2023 SV Toru
$32.00
TORU – (which is “three” in Māori) is an aromatic blend we first created over 15 years ago and was the first of it’s kind in New Zealand. It is a delicious, co-fermented “field blend” of three varieties – Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. We are passionate about these classic Alsatian varieties and we spent a great deal of time coming up with the right proportions in the blend. We were aiming for a wine that displayed the essence of all three varieties, whilst creating a distinctive and interesting wine in its own right. It has the aromatic spice and weight of Gewürztraminer, the structure and length of Riesling, and the great texture of Pinot Gris.
Tasting Notes
This 2023 Toru has an intriguing nose with notes of mango, fresh citrus, white florals and exotic spices. These lead into a multi-layered palate with flavours of mango, citrus, red apple and lychee with a lingering spiciness. The palate has excellent fruit concentration and weight with lovely creamy texture, plus a mineral edge which gives it great length of flavour.
2023 SV Toru
95 Points Erin Larkin for Robert Parker The 2023 SV5182 Toru is a field blend of Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. Toru is the Maori word for “three.” The wine shows lychee, cut pear, green apple, lemon oil, beeswax and brine. Since 2007, the wine has been co-fermented, which is crucial to the final integration of the wine. The composition of the wine changes each year depending on the seasonal conditions, and this is done with consistency of style in mind. The wine is an excellent Alsatian-styled blend: it combines phenolic structure, acidic intensity and enveloping fruit. It’s all in balance and is very good indeed. There are six grams of residual sugar per liter.
93 Points Stephen Wong MW The Real Review – Wine of the Week This field blend of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer all comes from Anna and Jason Flowerday’s organic home vineyard in Renwick, next to their house. It is a well-kept secret and delivers oodles of drinkability by virtue of how it changes over time as each variety takes its turn in the limelight. Very well-priced for the quality. One to buy by the case and enjoy throughout the year.
Lifted perfumed aromatics of sweet herb, citrus blossom, apples, savoury complexity and underlying earthy minerality streaked through with a very primary estery sweetness. The palate is surprisingly weighty with progressively layered flavours of citrus and apple fruit, roses, savoury quinine phenolics and liquorice. Unquestionably concentrated but also refreshingly balanced, the acidity hits early on the palate before melting into the structure and fruit, finishing with just a sliver of off-dry honeyed richness. Happily poised part way between hedonistic and restrained, it is a chameleon of a wine which will be great with a wide variety of food.
95 Points Shanteh Wale, Wine Companion The hotly demanded Toru is made up of co-fermented gewürztraminer, riesling and pinot gris. It’s like a bouquet of spring flowers, wild thyme and apple blossom. Cut celery, lemon verbena and white nectarine. Juicy on the palate with a basket of fruit – pineapple, pears and mandarin. Expertly assembled together so that each varietal complements the other. It finishes with freshness of lime juice fireworks. Totally delicious and a joy of a wine.