Clearview Estate Enigma red a success at EIT blind tasting

9 July 2012

Clearview Estate Enigma red a success at EIT blind tasting

A double blind tasting of Hawke’s Bay 2009 red wine blends held at EIT recently saw 25 of the region’s leading winemakers and wine aficionados select Clearview Estate’s Enigma as the leading Merlot Malbec and second equal overall.

The tasting was held by Blend, a collaboration of independent wine consultants Geoff Wilson and Clive Holland, who hold such events regularly, particularly during the winter months.

The wines were tasted double blind so participants had no knowledge of their identity or order. The order of the tastings was determined by the roll of a dice.

The fact that the Engima was the first wine of the tasting made its success “arguably more impressive in a very strong line up of wines,” according to Mr Wilson. “In my experience of running such tastings, often the first tasted wine can get overlooked as tasters come to terms with all the wines in front of them.”

The participants were invited to submit their top three preferences and ten ranked Enigma in their top three, noting that the wine showed “lovely ripe fruit, great balance and integrated tannins”.

Top choice overall was Church Road Reserve Cabernet Merlot, with Mission Jewelstone Cabernet Merlot second equal with Clearview’s Enigma.

ENDS

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