Immigration has been enriching the wine culture of the New World countries for at least the last two hundred years; from California, South Africa and South America, to the Barossa in Australia and Northland in New Zealand, Italians, French, Spanish Germans, the Croatians and others have brought generations of history and experience to shape these new lands and have established new cultures around grapes and wine that have been fundamental in shaping the modern wine world. 

That said, there is a more contemporary lifestyle-driven immigration happening too and many still move to NZ to find a new opportunity and sometimes to make a little wine. Back in 1997 the affable and down to earth Dutch couple Ruud Maasdam and Dorien Vermaas purchased a 52 acre block of land in Marlborough, New Zealand. Their property is within the ‘golden triangle’; the original Wairau River plain that was responsible for many of the exciting Sauvignons that brought such fame to this region.

The Staete Landt wines all come from this single estate where everything is hand-picked. Most of the focus is on Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, but Riesling Syrah and Viognier are also made. All the wines show lovely focus and elegance, with Pinot Noir being the stand-out.

With a pale ruby-purple color, the ‘Paladin’ has a nose of ripe cherries, pomegranate and cranberries with dried leaves and cinnamon. Medium bodied, the wine has flavors of red berries and earth and is supported by light, fine tannins and fresh acidity which lengthen the finish. This is a yummy wine, now in its drinking prime!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MAILBOX #            DATE: JULY 2014

 

 

 

Staete Landt “Paladin” Pinot Noir 2010 Marlborough, New Zealand

Immigration has been enriching the wine culture of the New World countries for at least the last two hundred years; from California, South Africa and South America, to the Barossa in Australia and Northland in New Zealand, Italians, French, Spanish Germans, the Croatians and others have brought generations of history and experience to shape these new lands and have established new cultures around grapes and wine that have been fundamental in shaping the modern wine world. 

That said there is a more contemporary lifestyle-driven immigration happening too and many still move to NZ to find a new opportunity and sometimes to make a little wine

Back in 1997 the affable and down to earth Dutch couple Ruud Maasdam and Dorien Vermaas purchased a 52 acre block of land in Marlborough, New Zealand. Their property is within the ‘golden triangle’; the original Wairau River plain that was responsible for many of the exciting Sauvignons that brought such fame to this region.

The Staete Landt wines all come from this single estate where everything is hand-picked. Most of the focus is on Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Gris and Pinot Noir, but Riesling Syrah and Viognier are also made. All the wines show lovely focus and elegance, with Pinot Noir the stand out.

With a pale ruby-purple color, the ‘Paladin’ has a nose of ripe cherries, pomegranate and cranberries with dried leaves and cinnamon. Medium bodied, the wine has flavors of red berries and earth and is supported by light, fine tannins and fresh acidity which lengthen the