Wine columnist and connoisseur Dennis Knill gives his view on new releases from Linden Estate Winery.
Hawke’s Bay is one of our much-loved coastal areas and over time has developed into one of New Zealand’s most successful winegrowing regions, second only to Marlborough. Early on it was an orchardists’ and vegetable growers’ Garden of Eden before some pioneer wine producers arrived in the 19th century. Today there are more than 70 wineries and 40 cellar doors best known for their merlot, syrah, cabernet sauvignon blends, and chardonnay.
Out of all the wineries, Linden Estate stands out for its awarding-winning wines and regional cuisine. It was established in 1971 by Wim Van Der Linden, a civil engineer who arrived from Holland with a lifetime passion for winemaking and grapes, with the aid of Tom McDonald, a legend in his own right. Linden Estate was born with 12 hectares of palomino and reisling grapes.
The success that followed was extraordinary, enabling the winery to move into a progressive planting programme of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, and sauvignon blanc. Fifty years on, the range has expanded to pinot gris, gerwurztraminer, rose, albarino, late harvest, cabernet franc, pinotage, and port.
And if you’re planning to make a day of it, Valley d’ Vine, Linden’s restaurant, is open for lunch and dinner serving local contemporary produce not to be missed.
’19 Linden Destination Series chardonnay
RRP $40
An authentic expression of Esk Valley. Hand-harvested with underlying aromas of floral flavours from grapes absorbed in French oak barrels.
’20 Linden Destination Series cabernet sauvignon
RRP $65
Full in richness depth and intensity with soft plush dark berry fruit that makes this an easy drinking wine. Will cellar well.
’21 Linden sauvignon blanc
RRP $20
Fully flavoured with classic mouth-filling aromas powered with ripe fruit and a rich texture with tones of fresh citrus and persistent crispness. Keenly priced.
’21 Linden pinot gris
RRP $20
Ripe and crisp on the palate the concentration of fruit laced with dryness and loads of texture and flavour gives this wine great balance. Good buying at this price.
’21 Linden gerwurztraminer
RRP $20
Displays style and balance this rich and spicy wine is characterised with lots of up-front fresh fruit that leaps out of the glass. Great value for money.
