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Wineries : New Zealand

Sileni Estates

Sileni Estates is an exciting new vineyard and winery in Hawke's Bay, New Zealand's oldest established vineyard area. It is named after the Sileni who featured in Roman mythology and celebrated good wine, good food and good company.

Graeme Avery, a pharmaceutical scientist by background and successful business entrepreneur with his own medical publishing company, founded the winery in 1997 and formed a partnership with Grant Edmonds, one of New Zealand's' most talented winemakers.

"I was looking for a complete change in direction", says Avery. "I have always been passionate about wine and food, and my dream was to achieve the highest quality without compromise and to produce world-class wines for discerning consumers."

Winery and vineyards

Sileni boasts a start-of-the-art winery designed to crush over 1,250 tonnes of grapes, using both high-tech and traditional methods. Gentle air bag presses and temperature-controlled tanks give precise control of grape juice quality, while open-top fermenters and cool barrel cellars provide for more time-honoured techniques.

Grant had researched and evaluated the soil types and microclimates in the Hawke's Bay area and identified those sites most suited to the varieties Sileni wished to focus on. He selected the best free draining gravel sites - the warm "triangle" vineyards around the winery are planted to Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, Syrah and Semillon, and the higher, cooler "plateau" vineyard is planted to Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Pinot Gris. Sileni Estates also produces a Sauvignon Blanc from the internationally renowned Marlborough region. Sileni's winemakers and viticulturalists practise sustainable winegrowing and are part of the Living Wine group. With their experience of winemaking in Alsace, Bordeaux, Burgundy, California and Chile, they maintain the highest standards in environmentally sustainable viticultural and winemaking practices, producing hand-crafted wines that reflect the unique characteristics of the vineyards.

The wines

Sileni Estates has built its reputation on its red wines and is best known for its flagship Merlot/Cabernets Bordeaux blend. However, it also produces some stunning whites, including Sileni's signature Semillon and its complex, Burgundy-style Chardonnay. The majority of the wines are bottled in screw cap to ensure that the quality is not compromised.

"Our wines are desig ned to express both their varietal characters and their physical origin in the unique combination of soil and climate that makes up our sub-region. The wines are fruit-driven in the New World style, but have layers of complexity and an underlying elegance and balance more reminiscent of the Old World," says Edmonds.

Sileni produces three different labels. The Cellar Selection offers rich, soft, approachable wines for everyday drinking . The Estate Selection range offers equally approachable but more concentrated complex wines with longer cellaring potential. The Exceptional Vintage (EV) range, produced only in outstanding vintages, offers depth, concentration and complexity, representing the ultimate expression of their terroir.

Food and wine matching

Sileni's philosophy is to produce wines to be enjoyed with food. Sileni Estates is far more than just a winery - it is an epicurean centre, housing an d alfresco and indoor dining restaurant, a culinary school (Jamie Oliver has performed here), wine educations centre and gourmet food store, showcasing the finest Hawke's Bay products. Avery instigated the successful Hawke's Bay Wine Country branding and was recently made chairman of the New Zealand Food and Wine Tourism network. He was voted New Zealander of the Year in 2003.

Sileni Estates is now committed to a major research project to establish a stronger scientific basis for food and wine matching, so enhancing the enjoyment of cuisine through an understanding of the chemistry and molecular basics of flavour and texture harmony. With listing in some the UK's top restaurants it is clear that Avery's vision and philosophy is finding kindred spirits among those committed to good wine, good food and good company.

To find out more about Sileni visit their website at http://www.sileni.co.nz/

Wines

Sileni Celler Selection Chardonnay Hawkes Bay

A fresh, full bodied lightly oaked Chardonnay, with crisp grapefruit and apple flavours leading to elegant hints of melon and hazelnut.
''Robust yellow fruit fairly bursts from the nose and palate of this richly fruited wine. Firm acidity sustains the fruit on the finish, which is long and warming.'' SILVER MEDAL INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2003
Overstone Pinot Noir

A smooth Pinot with concentrated dark cherry aromas and flavours with a rich mouth feel and ripe silky tannins. Wonderfully rich.
Won Bronze Medal for 2005 Vintage at The 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competion.
2005 Vintage won BRONZE at The 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Available at: P & O Cruises
Overstone Sauvignon Blanc

Fresh vibrant Sauvignon, packed full of ripe white peach, gosseberry and tropical fruits. Fresh zesty and stylish.
2005 Vintage COMMENDED at The Decanter 2006 World Wine Awards.

Available at: P & O Cruises
Sileni Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Franc, Hawkes Bay

A juicy fruity red with fresh berry aromas, mouthfilling body, vibrant plum and red berry flavours, supported by gentle tannins.

Available at: Threshers / Wine Rack | Wine Buy The Case
Sileni Cellar Selection Pinot Noir

The Cellar Selection Pinot Noir has typical red fruit aromas which follow through to the palate where berry and cherry flavours are backed up by well structured tannins. A great food wine, made for early drinking but could cellar for the next 2-4 years.

Available at: Wine Buy The Case
Sileni Cellar Selection Sauvignon Blanc

The 2004 vintage received triple trophies and a gold medal, winning crisp, elegant expression of classic Marlborough Sauvignon.
Bursting with flavours of gooseberry, citrus melon and capsicum, this wine is fresh, zesty and bright with a long layered finish.
GOLD MEDAL IWC 2005
Trophy for Best International Sauvignon Blanc IWC 2005
Trophy for est New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc IWC 2005
Trophy for Great Value White Wine of the Year IWC 2005
'Rich, pungent wild grasses and bright young gooseberries scent the nose. The palate is fresh, vibrant and dry, with a crystal-clear attack of lush green berries, minerals and white orchard blossom. Marvellous poise, intensity and definition.' International Wine Challenge2005

Available at: Tesco | Threshers / Wine Rack | Wine Buy The Case
- The Telegraph (Jonathan Ray)
  
  Wines of the week:
  Very classy and a cinch to spot in blind tastings, this is classic Kiwi Sauvignon crammed with nettle and grass aromas and zingy tropical fruit on the palate. Great with simple fish dishes.
- Food & Travel, Issue 95 (Kate Ennis)
  
  The powerful, pungent flavours of New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc are ideal for matching new season asparagus. With this one, however, you get gentler grass and blossom joining the gooseberry and a lovely mineral quality.
- Wine & Spirit (Simon Woods)
  
  Goosberries, passion fruit, pineapple, you name it, it's got it. A great wine.
- The Times (Jane MacQuitty)
  
  Stock up early for Easter with a trio of this impressive Sauvignon that displays all the tropical and flowering currant fruit you would expect from this grape and region.
- Wine & Spirit (Jane Parkinson)
  
  Amazingly good flavour. This oozes pure goosberry and passion fruit juice. A cracking wine that's fantastic value for money. An easy sell in the stores too.
- The Independent on Sunday (Richard Ehrlich)
  
  Textbook example from Marlborough valley, hitting all the right notes.
- International Wine Challenge 2005 (Wine International)
  
  GOLD MEDAL and THREE TROPHIES Best International Sauvignon Blanc, Best New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, Great Value White WIne of the Year 'Rich, pungent wild grasses and bright young gooseberries scent the nose. The palate is fresh, vibrant and dry, with a crystal-clear attack of lush green berries, minerals and white orchard blossom. Marvellous poise, intensity and definition.' International Wine Challenge 2005
- Observer Magazine (Tim Atkin)
  
  It's a long time since I've been so impressed by a Kiwi Sauvignon. This is focused and restrained with Sancerre-like minerality and fresh goosberry and passion-fruit flavours.
- Independent on Sunday (Richard Ehrlich)
  
  Exactly what you expect: big, ripe, mouth-filling.
- The Sunday Times (Joanna Simon)
  
  Vibrant gooseberry and elderflower flavours: textbook New Zealand Sauvignon.
- Yorkshire Post, Western Morning News (Christine Austin)
  
  It is a significant leap in quality ahead of the Montana version... with bright, herbaceous flavours and a touch of tropical fruit.
- BBC Southern Counties Radio (Debbie Lush)
  
  If you want an example of the quintessential New Zealand flagship, here's a triple-trophy winner.
- The Sunday Times (Joanna Simon)
  
  Still dazzling 2004 New Zealand sauvignon.
Sileni Estate Selection Chardonnay 'The Lodge'

A ripe, rich beautifully balanced Chardonnay, with a complex, creamy nose, mealy and biscuity with lemon and sweet grapefruit notes mingling with buttery and minerally flavours. Tremendous Chardonnay begging for your finest roast chicken, fish or seafood.
Awarded BEST IN CLASS & Silver Medal for 2004 Vintage in 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competition, London.
BRONZE medal for 2005 Vintage in 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competition, London.
''Herbaceous notes meld with vanilla and toast on the warming nose of delicate citrus fruit. The complex palate has cream and nougat, a smooth texture and herbal hints.'' SILVER MEDAL INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2003

Available at: Threshers / Wine Rack | Wine Buy The Case
Sileni Estate Selection Merlot/Cabernet

Sileni is widely acclaimed for having some of New Zealand's best Merlot. Ripe and rich, with delicious plum and berry fruit characters, spicy well judged oak and a long smooth finish.

Available at: Wine Buy The Case
Sileni Estate Selection Pinot Noir 'The Plateau'

A delicious medium bodied red with lovely red fruit flavours. Soft and smooth with excellent balance. A bargain alternative to Côte de Beaune reds.
2005 vintage won BRONZE at The International Wine and Spirit Competition in London 2006.
2005 Vintage COMMENDED by 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards.

Available at: Wine Buy The Case
Sileni Estate Selection' The Sounds' Sauvignon Blanc

Typically ripe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, this wine has rich tropical, stonefruit and gooseberry aromas. The palate is mouth filling, with vibrant fruit and clean acidity leading to a long finish. Serve lightly chilled with seafood and white meats.
2005 vintage won Gold Medal, New Zealand International Wine Show, 2005
2005 Vintage won Silver Medal at Decanter World Wine Awards 2006
2005 vintage won BRONZE MEDAL at International Wine and Spirit Competition 2006 in London

Available at: Wine Buy The Case
- Decanter, July 2006 ()
  
  Clean, asparagus, lime, creamy. High acidity, good concentration, some bitterness on finish but nice. Drink now.
Sileni Estates Estate Selection Semillon 'The Circle'

Medal winner and showered with accolades from the press.
A fresh crisp white with appley flavours leading to a rich, complex palate of lime and tropical fruit. A wonderful wine with a wide range of foods, this Semillon will continue to improve in bottle.
2004 Vintage won SILVER at The International Wine Challenge, 2006 in London.
2004 Vintage won Silver at The 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards
2004 vintage won BRONZE medal at The International Wine and Spirit Competition in London 2006
''Lifted, with lanonlin and limes in abundance. Appealing pale green colour. Touches of rosemary on the nose.'' BRONZE MEDAL INTERNATIONAL WINE CHALLENGE 2004
Lovely depth here on the nose and palate and an attractive peppery nose. Juicy, dry, honeyed fruit, long and luscious. Decanter, May 2005

Available at: Wine Buy The Case
Sileni Exceptional Vintage Chardonnay

The Exceptional Vintage Chardonnay is full and rich on the palate, with sweet citrus and stonefruit overlying sophisticated oak. The wine is beautifully balanced and has great concentration and length of flavour. It will develop well in the bottle over the next 6-8 years
The 2005 Vintage won BEST IN CLASS and a Silver medal at the 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competion in London
2005 Vintage also won a Silver medal at the 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards
Sileni Exceptional Vintage Pinot Noir

Elegant, velvety Pinot Noir, layered in soft cherry fruit and a fine structure, laced with finely balanced French oak.
2005 Vintage won BEST IN CLASS and SILVER medal at 2006 International Wine and Spirit Competition in London
2005 Vintage won BRONZE medal at 2006 Decanter World Wine Awards
Sileni Unoaked Chardonnay

Vibrant melon and citrus flavours abound in this deliciously smooth and concentrated dry white.

Available at: Threshers / Wine Rack | Wine Buy The Case
- Daily Mail Weekend Magazine (Matthew Jukes)
  
  Sileni's Unoaked Chardonnay is bursting with fresh, mildly fruity aromas and flavours and it is Hawke's Bay answer to Chablis, only at half the price. This is the definitive, all-purpose lunchtime wine.
- Financial Times and www.jancisrobinson.com (Jancis Robinson)
  
  Very pure, racy fruit form New Zealand's Chardonnay cradle. Quite a bit of alcohol - 14 per cent - but no shortage of refreshing acidity. Best drunk with food, nevertheless.
- Independent Magazine (Anthony Rose)
  
  Fermentation in stainless steel allows the clean, fruity richness of this full-frontal Chardonnay from New Zealand's Hawke's Bay to speak for itself without the trappings of oak. The flavours, though, are remarkably intense for a wine at this price, never mind the three-for-two discount.

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