Ghost Rock Winery

97++ Points - Stuart McCloskey “It takes time to unfurl, but when it does, it’s a dreamboat of aromatics. From the outset, the French oak (38% new) is obvious and adds a pencil shaving freshness. With aeration (decant for an hour or so) the aromatic fruit develops with orange zest, raspberry and a lovely brightness from red berries - there’s a pretty savoury complexity too. The palate is tensile, medium bodied – the tannins providing a cloaking hug to the fruit. It feels natural and unforced. I find the harmony and elegance particularly enjoyable. All-in-all, a wine which offers supreme elegance without being sparing on fruit. The finish is super long with a slight tingle coming from an almost sorbet like blood orange finish. Delicious now but will only get better with time in the cellar (10 years maximum). Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware”

97 Points - Stuart McCloskey “Of late, I have been sampling a few English sparkling wines. In particular, ones which have been left on the lees for an extended time and recently disgorged. It’s been a mixed bag with a few shockers and a few which I enjoyed however, and compared to this Tassie example, they pale into significance when you compare the flavour to price ratio. The bouquet is magnificent and leads you down a heady path of buttered poached apples and pears, classic brioche, buttered citrus, creamy macadamia, honey, tinges of beurre noisette, lemon thyme, and a yeasty autolysis character. All-in-all, the bouquet is sublime. The palate is mid-weight, there’s a lovely nutty-buttery richness followed by a beautiful line of citrus acidity. Poached orchard fruits aplenty macerated with honey and a little sweet spice. This is ripe, effortless and layered. The finish is wonderfully long and fans out beautifully to orange zest and nuts. Undoubtedly, this is on-par with many NV Grand Cuvées (two-three times the money). My room is filled with an intoxicating perfume of honey roasted nuts and sweet brioche. I believe it’s in its prime drinking window but will age for at least another 5-10 years… Served using Zalto Universal glassware (do not use a Champagne flute as it will stifle the bouquet and flavour).”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “Such a pretty bouquet filled with ripe, sweet red berries, peony, rose hip and lots of spice. The palate is medium bodied and presents itself incredibly well (given it’s their most recent release). Youthfulness contrasts so well with the wine’s generous core of fruit. The mouthfeel is ample, fleshy with some textural grip (the tannins melt). The flavour profile is impressive and fans out fabulously. The acidity is racy and provides a lovely freshness minutes after the wine has escaped your palate… This also provides the opportunity to examine those lingering flavours of sweet raspberry, blood orange and wild berries. A very promising Tassie Pinot Noir which would certainly benefit from a few years in the cellar (consume within 5-8 years). Very impressive for such a young release. Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware.”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “The nose straddles both the old and new world although, and if I were to be pushed, I would side with the new world as the fruit aromatics lean towards blackcurrant, gooseberry, tinned lychee, lime, passionfruit and a little spice and freshness from lemongrass and anise – clean, green herbs too. Brightness, purity and minerality (lots of) provide focus and a firm nod to a sophisticated style of Sauvignon Blanc. Texturally, this is on-point  powerful with a controlled degree of richness (courtesy of a little bottle age and from the French barrels being left on full lees for seven-months), but this lusciousness is built on a triumphant frame of acidity. There’s an obvious spicy, citrusy, salty (fresh fennel seed) tang which is long and deeply satisfying, very adult and a masterstroke. In fact, the entire experience is a textural trip of bold flavours counterbalanced by nuance and complexity. The length is never-ending – quite extraordinary. I would urge you to put aside your Sauvignon Blanc prejudices and give this beauty a try. So, very good. I award 96+ points as I am left content and nodding like a dog. Drink now to 2025. Served using Zalto Universal glassware.”

96+ Points - Stuart McCloskey “60% Pinot Noir / 40% Chardonnay. I like the nose very much as it wafts from my glass with a crescendo of red berries, pomegranate, crisp green apples and chalk. The palate is super fresh and comes across more succulent and fuller compared to the Cuvee Catherine. The mousse is rich and the mid palate weight adds further depth and a lovely mouthfeel. The fruit is fresh and sings with ripe raspberry, wild strawberry, pomegranate and a little bitter orange rind on the long finish… I detect a little chalkiness and salinity too, which brings a welcome distinction to the fruit. The balance is textbook and the structure provides some girth. I like it very much, but I feel the cold, outside temperature and driving rain is playing havoc with my senses (take note to my score!) - the colour and flavours talk to me of the summer and not the deep winter. Unquestionably, this drinks fabulously now, but I would like to see a further five years bottle age. Served using Zalto Universal glassware. Do not overchill.”