Bryterlater Wines is a new project from James Graves Opie, making unusual and funky, natural wines in North Canterbury, New Zealand. We found the bottle of Bryterlater Brambles Field Blend 2020 during our first visit to the Everyday Wine shop in Auckland. The wine is a blend of Syrah, Riesling, and Muscat made with carbonic fermentation. Since the project is very new, it’s hard to write about its history, so let’s dive into the tasting note, shall we?
Colour: Pale ruby
Nose: Medium intensity of primary aromas of red fruit – strawberries, raspberries, sour cherries, floral – violet, stone fruit – peach, herbal – basil, green fruit – green apple secondary aromas of oak – cedar.
Palate:
Dry, with medium intensity of primary flavours of red fruit – strawberries, raspberries, sour cherries, floral – violet, stone fruit – peach, herbal – basil, green fruit – green apple, secondary flavours of oak – cedar,
medium+ acidity; medium alcohol; medium- tannins, medium body; medium+ finish.
Conclusion: Very good – the wine displays a range of well-composed and integrated aromas and flavours, mainly primary, with a hint of oak influence. The aromas are fresh and juicy but not simplistic. The vivid fruitiness is well balanced by the acidity, adding to the youthful style of the wine, and is complemented by the medium body. Modered and rather one-dimensional finish prevent this wine from being outstanding.
Bottle ageing: Not suitable for bottle ageing – the wine is defined by its youthful style. The juicy and soft fruit with the moderate acidity allows this wine to be fresh and enjoyable now but the wine lacks the complexity and the tannic structure to support extended ageing.
Bought at: Everyday Wine
Price: 37 NZD
P.S. As always, out tasting notes follow the WSET Diploma Systematic Approach to Tasting.