Allan Scott is a legend in Marlborough. He was right there at the beginning, in the late 1970s, when the first sauvignon blanc grapes were being planted in what has become New Zealand’s largest wine region and the place where some of the best wines in the country are being produced. I often see an Allan Scott van with grape vines painted all over it – you can’t miss it really, and I guess it provides an analogy for the wines from Allan Scott – they stand out.
Allan established the brand in 1990 - the Family Winery lies in the heart of Marlborough’s famed “golden mile” on Jacksons Road, between Rapaura and Old Renwick Roads. The well-tended vineyards are close to the family run ‘Twelve Trees’ Restaurant and Winery (the restaurant is named after the 12 walnut trees that used to grow close to the winery.
Family is a theme that pops up frequently with the Scotts – Allan and wife Catherine oversee the whole operation, their son Josh is winemaker, daughter Victoria is in charge of marketing and daughter Sara in charge of viticulture – making it pretty easy to have a company meeting over Sunday dinner.
The vineyards are planted on varying soil types, but in essence are gravel based, silty and semi-fertile. The homestead vineyard named ‘The Wallops’ was first established in 1985 to supply sauvignon blanc to another producer. Today the fruit is for Allan Scott wines. There is some chardonnay grown here as well, with the family nursery and grafting facility situated at this site.
Other vineyards in the Scott portfolio include the ‘The Hounds’ (acquired in 2004, but planted in 1982) for sauvignon blanc, riesling, pinot gris, pinot noir and merlot; ‘Omaka’ - an old section of the Omaka river - planted in 2000 with chardonnay, pinot gris and merlot. ‘The Moorlands’ was one of the first vineyards in Marlborough (1980) to be planted with riesling and today is also planted with sauvignon blanc and chardonnay.
They have also established a vineyard in Central Otago that is producing wine. Appropriately, given its position, it’s called ‘Scott Base’, and pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot gris are grown there.
As sustainably accredited wine growers in the process of a change to organic practices Allan Scott wines are focussed on the land they manage – they are committed to a long-term strategy.
The wines of course are what it’s about and with the Estate, Single Vineyard, Methode Traditionelle and Scott Base wines there is a good selection of quality wines to select from. My personal bias is towards the SV selection, check out my wine tasting and food pairing notes in this issue.
From the Estate range the sauvignon blanc is a must-try: a Marlborough classic with pristine tropical fruit, just the right measure of herbacousness, citrus aromas and flavours you look for in a fine example. Though the 2010 gewurztraminer is now sold out the 2011 looks very promising according to Josh; in the meantime check out the pinot gris – very good.
To summarise the wines of the SV range is a little challenging – suffice to say they are serious considerations for a restaurant wine list – great attention to detail with a sound combination of texture and flavour will please most of your guests, and all the wines have great affinity with food.
Of the four sparkling wines in the range the Blanc de Blancs NV is my pick for a great aperitif.
The dramatic packaging of the three Scott Base wines reflect the wine within – I find the riesling particularly delicious – powerful acidity with a fine flavour and balance from some residual sugar – a wine to engage with!