Isabel Estate is one of the original Marlborough vineyards with some of the oldest vines in the region on original rootstock. In1980, and with a bird’s eye view, pilot Mike Tiller discovered a precious pocket of land, and the beginning of one of the pioneering Marlborough wineries was born. Mike and his wife Robyn built a winery on the site and named it in honour of Mike’s mother, Isabel. Throughout the 1980s the couple planted key noble varietals and began to deliver fruit of exceptional quality, in high demand from premium and internationally renowned wine producers. In 2001 Mike’s mother, Isabel, coerced him into abandoning his flying career to focus on the estate.
Their ambition was to produce ultra-premium classic grape varieties that were a true expression of Marlborough as the chosen parcel of land delivered fruit of exceptional quality. The chosen parcel of land delivered fruit of exceptional quality, and it wasn’t long before it was in high demand from premium and internationally renowned New Zealand wine producers.
A pure tropical fruit nose of passionfruit and gooseberry gives way to nuances of blackcurrant, grapefruit and underlying flinty aromas. The palate is concentrated and enticing, coupled with the classic Isabel ‘Old Vine’ mineral tones, making this wine refreshing and traditional in style. A creamy mid-palate and balanced acidity gives the wine weight and length, and makes it a great accompaniment to freshly caught fish or mussels.
