Posted: November 7, 2018
Well worth cellaring, this deeply coloured, vibrantly fruity red is medium-bodied, with a slightly earthy bouquet. Moderately firm, with oak complexity and very good depth, it should be at its best 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Blended from almost equal portions of cabernet sauvignon (51%) and merlot (49%), this full-coloured red is still youthful. Mouthfilling, it is fresh, vibrantly fruity and firmly structured, with strong berry, plum and spice flavours. Open 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Fragrant, fresh and full-bodied, this elegant red was hand-picked from mature, 21-year-old vines in the company’s Mere Road Vineyard. Likely to be at its best from 2021 onwards, it has strong, vibrant, ripe-ripened blackcurrant and plum flavours, spicy and nutty…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
From the company’s vineyard in Mere Road, this is a youthful, full-coloured, medium to full-bodied red. Fresh and vibrant, it is sweet-fruited, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum and slight nut flavours, refined tannins and oak complexity. $50
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering very good value, this is an ageworthy blend of cabernet sauvignon (53%) and merlot (47%). The colour is deep and bright; the palate full-bodied and refined, with concentrated berry, plum and spice flavours, complex, savoury and structured. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Densely coloured, this is a fragrant, vibrantly fruity, still very youthful red. Full-bodied and supple, it is highly concentrated, with well-ripened blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, long and smooth. Best drinking 2021+. $50
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Set for the long haul, this bold 70/30 blend was matured for 18 months in French oak casks (35% new). Dense and youthful in colour, it is full-bodied, with highly concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, braced by firm tannins,…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to flourish for a decade, this elegant red has deep, youthful colour. Fragrant and supple, with strong blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated French oak and a savoury, sustained finish, it’s a classic ‘Bordeaux-style’ red, showing impressive complexity…
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Cabernet Merlot Franc 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This youthful blend (two-thirds merlot) was matured for 18 months in barrels (40% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with fresh plum, spice and herb flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, smooth tannins and very good depth. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This powerful young red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Deeply coloured, it has good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, good tannin backbone, and a hint of dark chocolate. Best 2020+. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Well worth cellaring, this blend of merlot (54%) and malbec (46%) was matured in French oak barrels. Full-coloured, it is fresh and vibrant, with strong, ripe plum and spice flavours, finely balanced tannins and savoury notes adding complexity. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels /Malbec Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This refined, generous and youthful red has full, purple-flushed colour. Fresh and full-bodied, it has concentrated plum and blackcurrant flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak and fine-grained tannins. Well worth cellaring, it should be at its best 2020+. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Gimblett Gravels Merlot/ Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This ageworthy, medium-bodied red was hand-picked in the Mere Road Vineyard and matured for 17 months in French oak casks (34% new). Deep ruby, it is fragrant and vibrant, with strong, youthful blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, seasoned with quality…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Well worth cellaring, this estate-grown red was matured for 18 months in barrels (50% new). Deeply coloured, it is full-bodied, with fresh, deep, plummy, spicy flavours, ripe and savoury, and a finely textured, persistent finish. Best drinking 2020+. $32
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Merlot/Cabernet Franc//Malbec Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this refined, concentrated red was grown in the Omahu Gravels Vineyard and matured for 18 months in French oak casks (28% new). Dense and youthful in colour, it is fragrant and supple, with rich, well-ripened plum and spice…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to be long-lived, this full-coloured, Gimblett Gravels red was estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Fragrant, with a warm, ripe, savoury bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, plummy, spicy, nutty flavours, showing excellent structure and complexity, and good tannin backbone….
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Full of flavour, this is an organically certified wine, from merlot hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels. Pale pink, it is fragrant, fresh and medium-bodied, with very generous, strawberryish flavours, hints of spices and peaches, and a basically dry finish. $30
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Braided Gravels Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Instantly appealing, this is a single-vineyard, Gimblett Gravels wine. Bright, light lemon/green, it shows good varietal character, in a medium-bodied style with strong, fresh, peachy, gently spicy flavours, dry and smooth. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Full of personality, this is a weighty, medium-dry style, fermented in tanks and old oak barrels (15%). Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied, with fresh, strong, peachy, spicy, slightly gingery flavours, showing excellent ripeness and complexity. Drink now or cellar….
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This Alsace-style pinot gris is delicious young. Ripely scented, it is full-bodied, rich and smooth, with a gentle splash of sweetness and concentrated peach, pear, ginger and spice flavours. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this fresh, youthful wine was estate-grown at Crownthorpe and matured for a year in barrels (partly new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a toasty bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with balanced acidity and strong, peachy, slightly buttery flavours, showing considerable…
Comments Off on Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable young, this regional blend was mostly (87%) fermented and aged for seven months in casks, mostly (75%) French) and partly (27%) new. Full-bodied, it is generous, peachy and smooth, with a slightly creamy texture and savoury notes adding complexity….
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Drinking well from now onwards, this very harmonious wine was grown on the Heretaunga Plains and barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with ripe stonefruit flavours seasoned with oak, good concentration and a buttery, smooth finish. $22
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Plainsman Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Grown near Havelock North, this barrel-fermented wine has a fragrant, biscuity, toasty bouquet. A strongly oak-influenced style, it has generous, ripe, peachy fruit flavours, with buttery, mealy notes adding complexity. Best drinking mid-2019+. $25
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Limeworks Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Worth cellaring, this well-priced wine was fermented and matured for 10 months in barrels (35% new). Light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, fresh and dry, with balanced acidity and ripe, peachy, toasty flavours, showing very good complexity and depth. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still very youthful, this is a refined, delicate wine with a light lemon/green hue, fresh, strong grapefruit and peach flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, and obvious potential for cellaring. Best drinking 2020+. $32
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Worth tracking down, this is an unusually complex wine in its price category. Bright, light lemon/green, with a smoky bouquet, it is full-bodied, with strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, hints of butterscotch and gunflint, finely integrated oak, and very good vigour…
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This is a refined, fragrant, tightly structured wine, well worth cellaring. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium to full-bodied, with youthful, ripe, citrusy, peachy flavours, finely integrated oak and a mealy, lasting finish. Best drinking mid-2019+. $50
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This fleshy, high-flavoured wine was fermented and matured for over a year in French and American oak casks, to ‘pay tribute to the famous old school style, with lashings of toasty oak.’ Light lemon/green, with an oaky, creamy bouquet, it…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Bespoke Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still very youthful, this single-vineyard, barrel-fermented wine was estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with strong grapefruit and peach flavours, finely integrated oak adding complexity and a long finish. A very harmonious wine, it’s still a…
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still very youthful, this mouthfilling, tightly structured wine is bright, light lemon/green, with a fragrant, smoky bouquet. Concentrated and complex, with fresh, grapefruit-like flavours to the fore, some peachy notes, and mealy, biscuity notes adding richness, it should break into…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A model of refinement, this classy young wine was fermented and matured in French oak puncheons (35% new). It has a fragrant, slightly smoky bouquet, leading into a vibrant wine with grapefruit-like flavours to the fore, a subtle seasoning of…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Already delicious, this debut vintage was hand-picked from mature vines and fermented and lees-aged for 11 months in French oak barriques (40% new). Light lemon/green, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is weighty, with highly concentrated grapefruit and peach flavours,…
Comments Off on Smith & Sheth Cru Heretaunga Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Delicious now, but still developing, this rich, pale straw wine was fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak hogsheads (46% new). Mouthfilling, it is weighty and sweet-fruited, with concentrated stonefruit and toasty oak flavours to the fore, and…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A classic regional style, this sturdy, rich wine was hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant, with a hint of gunflint. The flavours are deep, ripe and peachy, with excellent complexity…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering fine value, this very stylish young wine was fermented in French oak barrels (40% new). Light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, fresh and lively, with strong, citrusy, peachy, slightly smoky and nutty flavours, and lovely delicacy and length. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This fresh, medium-bodied wine was hand-picked at two sites and mostly handled in tanks; 22 per cent of the blend was barrel-fermented and lees-stirred weekly. A restrained style, it has good depth of vibrant, citrusy, slightly appley flavours. $23 (A,…
Comments Off on Domain Road Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This ‘blanc de noir’ is a very pale pink wine, made from estate-grown, hand-harvested pinot noir. Offering very easy drinking, it is fresh and smooth, in an off-dry style with vibrant, peachy, spicy flavours, showing very good delicacy and depth….
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Blondie Central Otago 2018 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Ruby hued, with a hint of development, this is a mouthfilling, supple red, with cherry, plum and spice flavours that flow to a very smooth finish. Ready to roll. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Waimea Nelson Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Full-bodied and smooth, this is a drink-young charmer. Deep ruby, it is vibrantly fruity, with a slightly earthy streak and generous, cherryish, plummy flavours. $25
Comments Off on Summerhouse Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable young, this is a vibrant, fruit-driven style, sweet-fruited, with fresh, generous, berryish flavours to the fore, a restrained oak influence and gentle tannins. Best drinking mid-2019+. $25
Comments Off on Rapaura Springs Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable now, this bright ruby, fragrant, sweet-fruited red is a moderately complex style, with very good flavour depth and a well-rounded finish. $30 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Hard to resist in its infancy, this Central Otago pinot noir was late harvested and stop-fermented with 146 grams/litre of residual sugar. Pale red, it is deliciously fruity, sweet and smooth, with rich, berryish, plummy flavours. A distinctive wine, it’s…
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Tickled Pink (375ml) 2018 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Looking good for this summer, this vivacious rosé was made from estate-grown pinot noir. Bright pink, it is full-bodied, with strong, vibrant, strawberryish, spicy flavours, finely balanced for easy drinking. $27 (A)
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Central Otago Rosé 2018 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Fragrant and full-bodied, this Cromwell Basin wine was hand-picked and mostly tank-fermented; 26% of the blend was fermented in seasoned French oak barrels. Made in an off-dry style, it is weighty, with vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing excellent…
Comments Off on Wooing Tree Central Otago Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Attractively perfumed, this full-bodied wine has strong pear, lychee and spice flavours, gentle sweetness and acidity, and excellent harmony. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Waimea Nelson Gewurztraminer 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Drinking well now but also worth cellaring, this is a full-bodied, sweet-fruited wine, bright, light lemon/green, with generous, stonefruit flavours to the fore and considerable complexity. Good value. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Waimea Nelson Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering good value, this blend of Pisa (50%), Bendigo (39%) and Gibbston (11%) grapes was matured in seasoned French oak barrels. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and fruit-packed, with strong, plummy, spicy flavours, gentle tannins and lots of drink-young charm. Best…
Comments Off on Saddleback Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Drinking well now, this vibrant, medium-bodied wine was fermented in a 2:1 mix of tanks and French oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it has crisp, dry, tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, with a gentle seasoning of oak adding complexity, and excellent…
Comments Off on Rockburn Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018