finger food with each wine, not really "lunch" so have some lunch before you come.

Cheers



C

[Curt]

Hi, 2 more friends now confirmed.... Jo & Elle who some of you met at La Bucca at our 1st off-line and Al & Evelyn. Cheers

[Craig(NZ)]

Updated 10/5.

I don't think a single person I have personally invited who has tried Puriri Hills Pope before has said "no" to this tasting. Looks like we are going to be pretty close to a sell out for this which is awesome to see!

Definite:
1. Craig
2. Jafa
3. Mike
4. Peter
5. Cliff
6. Pam
7. Sean
8. Jo
9. Elle
10. Fiona
11. Curt
12. Kay
13. Al
14. Everlyn
15. Ross
16. Craig C
17 Samantha C
18. Mark
19. Cath

Probable:
Andy
Chris

[Curt]

two more confirmed : Mark & Cath

[Craig(NZ)]

Sell out coming up me feels! That is a good whack of people. Should be a very worthwhile exercise for Judy as well as us

[Craig(NZ)]

I have EMailed Judy with final numbers this morning 19. List as per above

For those for who it suits, and where it fits in with your personal plans, all are welcome to use my place as a staging point if anyone is interested to reduce the number of cars heading out to Clevedon and can even have a very casual bite before we leave. Surplus cars can be left here and picked up on return. Could be a good idea, as there isn't really wet ground parking for 20 cars out there! I think also we may have one or two non participating "drivers" available from here for those planning for multiple revisits of wines .

For those wanting to make their way there under there own steam and make a day of it, Clevedon has a food market on Sunday morning and there are a few cafes around the township. Worth a wander around if you haven't been out that way much. There is also Maraetai Beach and Duders Regional Park close by.

Getting to Puriri Hills is easy. It is on North Road which is the main road that runs between Clevedon and Maraetai. It is on the left about 4km out of Clevedon

23 Posts! Man we are slack, not even on to the 2nd page and its already all nailed down

[Peter NZ]

I have EMailed Judy with final numbers this morning 19. List as per above

For those for who it suits, and where it fits in with your personal plans, all are welcome to use my place as a staging point if anyone is interested to reduce the number of cars heading out to Clevedon and can even have a very casual bite before we leave. Surplus cars can be left here and picked up on return. Could be a good idea, as there isn't really wet ground parking for 20 cars out there! I think also we may have one or two non participating "drivers" available from here for those planning for multiple revisits of wines .

For those wanting to make their way there under there own steam and make a day of it, Clevedon has a food market on Sunday morning and there are a few cafes around the township. Worth a wander around if you haven't been out that way much. There is also Maraetai Beach and Duders Regional Park close by.

Getting to Puriri Hills is easy. It is on North Road which is the main road that runs between Clevedon and Maraetai. It is on the left about 4km out of Clevedon

23 Posts! Man we are slack, not even on to the 2nd page and its already all nailed down

Very much appreciate if anyone's able to offer me a ride from CBD (or from somewhere easy to get to from there) -- alternatatively I'll get your input on public transport options to your place Craig.

Cheers
Peter

[Craig(NZ)]

Peter

I can definitely pick you up from a train station if no better offer comes along. You could easily train from Auckland to Sylvia Park and I could pick you up from there. Return trip I am sure one of the guys heading out that way could do the same in reverse or drop you in the city. Ross is coming from out west, I am sure he wouldnt mind at the very least dropping you in the city on his way home.

I could pick you up mid/late morning and you can lunch with us

All I hope is that we get a glass of Pope before the world ends on Sunday (NZ time). You might not need a trip home Pete. It sounds pretty impressive and what better way to watch the end of the world than with a saintly glass of pope in hand??

http://www.businessinsider.com/world-ends-may-21-2011-5

[TiggerK]

Well big surprise, the world is still here, and I'm so jealous and looking forward to hearing how this went.. notes etc...!

Cheers
Tim

P.S So the world was going to end in USA timezone??

[Craig(NZ)]

I didn't take notes, just enjoyed the occassion. Was a lovely Auckland day sunny and warm with no wind. Great place for an afternoon. Alan wrote notes so he can do the honours this time.

Judy put on some tapa style food match examples with 06 Reserve, 08 Estate, 08 Reserve and 08 Pope

The 08's all showed very well. The 06 was a bit muddled today. The Pope not as flamboyant as last time we had it but still very smart. The Reserve looking more the wine to cellar. The new prices are probably $10 a bottle too high when comparing against its peers (Awatea, Coleraine, and the likes of Terraces/SRL/ Montana Tom)

However this is a winery I like and do buy anyway just not in the quantities I once did. Walked away after dishing out for a magnum of the 08 Reserve to add to the bottles already purchased

[SueNZ]

Hmmm - so no further reports, no TN's. What does this mean?

[Craig(NZ)]

Probably means we are still recovering from the floggings we received when the wife checked the credit card. Alan? Peter?

For me to expand, the 06 Reserve I have found recently has really come into its own and is a lovely classy wine. For some reason at the tasting it just didn't show as well as I expected. Still very good but was missing the "wow" or x factor.

The 08 Estate showed so so well. Beautifully stylish, understated and balanced. I really liked it. Comments re the quality for what is a 3rd tier wine in a single estate small vineyard flowed here. It is very very impressive. The only thing for me is $45 was a bit steep if comparing right across the market. Perhaps the speed at which she sold out of 05 Estate is playing on her mind here and I know she believes in pricing depending on vintage quality. However, for me a 07 Awatea is comparitively a better option if you are comparing qpr at supermarket prices. Best Estate made without a question - not as sensual as the 05 but far more exact and precise.

The 08 Reserve showed better than the other two times I have tasted it. Showed great structure, balance, class and those fine slippery tannins. A great wine to cellar and pull out to go next to a coleraine. Still coming together and perhaps the least integrated at this stage of the three 08's. As with every Reserve made patience - much patience required. This could shutdown for two or three years - has that feel to it. Better qpr than the Pope even at $80 odd or whatever it is now

The 08 Pope didn't quite show as well as it did at the cults night. It didnt show the Terraces like opulence it did on that occasion - but it was on a hiding to nothing, it could hardly show better. Still a very exciting wine..more sensual than the Reserve. Again very finely boned, stylish and elegant. It also just shone so so well with food really lifting and complimenting the food the wine and the wine the food. It is expensive though $140! But man open a bottle and have it sing like it did last December and your money is well spent. If occasionally you buy a wine without qpr front of mind this is as good as any to consider.