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Boundary Vineyards Rapaura RoadMarlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2007‘My approach to winemaking is simple: Wines do not always need orwant help. Whenever a wine is handled, something is taken away from it.I try hard to only influence a wine when absolutely necessary, and even thenI always try to use the least meddling of methods.’Such is the philosophy of Alex Kahl, chief winemaker at Boundary Vineyards.Non-interventionist winemaking is a philosophy we are seeing moreand more of in this country, as winemakers gain a greater understanding ofthe individual characteristics of each region and sub-region. Understandingindividual vineyard sites is what drives the Boundary Vineyards brandingphilosophy; each of the featured wines comes off a unique site, one knownwithin the particular region concerned for its individual terroir.The wise heads at Boundary have located small plots with unique aspectsand then planted them with the grape variety best-suited to the conditions.So you get Chardonnay from near the Tuki Tuki River in Hawke’s Bay,Pinot Noir from Waipara and Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough’s famousRapaura Road.This site selection process makes even more sense when paired withAlex’s winemaking vision; why scour the country for a certain site, one thatbrilliantly expresses a particular variety, and then cover up the expressionswith excessive oak, over-extraction or other invasive winery techniques?As Alex suggests, letting the fruit and the terroir off the chain to bound intoyour glass, expressing its own character with utmost authenticity, is surelythe key to making good wine from a great site.Alex Kahl: Winemaker, Boundary VineyardsBoundary VineyardsTuki Tuki Road Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2007was $21.50 now$16.90 18373was $21.50 now$16.90 18343Each wine in the Boundary Vineyard selection isnamed after the road that the vineyard borders.Thus, this vibrant little popper comes straight offMarlborough’s Golden Vineyard Mile. An irrepressibleimp, this has all the passionfruit and citrus acidzing you would expect, richly and ripely displayed,yet in proportion with the acid and structure of therest of the wine. The tropical flavours win out in theend, racily finishing the wine with a swirl of charmand a headrush of flavour. The balance is precise,and you can’t argue about the price.Boundary Vineyards Kings RoadWaipara Pinot Noir 2007was $22.90 now$19.90 18347Although a cooler vintage than most, resulting inlower yields, the extended ripening period ensuredeven and concentrated flavour development comeharvest; there is no lack of Pinot punch and powerhere. With two distinctively different Pinot cloneslending the final blend a myriad of characteristics,this well-crafted and wondrously-priced offeringhas all the cherry/plum dark fruit one could hankerafter, with further complexity coming in the form ofa deep spice and earth note. Warm, generous andrewarding, it’s a mouthfilling tide of tingly treatsand dark delights.Boundary Vineyards Lake RoadGisborne Syrah 200714The 2007 vintage took in one of the driest summersfor many years, which in the perennially arid Hawke’sBay, is saying something. Ergo, the fruit had plenty ofhang time (a response to hot weather that I stronglyadvocate in the summer months), allowing flavoursand sugars in the grapes to intensify, and the ripeningprocess to peak and complete. Being within apebble’s throw of the coast means cool breezes fanthe sun-drenched grapes, ensuring good acid andconcentration of flavours. It’s all here, then; lotsof citrus-meets-grapefruit fruit character, a subtleinfusion (but not intrusion) of oak, a firm spine anda fleshy, fruit-filled finish.was $22.90 now$19.90 18342A ‘traditional’ style, making this more Rhône-likethan Barossa, right down to the custom of blendinga little of the white Viognier grape with the Syrah touplift the fragrance and add some je ne sais quoito the final wine. Indeed the aromatics are fully-litflorals, while the palate seduces with a savouryshadow, pepper and spice sprinkling the broodingdark fruits with verve and style. Rich and generous,the lushness of the palate and the ripe tannin finishreflect the outstanding vintage conditions experiencedin Patutahi in 2007.