Posted: November 30, 2021
Scented and supple, this finely balanced red was matured for a year in French oak casks (20% new). Ruby hued, it is highly varietal, with youthful, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a gentle seasoning of oak, and loads of…
Comments Off on Tatty Bogler Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already very approachable, this elegant, medium to full-bodied red was hand-picked at Lowburn and matured for 10 months in French oak. Bright ruby, it is vibrant and sweet-fruited, with ripe cherry and spice flavours, showing very good depth, finely integrated…
Comments Off on Mount Riley Limited Release Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Well worth cellaring, this finely textured red was French oak-aged for nearly a year. Ruby hued, it is smoothly mouthfilling, with moderately concentrated, ripe cherry, spice and nut flavours, fresh acidity and considerable complexity. Best drinking mid-2021+. (From Bannock Brae)….
Comments Off on Diggers Law Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This graceful, delicate pinot noir was estate-grown on the edge of the Kawarau River, hand-picked, and matured in French oak puncheons (20% new). Ruby hued, it is finely scented and sweet-fruited, with delicate plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent…
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Shingle Beach Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This youthful, fruit-packed red was hand-harvested at the company’s two sites at Bendigo and matured in French oak casks (15% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, vibrant and supple, with fresh acidity and concentrated, plummy, spicy, slightly nutty flavours. Already highly…
Comments Off on Rocky Point Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still youthful, this highly fragrant red was estate-grown in the Alexandra sub-region and matured in French oak casks (30% new). Bright ruby, it is medium to full-bodied, with concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, complex and savoury, and a well-structured…
Comments Off on Judge Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still unfolding, this fragrant, single-vineyard red was grown at Bannockburn and matured in French oak casks (22% new). Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated oak and good tannin backbone….
Comments Off on Bristol Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Enticingly perfumed, this savoury red was grown at Queensberry and Lowburn, in the Cromwell Basin, and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Bright ruby, it is a very refined, full-bodied wine, with generous cherry, plum, spice…
Comments Off on Maude Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Offering fine value, this estate-grown red was matured for 11 months in mostly French oak casks (22% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours,…
Comments Off on Maori Point Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already delicious, this very harmonious red was grown at two Bannockburn sites and matured for a year in French oak casks (18% new). Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with generous cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent…
Comments Off on Ceres Composition Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Revealing impressive depth, the 2017 vintage (5*) is a 2:1 blend of Bannockburn and Bendigo grapes, matured for 11 months in French oak casks (15% new). Deep ruby, with a fresh, spicy, floral bouquet, it has concentrated, plummy, spicy, nutty…
Comments Off on Bristol Farm Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Offering great value, this Bannockburn red was hand-picked and matured for a year in French oak barriques (28% new). Full-coloured, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with deep, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, refined tannins, and lovely mouthfeel and texture….
Comments Off on Bald Hills 3 Acres Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Estate-grown and hand-harvested, this bright pink wine has vibrant watermelon, strawberry and spice flavours, a sliver of sweetness and a seductively smooth finish. Full-bodied, yet with a sense of lightness, it’s delicious young. $25 (A, US)
Comments Off on Maori Point Single Vineyard Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2020 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Hard to resist, this bright pink Gibbston wine is invitingly scented. Full-bodied, fresh and dry, it has a lovely array of watermelon, strawberry, peach and spice flavours, showing impressive vibrancy, delicacy and length. $31]
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This aromatic, freshly herbaceous wine was hand-harvested from mature vines at Gibbston and tank-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with youthful melon and green capsicum-like flavours, punchy and crisp. $27 (UK)
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Faintly pink, this white wine was made from pinot noir grown at Alexandra. Offering very easy drinking, it is vibrantly fruity, with strong, fresh, peachy, slightly strawberryish and spicy flavours and an off-dry fnish. Certified organic. $30
Comments Off on Judge Rock The Alibi Central Otago Blanc de Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This is a very refreshing chardonnay, reminiscent of Chablis. A single-vineyard wine, grown at Bendigo, it was hand-picked and fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (15% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is elegant and vibrantly fruity,…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This stylish young wine is well worth cellaring. Estate-grown, hand-harvested and fermented in French oak puncheons (25% new), it has a citrusy, slightly creamy bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is vibrantly fruity, with strong, grapefruit-like flavours, gentle biscuity notes, balanced acidity and…
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Riverblock Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This creamy-textured wine was fermented and lees-aged for eight months in French oak casks (10% new). Fragrant, with a citrusy, slightly biscuity bouquet, it has good weight, with citrusy, peachy, mealy flavours, showing impressive depth, a subtle seasoning of oak…
Comments Off on Maude Central Otago Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Full of youthful impact, this single-vineyard wine was hand-harvested at Bendigo. Bright, light lemon/green, it is scented and vibrantly fruity, with very good intensity of ripe, peachy, limey flavours and a crisp, off-dry, lingering finish. Drink now or cellar. $27…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Riesling 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Full of potential, this lively, estate-grown, hand-harvested wine is already delicious. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with fresh, concentrated, citrusy, appley flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, gentle sweetness, appetising acidity and a finely poised, long finish. Best…
Comments Off on Maori Point Single Vineyard Central Otago Riesling 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This richly scented wine has a strong sense of youthful drive. Light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with penetrating, yet delicate, citrusy, appley flavours, some peachy notes, appetising acidity and a distinctly off-dry, lasting finish. Already delicious, it’s well worth cellaring…
Comments Off on Bald Hills Last Light Single Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Riesling 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still unfolding, this 3:1 blend of Gibbston and Lowburn grapes was partly (25%) fermented in old French oak barrels. Pale lemon/green, it has strong, pear-like aromas and flavours, peachy and spicy notes, a distinct touch of complexity and a long,…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Attractively scented, this regional blend was fermented in a mix of tanks (60%) and seasoned French oak barriques (40%). Mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, it is full of youthful vigour, with strong, yet delicate, pear, lychee and spice flavours, a distinct…
Comments Off on Maude Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Delicious now, this full-bodied pinot gris was hand-picked and made with a small percentage of barrel fermentation. Attractively scented, it is vibrantly fruity, with strong pear, peach and spice flavours, a sliver of sweetness and a finely balanced, lingering finish….
Comments Off on Bald Hills Kirameki Single Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This highly refined wine was hand-harvested and fermented and matured for 10 months in old, neutral French oak puncheons. Currently delicious, it is weighty, with excellent delicacy and depth of peach, pear and lychee flavours, a subtle suggestion of oak…
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Lola’s Block Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Clearly a top vintage, this Alsace-style wine is a full-bodied, vigorous, off-dry style. Weighty, with strong, vibrant stonefruit flavours, gently spicy notes, fresh acidity and a very harmonious finish, it’s already delicious, but likely to be long-lived. Best drinking mid-2021+….
Comments Off on Tatty Bogler Waitaki Valley North Otago Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Chocolaty nose with rich fruit sweetness on the balanced palate. Just needs more time.
Comments Off on Paulett Wines Polish Hill River Clare Valley Cabernet Merlot 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A firm young wine. Good purple colour, nice dark berry fruit, chocolaty oak and dense tannins. Just needs more time.
Comments Off on Paulett Wines Polish Hill River Clare Valley Shiraz 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Citrusy nose and savoury elements to the slightly developed palate. Good lemon finish.
Comments Off on Paulett Wines Watervale Clare Valley Semillon 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lifted confectionery fruit nose with leafy notes and more of the same on the austere palate.
Comments Off on Paulett Wines Brielle Clare Valley Grenache 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A strawberry and cream nose and lively palate with good balance between fruit sweetness and acid.
Comments Off on Paulett Wines Clare Valley Sangiovese Rosé 2020 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lifted jubey black fruit fragrances with nice blueberry freshness in the mouth.
Comments Off on Grandis Unearthed Lower Hunter Valley Touriga 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Gorgeous lifted sweet and spicy floral fruit driven wine that has great length and seamless balance.
Comments Off on Centennial Vineyards House Block Southern Highlands, NSW Gewurztraminer 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Delicate lift of honeysuckle-like fragrances and good length of light crisp citrus-driven flavours with nice acid line.
Comments Off on Innocent Bystander Yarra Valley Arneis 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A simple steely green nose leading to a straightforward sweet citrus palate laced with racy acidity.
Comments Off on Brown Brothers King Valley Fiano 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A pretty wine with attractive floral red fruits, dried herbal notes and pronounced tannins.
Comments Off on Brown Brothers King Valley Gamay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
An interesting complexity of honeyed apples and attractive aged characters.
Comments Off on Di Lusso Estate Vivo Sparkling White Mudgee Arneis NV / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A well-aged wine still showing some varietal fruit characters and has a nice solid palate.
Comments Off on Hirsch Hill Yarra Valley Shiraz 2015 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Deep red wine with purple highlights. Fresh cool climate varietal fruit bouquet and a big solid palate rich with black cherry and plum-like varietal fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Maygars Hill Reserve Strathbogie Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Dark brooding and chocolaty wine with hints of cherry fruit and strong tannins.
Comments Off on Hirsch Hill Reserve Yarra Valley Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A delightful nose of vanilla, spices and flowers with attractive earthy red fruit palate. Good tannins
Comments Off on Maygars Hill Strathbogie Shiraz 2017 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Jubey blackcurrant aromas with beetroot-like elements and a big weighty palate full of earthy floral fruit with good use of oak.
Comments Off on Brash Vineyard Single Vineyard Margaret River Shiraz 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Very peppery shiraz – simple, fresh and lively with lovely lifted black fruit varietal characters.
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawkes Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A tad one-dimensional but has some delightful dark and earthy varietal fruit characters.
Comments Off on Maygars Hill ‘The Aviators’ Strathbogie Shiraz 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Crunchy black fruit nose with crushed ant-like notes and quite a tannic palate showing plenty of length.
Comments Off on Allegiance Wines The Artisan Coonawarra Merlot 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Lovely sweet floral fruit bouquet with herbal notes. Beautifully balanced sweet, fresh and lively palate with good acid balance.
Comments Off on Allegiance Wines Sweet Betty Riverina Botrytis Semillon 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
A very youthful deep purple wine. “A great baby,” declared one judge. It is brimming over with vibrant mulberry and blackcurrant varietal fruit characters.
Comments Off on Allegiance Wines The Foreman Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Earthy and savoury on the nose with shaded fruit characters on the palate.
Comments Off on CW Wines Winemaker Series Limestone Coast Shiraz 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021