Posted: March 7, 2019
Delicious young, this vibrantly fruity, easy-drinking rosé was made from pinot noir, matured on its yeast lees for three months. Pale pink, it has fresh, strong, strawberry and spice flavours, a hint of apricot, and a dryish, smooth finish. $25…
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Rosé 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This full-bodied, generous wine was estate-grown and lees-aged in tanks. Vibrantly fruity, it has strong peach and pear flavours, slightly spicy notes, finely balanced acidity and an off-dry finish. Drink now or cellar. $31 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Still very youthful, this Waipara red was barrique-aged for 10 months. Full, bright ruby, it has good concentration of ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, and a well-structured finish. Best drinking 2021+. $32 (A)
Comments Off on Greystone Nor’Wester by North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
With its lifted, peppery, fragrant bouquet, this is a strongly varietal red. Blended with a splash of viognier (2%) and barrel-aged for 15 months, it is full-coloured and mouthfilling, with very good concentration of fresh, youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, supple,…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Fresh and vivacious, this Marlborough wine was made from pinot noir and matured for two years on its yeast lees. Bright, light pink, it is fragrant, with good intensity of crisp, strawberryish, yeasty, dryish flavours, showing excellent delicacy, balance and…
Comments Off on Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé 2015 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Already drinking well, this attractively perfumed red was hand-picked at Gibbston, Bannockburn and Bendigo, and matured in French oak casks (25% new). Full, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and supple, with vibrant plum, dried herb and spice flavours, showing good…
Comments Off on Soho McQueen Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Showing lots of personality, this bright pink, invitingly scented wine was made solely from pinot noir. Mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, it has good concentration of peachy, strawberryish, spicy flavours, with a dry finish. $26
Comments Off on Scott Base Central Otago Rosé 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This deep ruby, finely structured red was hand-harvested, matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Poised and youthful, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with fresh, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, good…
Comments Off on Maude Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Offering good value, this Bannockburn, Central Otago chardonnay was fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (35% new). Light lemon/green, with a fresh, complex, citrusy, slightly smoky bouquet, it is elegant and youthful, with grapefruit-evoking flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Domain Road Defiance Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Well worth discovering, this weighty wine was hand-picked from mature vines at Gibbston and lees-aged in tanks. Fresh and full-bodied (14.5% alc/vol), it has strong, lively, grapefruit-like flavours, hints of apples and limes, a minerally streak and a crisp, sustained…
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This classy, blended red is dominated by cabernet sauvignon (43%) and cabernet franc (41%), supplemented by merlot (14%) and a splash of malbec (2%). Barrel-matured for 16 months (35% new oak), it is deeply coloured, with fresh, pure, blackcurrant and…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Already drinking well, this rich, complex wine was fermented with indigenous yeasts and aged for a year in French oak puncheons. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant, mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with concentrated, peachy, slightly toasty flavours, balanced acidity, and…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Showing unusual depth for a New Zealand rosé, this pink/very pale red Waipara wine was made entirely from syrah. Mouthfilling, vibrantly fruity and very finely balanced, it has strong berry, plum and spice flavours, vague sweetness, a touch of tannin…
Comments Off on Terrace Edge North Canterbury Rosé 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Hand-picked from vines planted in Central Otago in 1994, this is a great candidate for cellaring. Fresh, tight, intense and minerally, it is medium-bodied, with citrusy, appley flavours, showing lovely delicacy, vibrancy and length. Open 2021+. $32
Comments Off on Maude Mt Vineyard Wanaka Dry Riesling 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
From vines planted in 1994 on a steep, north-facing slope at Wanaka, in Central Otago, this is a Mosel-like wine, light and lively. Showing lovely vibrancy and depth, it is vivacious, with intense peach, lemon and apple flavours, gentle sweetness,…
Comments Off on Maude Mt Vineyard East Block Wanaka Riesling 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Enjoyable young, this medium-bodied wine was grown in the Awatere and upper Wairau valleys and partly (35%) barrel-aged. Bright ruby, it is cherryish and plummy, with distinctly spicy notes, a hint of herbs and some savoury complexity. $25 (A)
Comments Off on Haha Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Deep ruby, this is a medium-bodied, vibrantly fruity red with strong, plummy flavours, a hint of herbs, moderate complexity and a well-rounded finish. Drink now-2020. $25
Comments Off on Tohu Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Deep ruby, this is a full-bodied red with generous, ripe plum/spice flavours, a hint of herbs and gentle tannins. Still very fresh and youthful, it should break into full stride mid-2020+. $25 (US)
Comments Off on Grove Mill Wairau Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Delicious young, this Wairau Valley red was matured for 11 months in French oak barriques. Deep ruby, it is floral, sweet-fruited and supple, with rich, cherryish, plummy flavours, fresh acidity and a very harmonious finish. $27
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Still very youthful, this is a fragrant, ruby hued red. Hand-picked and French oak-aged for 10 months, it is full-bodied, with good density of fresh cherry and plum flavours, a hint of herbs, considerable complexity and a fairly firm finish….
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this is a single-vineyard red, estate-grown in the Awatere Valley. Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and fruit-packed, with vibrant, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing good concentration, and fine-grained tannins. Best drinking 2020+. $35
Comments Off on Tohu Rore Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fleshy, flavoursome, single-vineyard red was grown in the lower Waihopai Valley. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with good concentration of cherry, plum and spice flavours and a smooth finish. Enjoyable now, it should be at its best…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fragrant, youthful red was grown in the Omaka Valley. Bright ruby, it has strong, ripe plum/spice flavours, with nutty, savoury notes adding complexity, and a structured, finely balanced finish. Best drinking 2020+. $27
Comments Off on Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Offering good value, this fragrant, full-bodied wine is drinking well now. Bright ruby, it is sweet-fruited and savoury, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity. $23 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a bold style of pinot noir, weighty and deeply coloured. Hand-picked and matured for 14 months in French oak barriques, it is packed with youthful, cherryish, plummy, slightly spicy and herbal flavours, fresh and concentrated. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on Vavasour Felix’s Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Grown in the lower reaches of the Waihopai Valley, this is a mouthfilling, concentrated, very youthful red. Deep ruby, it has strong, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, savoury notes and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking 2021+. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Built to last, this very youthful red was estate-grown at Fairhall, south-west of Blenheim. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, vibrant, ripe berry and spice flavours, nutty and earthy notes adding complexity, and obvious potential. Best drinking 2021+. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a bold, upfront style of pinot noir, matured for 10 months in French oak casks (40% new). Deeply coloured, it is fresh, mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with strong, ripe, plummy flavours and even a hint of liquorice. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this powerful young red was grown in the Waihopai Valley and matured in French oak barriques (33% new). Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and concentrated, with strong, ripe plum, spice and slight herb flavours, showing good complexity,…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a very graceful, ‘complete’ red. Deep ruby, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is weighty, sweet-fruited and supple, with deep cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, earthy, savoury notes adding complexity and a long, finely textured finish. Already…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This classy, elegant, strongly varietal red was grown in Benmorven Vineyard, west of Blenheim. Bright ruby, it is very fresh, lively and supple, with strong, ripe, cherryish flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, good complexity, and a finely textured, poised, persistent…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 23 Master Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This powerful red was grown in the Southern Valleys, hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Deeply coloured, with a fragrant, fruit-packed bouquet, it is full-bodied, rich and flowing, with concentrated…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Full of youthful charm, this is a bright pink, fragrant wine with fresh, lively strawberry and watermelon flavours, refreshing acidity and a dry finish. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Rosé Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a ‘serious’ style of rosé, made from pinot noir grown in the upper Wairau Valley and fermented to dryness. A fresh, medium-bodied wine, it is pink/pale orange, with strong peach and strawberry flavours, hints of spices, balanced acidity…
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This vivacious, drink-young charmer was made entirely from pinot noir. Light pink, it is full-bodied, with strong flavours of watermelon, strawberry and spice, a hint of peach, a dry finish, and lovely depth and harmony. $23 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Rosé 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Drinking well now, this is a lively, medium-bodied wine, with very good depth of fresh, citrusy, peachy flavours, hints of ginger and spice, and a dry, smooth finish. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Maturing gracefully, this estate-grown, Awatere Valley wine was fermented and matured in old French oak casks. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and dry, with good intensity of ripely herbaceous flavours, slightly toasty notes adding complexity and a finely textured,…
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2014 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Already delicious, but well worth cellaring, this Mosel-like wine was grown in the lower Brancott Valley and stop-fermented to make a medium-sweet style. Vivacious, light (9% alc/vol) and appetisingly crisp, with citrusy, appley flavours, showing excellent freshness, delicacy and intensity,…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 9 Big John Marlborough Riesling 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fragrant, mouthfilling wine is probably at its peak. Estate-grown in the Southern Valleys, it has strong, peachy, slightly spicy and gingery flavours, developing bottle-aged complexity, and a dryish, lingering finish. $23
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This Alsace-style pinot gris is full-bodied and generous. Pale straw, it is a strongly varietal wine, with very good weight and depth of peachy, slightly spicy flavours and a slightly sweet, rounded, very harmonious finish. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards The Pointer Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Delicious young, this is an organically certified wine, estate-grown in the Awatere Valley. Attractively scented, it is fresh and full-bodied, with strong, pure pear, peach and spice flavours, gentle acidity, vague sweetness, a slightly oily texture and a well-rounded finish….
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Full of youthful drive, this finely scented, full-bodied wine was mostly handled in tanks; 10% of the blend spent 4 months in old French oak casks. It has rich peach, pear and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy and vibrancy, a…
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fleshy, finely textured wine was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Awatere Valley. Bright, light lemon/green, it is youthful and concentrated, with excellent weight and mouthfeel, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, a vaguely toasty note adding complexity and a…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a powerful, fleshy, rich style of pinot gris. Hand-harvested and mostly fermented with indigenous yeasts in old French barriques, it has an invitingly fragrant, complex bouquet, leading into a weighty palate with concentrated stonefruit flavours, hints of spices…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Skilfully crafted, this ‘fruit-driven’ chardonnay was grown in the Wairau Valley and fermented in a mix of tanks and French and American oak barrels. Mouthfilling, it is vibrantly fruity, with very good depth of grapefruit and peach flavours, finely balanced…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a ‘full-on’ style of chardonnay, grown mostly in the Omaka Valley and fermented and matured in American – rather than French – oak barrels. Invitingly fragrant, it has rich stonefruit flavours, strongly seasoned with toasty oak, slightly smoky…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Offering terrific value, this elegant, single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barriques. Light lemon/green, it is fresh and youthful, with a smoky bouquet , good weight and strong, grapefruit-like flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This classy, tightly structured young wine was estate-grown and barrel-fermented. Already delicious, it is weighty, with a citrusy fragrance, layers of grapefruit, peach and finely integrated oak flavours, and excellent delicacy, drive and length. Best 2020+. $40 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Vavasour Anna’s Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a lovely young wine, with good potential. Grown in the Omaka Valley and fermented in French oak barriques, it has a fragrant, complex bouquet, leading into a generous, vibrant, very harmonious palate. Fresh and full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe,…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This stylish wine has a real sense of youthful vigour. A powerful wine from a warm season, it was hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts in French barriques (20% new), and oak-aged for 18 months. Fragrant and sturdy, it has fresh,…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / March 7, 2019