Review: Wines of Tussock Jumper, 2020 Releases
Review: Wines of Tussock Jumper, 2020 Releases
Last year we were introduced to Tussock Jumper wines and found they offer good-quality wines at affordable prices. There are now two new 2020 releases. Let’s give them a try.
2020 Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc South Africa – I didn’t admit it last year when I reviewed this wine, but I will now: I am rarely impressed by Chenin Blanc. It is often subtle past the point of enjoyment and makes a palatable choice for people that don’t really like wine. But there are some lovely exceptions, and for the price, this is certainly among them. Tussock Jumper’s Chenin Blanc is pale straw colored in the glass. The nose this year offers enticing aromas of pineapple and peach. The palate is very forward for the style and fruity with pineapple and peach again being dominant. The wine has medium acidity and will pair well with seafood, chicken, and vegetables. This year’s vintage isn’t as complex as the one I tried last year (the minerality is less prevalent and the honey notes are missing), but that one was from 2017, so a bit more time in the bottle (but not too much for this varietal) might bring out some additional complexity. B / $12
2020 Tussock Jumper Sauvignon Blanc New Zealand – This wine pours very pale in the glass, but it’s quite vibrant on the nose, offering fruity notes of pineapple, melon, guava, and lemon along with some grassiness. The palate follows suit and is also bold, but not as in-your-face as many other Sauvignon Blancs from the Marlborough region of New Zealand can be. In fact, the flavors in Tussock Jumpers Sauvignon Blanc are actually quite balanced, and the wine shows good, but not overpowering acidity. There is nothing here that is really new for New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, but this is a well-balanced, enjoyable example of the style, and for the price, it is a very good option. B+ / $12
2020 Tussock Jumper Chenin Blanc South Africa
$12
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