Seresin Estate, Bedford Road, Renwick, Marlborough, New Zealand
Phone: (03) 572 9408 Fax: (03) 572 9850
Email: seresin@xtra.co.nz
Website: www.seresin.co.nz
UK agent: John Armit Wines
[Editor's note: for a more recent report on these wines, see this
page]
Seresin is a relatively new (established 1992) Marlborough-based
producer making premium-level wines. Owned by film-maker Micheal
Seresin, the estate covers some 60 hectares, and is run along organic
lines. First vintage was 1996, and wines are made solely from
estate-grown grapes. Some 15 000 cases are produced annually. I was
struck by these wines: they all show a great deal of freshness and
purity, not relying solely on a blast of upfront fruit to make their
impression. There's concentration here, but not 'power' of flavour. Retail prices befit the obvious ambitions of this producer -- in the
£10 - £15 range. Look our for the trendy 'handprint' logo on the
bottles, too.
Wines tasted June 2002
Pinot Gris 2001
Very pure, intense nose is fresh and citrussy with some spicy richness
on the palate. Currently very youthful. A fresh style with high
acidity, but some richness lurking in the background. Very good+
Riesling 2001
Fresh, pure nose with limey, floral notes. Intense, high-acid palate
shows very juicy lime fruit and high acidity. Great concentration. An
intense, pure style. Very good/excellent
Sauvignon Blanc 2001
A super style. Alluring, fresh grassy nose is very restrained but
classy. Some rich grassy fruit on the palate with a high-acid edge. A
pure, complex wine. Very good/excellent
Chardonnay 1999
Herb-tinged fruit on the nose, which is quite intense and focused.
Palate shows some nutty richness and a good intensity of herbal fruit.
A tiny bit of tinned pea character? Very good+
Reserve Chardonnay 1999
Quite a deep yellow colour. There's a rich, smoky nuttiness to the
intense herbal fruit. Good concentration. Has an attractive nutty
intensity to the balanced palate. Very good/excellent