Posted: April 5, 2017
Attractive, bright pink blend, based on merlot (55%), with smaller amounts of syrah, malbec, cabernet franc and cabernet sauvignon. Fresh, light, berryish and smooth, with drink-young charm. $18
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Lively, aromatic, strongly varietal wine with good intensity of fresh, tropical fruit flavours and a crisp, dry, persistent finish. Good value. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Arneis 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Single-vineyard wine, showing good intensity. Aromatic, with strong, ripe, citrusy flavours and a finely balanced, off-dry, lingering finish. Fine value. $18 (UK)
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Pale, with a fresh, limey bouquet. Medium-bodied, with good depth of ripely herbaceous flavours and a well-rounded finish. $19
Comments Off on Clearview Estate Te Awanga Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Mouthfilling, medium-dry style (15 grams/litre residual sugar), with fresh, youthful, well-spiced flavours, lively acidity and a richly perfumed bouquet. Bargain-priced. $18 (UK)
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, finely balanced wine, with moderately concentrated, ripe flavours, a hint of apricot, a touch of complexity from barrel fermentation (60 per cent), gentle acidity and a fully dry finish. Worth cellaring. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-bodied, with a lightly fragrant bouquet and fresh acidity woven through ripe, peachy, spicy flavours. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Lively, crisp, slightly minerally style with a splash of sweetness and strong, citrusy, slightly peachy flavours. $19
Comments Off on Clearview Haumoana Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-bodied, partly barrel-fermented style with peach and grapefruit flavours and slightly smoky notes adding a touch of complexity. Ready to roll. $16 (UK)
Comments Off on Vidal Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
From Te Awa, this is an elegant, partly barrel-fermented, fully barrel-aged (for six months) style. The bouquet is slightly smoky; the palate mouthfilling, citrusy, slightly nutty and dry, with fresh acidity keeping things lively. $18
Comments Off on Left Field Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bargain-priced, this refined, youthful wine was almost entirely (95%) fermented in French oak barrels (25% new). Instantly appealing, it is fragrant, fresh and finely balanced, with ripe, citrusy, biscuity flavours, showing good complexity, a hint of ‘struck match’ and a…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Skilfully crafted, with a slightly buttery bouquet, this full-bodied wine has peachy, slightly toasty flavours, showing excellent depth and harmony. “Long and fine’, noted one judge. Great value. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant, partly barrel-fermented style, grown at Te Awanga. Fresh and finely poised, with strong, ripe, citrusy flavours and considerable complexity. Fine value. $19
Comments Off on Clearview Coastal Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light-bodied, with green-edged flavours, this is a tasty, low alcohol style (9% alc/vol) with a hint of passionfruit, firm acid spine, and a touch of complexity (from some barrel fermentation.) $19 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Easy Tiger Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, crisp and lively, this carbonated sparkling is from grapes grown in the Wairau Valley and Ure Valley. Aromatic and vivacious, with ripely herbaceous flavours, it tastes just like you would expect – sauvignon blanc with bubbles. $19 (A)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Bubbles Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Priced sharply, this barrel-fermented wine is medium-bodied, with fresh, crisp, lively, citrusy flavours to the fore, slightly peachy and toasty notes, a touch of complexity and satisfying depth. $16
Comments Off on Rossendale Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Drinking well now, this light ruby red is mouthfilling (14.5% alc/vol), sweet-fruited and smooth, with ripe plum and spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $18
Comments Off on Falconhead Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Crisp, medium-bodied wine, strongly varietal, with vibrant melon, lime and green capsicum flavours. Frisky and finely balanced. $18
Comments Off on Wild South Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bargain-priced, this smooth, full-coloured red is a fresh, fruit-driven style, with generous, ripe, red berry and spice flavours, and hints of herbs and dark chocolate. Showing very good depth, it should be at its best 2017+. $17
Comments Off on Falconhead Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Offering lots of drink-young appeal, this is a mouthfilling, finely balanced wine with a fresh, aromatic bouquet and good depth of ripely herbaceous flavours, crisp and lively. Good value. $18 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This pale pink, medium-bodied rosé is a dryish blend of pinot noir and pinot gris. Fresh and smooth, it has lively peach, watermelon, lychee and pear flavours, showing very good delicacy and harmony. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Gently floral, dry style, with lively pear, lychee and spice flavours, lively acidity, and very good freshness, delicacy and depth. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Showing good intensity, this wine was partly barrel-fermented and made in a crisp, dry style. Mouthfilling, it has lively tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, with a touch of complexity, and a lengthy finish. Already drinking well. $19 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
The nose is a lovely complexity of dried fruits and spices – like a Christmas cake! Palate is thick, intense and slippery in the mouth with rich toffee and caramel flavours.
Comments Off on Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Rutherglen Muscat NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Excellent muscat that’s sticky with age. Lovely blend of aged characters and sweet spices on the nose. Delicious lip smacking concentration of warm flavours.
Comments Off on Morris Grand Liqueur Rutherglen Muscat NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
A spicy caramel-like nose and a long warm muscat fruit palate with some lovely rancio complexity.
Comments Off on Morris Cellar One Classic Liqueur Rutherglen Muscat NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Impressive dark tarry/toffee bouquet layered with dried fruit-like elements. The generous palate has luscious sweet raisined fruit flavours with some delicate spiciness.
Comments Off on Morris Old Premium Rare Liqueur Rutherglen Topaque NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
This tokay has a deliciously dark, tarry and savoury bouquet with masses of intense, thick black molasses-like flavours wrapped in warming spirit.
Comments Off on Morris Cellar Reserve Grand Rutherglen Tokay NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
A lighter style with a fresh and vibrant bouquet and a lush bright spicy fruit palate.
Comments Off on Morris Classic Liqueur Rutherglen Tokay NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Malty honeycomb aromas coupled with orange peel elements. Very pleasant, balanced palate with lingering spicy, raisined flavours.
Comments Off on Morris Classic Liqueur Rutherglen Topaque NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
“This is yummy!” enthused one of the panel. It has a nutty rancio bouquet layered with coffee grind elements. Great flavour length and balance on quite a dry palate.
Comments Off on Morris Cellar Reserve Grand Rutherglen Tawny NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Spicy raisined fruit aromas with similar characters echoed on the medium length palate.
Comments Off on Morris Classic Rutherglen Tawny NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
A fruitier style showing good flor characters. Pretty spirity grapey fragrances and a lovely dry nutty palate has great freshness.
Comments Off on Morris Mia Rutherglen Apera NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
“Nose smells like a Monte Carlo biscuit”, thought one judge. Nicely balanced fruit/oak palate.
Comments Off on Morris Bin No 186 Rutherglen Shiraz 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Simple blend with lolly-like berry aromas and attractive blue fruit palate with good oak balance and nice tannins.
Comments Off on Morris GSM Rutherglen Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Interesting and different! Smells like fruit-straps and has a slurpy and flavoursome palate.
Comments Off on Morris of Rutherglen Bin No 80 Rutherglen Blue Imperial 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bright in colour with a floral/berry nose and a voluptuously rich juicy fruit palate balanced by the acid and tannins.
Comments Off on Anderson Rutherglen Tempranillo 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Simple, savoury and very enjoyable with hints of strawberries. Good acid backbone.
Comments Off on Gapsted Wines Tobacco Road King Valley Sangiovese Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Nose is a blend of stonefruit, melons, leesy characters and some flintiness. Flinty palate shows lovely texture and balance with the acid carrying the varietal fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Morris The Percheron Rutherglen Chardonnay 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Very intense lifted tropical floral fragrances. Well balanced palate; flavours of apples and pears with a mineral spine.
Comments Off on Rutherglen Estates Single Vineyard Rutherglen Arneis 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Aromas of honeysuckle, herbs and melon. Nicely textured flavoursome palate. Good acidity.
Comments Off on The Pond Northern Victoria Pinot Grigio Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Smells of fresh pears with a hint of lemon. Palate is tight and racy with green apple flavours.
Comments Off on Rutherglen Estates Rutherglen Pinot Grigio 2016 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Appley aromas with floral notes. Pleasant green apple/lemon zest flavours.
Comments Off on Vero King Valley Prosecco 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Nice presence of sweet cut pear-like varietal fruit characters. Floral nose, slightly sweet palate.
Comments Off on Sorriso King Valley Prosecco 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Subtle honey characters on the nose with a lemon sherbet-like palate. Lots of zesty acidity.
Comments Off on Gapsted Wines Tobacco Road King Valley Prosecco NV / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Light but intense jubey herbal aromas and soft varietal palate with some complexity.
Comments Off on Rose Family Estate Robinsons Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Earthy savoury bouquet and good fruit/oak intensity on the nicely textured palate. 3-5
Comments Off on Kaiora Bay Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
A lovely fragrant complexity of forest floor and red berry fruit characters with a nicely textured aromatic earthy berry palate. 3-5
Comments Off on Matahiwi Estate Mt Hector Wairarapa Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Plums and cherries on the nose and a flavoursome palate with delicate varietal flavours. 3-5
Comments Off on Four Sisters Central Victoria Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh lifted varietal aromatics and a light, clean and simple jubey palate.
Comments Off on The Seafarer 570 Wines South Eastern Australia Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017