2023 TWR ‘Toru’ SV 5182

TORU – (which means “three” in Māori) is an aromatic blend we first created over 12 years ago and was the first of it’s kind in New Zealand. It is a delicious, co-fermented “field blend” of three varieties – Gewürztraminer, Riesling and Pinot Gris. We are passionate about these classic Alsatian varieties and we spent a great deal of time coming up with the right proportions in the blend. We were aiming for a wine that displayed the essence of all three varieties, whilst creating a distinctive and interesting wine in its own right. It has the aromatic spice and weight of Gewürztraminer, the structure and length of Riesling, and the great texture of Pinot Gris. 

This 2023 Toru has an intriguing nose with notes of mango, fresh citrus, white florals and exotic spices. These lead into a multi-layered palate with flavours of mango, citrus, red apple and lychee with a lingering spiciness.  The palate has excellent fruit concentration and weight with lovely creamy texture, plus a mineral edge which gives it great length of flavour. – Anna Flowerday, TWR

This field blend of riesling, pinot gris and gewürztraminer all comes from Anna and Jason Flowerday’s organic home vineyard in Renwick, next to their house. It is a well-kept secret and delivers oodles of drinkability by virtue of how it changes over time as each variety takes its turn in the limelight. Very well-priced for the quality.  

Lifted perfumed aromatics of sweet herb, citrus blossom, apples, savoury complexity and underlying earthy minerality streaked through with a very primary estery sweetness. The palate is surprisingly weighty with progressively layered flavours of citrus and apple fruit, roses, savoury quinine phenolics and liquorice. Unquestionably concentrated but also refreshingly balanced, the acidity hits early on the palate before melting into the structure and fruit, finishing with just a sliver of off-dry honeyed richness. Happily poised part way between hedonistic and restrained, it is a chameleon of a wine which will be great with a wide variety of food. 93 points.  Stephen Wong, The Real Review Nov 2024