Posted: December 10, 2019
This fragrant, youthful red is deep ruby, with mouthfilling body, strong, ripe, cherryish, gently spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and a fairly firm finish. Well worth cellaring, it should be at its best 2021+. $33 (A)
Comments Off on Toi Toi Winemakers Selection Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Already drinking well, this single-vineyard wine is scented and full-bodied, with lively acidity, good intensity of citrusy, limey flavours and an appetisingly crisp, dry finish. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick Wairarapa Riesling 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This full-bodied, partly barrel-fermented wine has strong, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, with a lingering, dry finish. Showing good varietal character and a distinct touch of complexity, it should be at its best mid-2020+. $24 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick Wairarapa Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Looking good for the summer of 2019-20, this bright, light lemon/green wine is full-bodied and freshly aromatic, with good intensity of ripely herbaceous flavours, crisp and punchy. (From Pegasus Bay.) $21 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Main Divide North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Delicious young, this fresh, elegant red was estate-grown and barrel-aged (15% new). Bright ruby, it is sweet-fruited and supple, with youthful, ripe, moderately concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, oak-derived complexity and some tannin backbone. A very graceful red, it…
Comments Off on Chard Farm River Run Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still youthful, this barrel-fermented wine has a slightly creamy, buttery fragrance. Full-bodied, with peachy, slightly spicy and biscuity flavours, and finely balanced acidity, it shows considerable complexity, with a rounded finish. $29
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This generous, youthful red was estate-grown and hand-picked at two sites, at Lowburn and Parkburn, and barrel-aged (20% new). Ruby hued, it is savoury and supple, with strong cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, oak complexity and obvious potential; best…
Comments Off on Chard Farm Mata-Au Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Instantly appealing, this is a rich, medium style. Attractively scented, it has strong, citrusy, peachy, slightly appley flavours, showing good delicacy, and a lovely balance of sweetness and mouth-watering acidity. Drink now or cellar. $26
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Riesling 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This very ageworthy red was estate-grown, hand-picked and matured for over a year in seasoned oak barrels. Deeply coloured, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with strong, youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, finely balanced tannins and very good complexity. Best…
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full of personality, this single-vineyard red was grown on a south-east-facing site near Kerikeri, matured in French oak barrels (one year-old), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep and youthful in colour, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours,…
Comments Off on 144 Islands Bay of Islands Northland Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Grown at Mangawhai Heads, this elegant, barrel-fermented wine has lots of youthful drive. Fresh and full-bodied, with an oaky, buttery fragrance, it has generous, peachy, slightly toasty flavours, showing good complexity, balanced acidity and a long, tightly structured finish. Best…
Comments Off on 144 Islands Northland Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A wine of strong presence, this golden, honey-sweet North Canterbury wine is made in the classic Sauternes style. French oak-aged for 18 months, it has a fragrant, gently honeyed bouquet. Full-bodied, it has rich, apricot-like flavours, showing lovely complexity, poise…
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay Finale Noble Barrique Matured Canterbury Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full of personality, this explosively flavoured, single-vineyard wine has a pungent, ripely aromatic, very fresh and lively bouquet. Mouthfilling and racy, it is sweet-fruited, with penetrating, ripely herbaceous flavours, threaded with crisp acidity, and a dry, persistent finish. $24 (A,…
Comments Off on Paddy Borthwick Wairarapa Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Already delicious, this rich, savoury, supple Bendigo red was estate-grown and barrel-aged for 10 months. Deeply coloured, with a fragrant, berryish, spicy bouquet, it is a powerful, sturdy wine, with generous, ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, finely integrated…
Comments Off on Mondillo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Ruby hued, this mouthfilling, supple red was barrel-aged for a year. Enjoyable now, it has fresh, gentle, strawberryish, spicy flavours and a touch of complexity. $26
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This classy young red was matured for 16 months in American oak barriques (partly new). Full-coloured, with a fragrant, berryish, spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with excellent density of vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, earthy, savoury notes adding complexity,…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This medium-bodied red was oak-aged for 10 months. Bright ruby, with a fresh, peppery fragrance, it is vibrantly fruity and supple, with lively, plummy, spicy flavours and lots of drink-young charm. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Mouthfilling and smooth, this easy-drinking red was barrel-aged for a year. It has very good depth of plummy, spicy flavours, with nutty, savoury notes adding complexity. $24
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This smooth-flowing, generous red is already enjoyable. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with good concentration of plum, spice and black pepper flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a lengthy finish. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this full-coloured red was matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Mouthfilling, with fresh acidity and strong, vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, it should be at its best 2021+. $27
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This Gimblett Gravels red is deep ruby, savoury and spicy. Still youthful, it is full-bodied and lively, with good density of plum and black pepper flavours, slightly earthy notes and a firmly structured finish. Best drinking 2021+. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Fresh and full-bodied, this ageworthy red was matured in a mix of American (56%) and French (44%) oak casks (26% new). Full-coloured, it has strong, blackpepper and plum aromas and flavours, showing very good complexity, hints of liquorice and dark…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This floral, supple, finely textured red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured in old French oak barrels. Deep ruby, it’s already drinking well, with plummy, spicy flavours, showing excellent complexity and harmony. Best drinking 2021+. $30 (A,…
Comments Off on Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Drinking well now, but still youthful, this full-coloured red was matured for a year in French oak casks (40 per cent new). It has fresh, peppery aromas, leading into a mouthfilling, supple wine with vibrant plum and black pepper flavours,…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full-coloured, with a fragrant, peppery bouquet, this mouthfilling red has fresh, strong, berryish, spicy flavours. Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for eight months in French oak barrels (25% new), it is still youthful, with very good depth,…
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This elegant, vividly varietal red was matured for eight months in a mix of barriques and 5,000-litre oak ovals. Full-coloured, with a floral, peppery bouquet, it is medium to full-bodied, with strong, youthful, plum and black pepper flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This sturdy, finely structured, highly fragrant red was hand-harvested, blended with a splash of viognier (1.3%) and matured for a year in French oak casks (27% new). It has excellent concentration of plum, spice and black pepper flavours, showing good…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A classic cellaring style, this fragrant, savoury red was grown at two sites in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (36% new). Full-coloured, with a peppery bouquet, it is well structured, with strong, youthful,…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This fresh, supple, medium to full-bodied red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (71%) and merlot (29%). Full-coloured, it has very good depth of blackcurrant, plum and herb flavours, a gentle seasoning of French oak (14 months in seasoned barrels)…
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still very youthful, this dark, fragrant, powerful red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (45% new). Full-bodied, it has concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, nutty oak adding complexity, and a long, tightly structured finish. An elegant,…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This very ageworthy, blended red is dominated by cabernet sauvignon (43%) and cabernet franc (41%), with splashes of merlot and malbec. Matured for 16 months in French oak barriques (35% new), it is deeply coloured, full-bodied, fresh and vigorous, with…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill The Gimblett Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot Malbec Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This refined Gimblett Gravels red was matured for over a year in French oak barriques (40% new). Dark and youthful in colour, it is mouthfilling and well-structured, with deep blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity and an inviting fragrance….
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still unfolding, this mouthfilling red has very good depth of vibrant plum, spice and herb flavours, finely balanced tannins and some savoury complexity. Best drinking mid-2020+. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Drinking well now, this single-vineyard red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and barrel-aged for 18 months. Full-coloured, it is fresh, mouthfilling and supple, with generous, berryish, slightly spicy and nutty flavours. $24
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Freshly scented, this fruit-packed red was hand-harvested and matured for a year in French oak barrels (25% new). It has bold, purple-flushed colour, mouthfilling body, generous, plummy, spicy flavours and a gentle seasoning of oak. Best drinking 2021+. $25
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This full-bodied, youthful, single-vineyard red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and barrel-aged for 18 months. Deeply coloured, it has generous, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, woven with fresh acidity, and gentle tannins. Best drinking 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Deeply coloured, this youthful red is a blend of merlot (43%), cabernet sauvignon (36%), cabernet franc (11%), petit verdot (7%) and malbec (3%). Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, it has generous, plummy, spicy flavours, a hint of herbs, and a very smooth…
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Set for a long life, this is a sturdy, fleshy, youthful red, deeply coloured, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding complexity and a firm foundation of tannin. Best drinking 2022+. $40
Comments Off on The Regent of Tantallon Limited Edition Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Grown in the Irongate Vineyard, this fragrant, very elegant Gimblett Gravels red is full-coloured, with excellent body and depth of berryish, spicy flavours. French oak-aged for a year, it is complex and savoury, with good cellaring potential. $35
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
At five years old, this powerful, ripe, very concentrated red is still unfolding. It has deep, fairly youthful colour, with a hint of liquorice on the nose, deep, ripe plum, berry and spice flavours, and good tannin backbone. Weighty, dense…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This vivacious Hawke’s Bay sparkling is a blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, disgorged after a minimum of 18 months on its yeast lees. Bright, light yellow, it is invitingly scented, with fresh, lively grapefruit and peach flavours,…
Comments Off on Leveret IQ Premium Hawke’s Bay Brut NV / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Already hard to resist, this pale gold wine has an intense, honeyed fragrance. Showing lovely depth and harmony, it has concentrated, vibrant, peachy, botrytis-enriched flavours, abundant sweetness, finely poised acidity, and excellent vigour and richness. $30 (375ml)
Comments Off on Esk Valley Late Harvest Hawke’s Bay Chenin Blanc 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still unfolding, this wine was estate-grown at Te Awanga and partly (60%) barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with fresh, citrusy, slightly biscuity flavours, showing good vigour and complexity, and a smooth finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $34…
Comments Off on Elephant Hill Sea Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Fresh, mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, this Havelock North wine was hand-picked and barrel-fermented. It has very good vigour and depth of stonefruit flavours, a subtle seasoning of biscuity oak adding complexity, balanced acidity and some cellaring potential; best drinking mid-2020+. $25
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Freshly scented, this full-bodied wine has very good varietal character and depth of peach, pear and spice flavours, with a finely balanced, smooth finish. Enjoyable from the start. $25
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Very fresh and lively, this single-vineyard, Crownthorpe wine has very good depth of peach, pear and gentle spice flavours, in a vibrantly fruity style with good delicacy and a basically dry finish. $25
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still unfolding, this pale yellow wine has a fragrant, gently spicy bouquet. Fresh and full-bodied, it has strong, peachy, slightly spicy and gingery flavours, showing a touch of complexity, balanced acidity and a dryish finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Attractively perfumed, this is a full-bodied, well-rounded wine with strong stonefruit and spice flavours, gentle acidity and a slightly gingery, off-dry finish. Delicious in its youth, it offers fine value. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Already a lovely mouthful, this is a softly mouthfilling wine, weighty and rich. Bright, light lemon/green, it has concentrated stonefruit flavours, hints of ginger and spices, excellent delicacy and harmony, and an off-dry, lasting finish. $30
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019