Based on these tastings, 2000 must have been a great vintage for the eastern coast of NZ’s South Island. Here’s another top-notch Chard, this one loaded with buttered, toasted whole-wheat bread and vanilla custard, spiked with tropical fruit and citrus. It’s rich but not heavy, with a finely etched finish and ample structure.
— J.C.
(7/1/2002)
A plump, round Riesling with honeyed pineapple aromas, Muddy Water’s James Hardwick is made from nonbotrytized fruit so it retains a wonderfully clear citrus character. Melon and pineapple flavors give it some fat, but the long finish is dominated by peals of lime-ridden fruit.
— J.C.
(9/1/2007)
Muddy Water’s 2007 James Hardwick Riesling is made in a ripe, off-dry style, marrying high (for Riesling) alcohol of 13% with considerable residual sugar (16 g/l). The result is a medium-bodied wine combining subtle mineral and lime shadings and lingering sweetness balanced by tart acids.
— J.C.
(9/1/2009)
Toasty, but backed up by solid black-cherry fruit that fills the mouth with a touch of creaminess. The dark fruit flavors persist well into the finish where they are joined by a hint of mint and smoke.
— J.C.
(5/1/2001)
Crisp and relatively high in acidity, but that’s partially offset by soft, supple tannins. Tangy cherry flavors pick up meaty, leathery nuances. Imported by Downunder Imports, LLS.
— J.C.
(12/1/2005)