Posted: March 7, 2023
A nose of cassis, chocolate and mint with a grippy, slightly green, varietal fruit palate.
Comments Off on Haselgrove First Cut McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
A tannic wine layered with plum and mulberry fruit, spices and hints of eucalyptus
Comments Off on Haselgrove First Cut McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
A golden wine with restrained fruit, toasty oak and secondary notes developing.
Comments Off on Haselgrove Staff Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
A dark purple hued wine lifted with aromas of plums and raspberries and some spicy elements. The dense black fruit palate has lots of toasty oak and plenty of chewy tannins.
Comments Off on Capital Wines The Ambassador Riverina Tempranillo 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
A lifted layered style; all confectionery raspberries and citrus fruit characters.
Comments Off on Kosciuszko Wines Tumbarumba Sangiovese Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Drinking well in its youth, but also worth cellaring, this full-coloured, savoury red has a fragrant, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling and supple, it has excellent depth of ripe plum, black pepper and nutty oak flavours, showing very good complexity and harmony….
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Probably at its peak, this middleweight wine has ruby, slightly developed colour. Savoury and supple, it has good but not great depth of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, and a well-rounded finish. $33
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Matua Single Vineyard Upper Moutere Nelson Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Drinking well in its youth, this single-vineyard red was grown at Bannockburn. Ruby hued, it is full-bodied and supple, with good depth of ripe fruit flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and a very harmonious, silky-smooth finish. $32 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Invivo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Very harmonious and savoury, this estate-grown wine was hand-picked and matured in French oak barriques. Deep, bright ruby, it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with excellent depth of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of herbs, and a well-rounded…
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Upper Awatere Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Well worth cellaring, this deep ruby red was grown at two sites in the Waihopai Valley, hand-picked and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (partly new). Highly fragrant, it is full-bodied, with youthful, complex, concentrated flavours, savoury and…
Comments Off on Jackson Estate Vintage Widow Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Forward in its appeal, this highly attractive red was grown at two sites and matured for a year in oak barrels (21% new). Ruby hued, with a hint of development, it is mouthfilling and supple, with generous, ripe cherry, herb…
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Estate-grown at Te Muna, this deeply coloured red was hand-picked and matured for 10 months in seasoned French oak barrels. Mouthfilling, it has concentrated, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, gently seasoned with oak, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh acidity…
Comments Off on Butterworth Layline Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Silky-textured, this youthful red was hand-harvested and matured for nearly a year in French oak barriques (30% new). Deep, bright ruby, it has a fragrant, savoury bouquet. Mouthfilling, it has generous, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This pale pink rosé is from pinot noir, estate-grown in the lower Rapaura district, in the Wairau Valley. Youthful, fresh and lively, it is medium-bodied and dry, with gentle peach, strawberry and spice flavours, showing good delicacy and depth. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Instantly appealing, this vigorous, bright pink wine is very fresh and lively. It has strong peach, strawberry and watermelon flavours, with a hint of apricot, balanced acidity and a finely balanced, dry finish. $28 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir Rosé 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Closed with a crown seal, this ‘naturally sparkling’ wine was ‘bottled before primary ferment completed’. Unfined and unfiltered, with no added sulphur, it has a light straw colour. Very vigorous, it has strong, fresh, lemony, appley flavours, gentle yeasty notes,…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Pétillant Naturel 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This characterful wine was made from pinot noir and disgorged after 50 months on its yeast lees. Pale orange, it is crisp and vigorous, with strong strawberry, peach and spice flavours, showing very good complexity, and a dryish, yeasty, finely…
Comments Off on Tohu Rewa Méthode Traditionnelle Rosé 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Still very youthful, this attractively scented wine was estate-grown and hand-harvested. Pale and light-bodied, it has strong, vigorous lemon/apple flavours, with fractional sweetness finely balanced by crisp, appetising acidity. Best drinking 2024+. $35
Comments Off on Butterworth Te Muna Martinborough Dry Riesling 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Already enjoyable, this light lemon/green, medium-bodied wine has ripe, peachy flavours, fresh and generous, appetising acidity, a very easy-drinking balance and a persistent finish. Best drinking 2024+. $28
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Riesling 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This full-bodied, rich riesling was hand-harvested, fermented in an even split of tanks and old French oak barriques, and then lees-aged for another six months in old barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it has strong personality, with deep, peachy flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Certified organic, this distinctive wine was hand-picked with some ‘noble rot’ influence. Bright, light lemon/green, it is invitingly scented and full-bodied, with rich, peachy, vaguely honeyed flavours. Made in a medium style, with balanced acidity, it’s a very harmonious wine,…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Riesling 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Invitingly scented, this medium to full-bodied wine was hand-picked in local growers’ vineyards and fermented in seasoned French oak barriques. Light lemon/green, it has generous, peachy, spicy flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a soft, dryish finish. It’s drinking well now….
Comments Off on Butterworth Layline Martinborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Delicious young, this is a powerful, sturdy wine, attractively scented, with generous, ripe peach and lychee flavours, fresh acidity and an off-dry, finely balanced finish. Best drinking mid-2023+. $28
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This powerful wine was hand-picked, mostly fermented in old French barriques, then fully aged for another six months in old barrels. Weighty and vigorous, it has concentrated, peachy, spicy flavours, showing impressive complexity, and a long, off-dry, very harmonious finish….
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This richly scented, estate-grown wine was hand-picked and 30% of the blend was fermented in seasoned oak barrels. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, very fresh and vibrant, with concentrated, ripe peach, pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing a distinct…
Comments Off on Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Gris 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
A drink-now or cellaring proposition, this wine was hand-harvested and fermented in old French oak puncheons. Bright, light yellow/green, it shows very good complexity, with strong, peachy, gently toasty flavours, and a very harmonious finish. $38
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Upper Awatere Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Still youthful, this wine was hand-harvested, and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak barriques (16% new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a distinctly smoky bouquet, it is full-bodied, with strong, vigorous, peachy, citrusy flavours, fresh, lively acidity and…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This fragrant, full-bodied wine was matured for 11 months in oak barrels (16% new). Offering strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with oak, it is savoury, with very good depth, vigour, complexity and harmony, and a lengthy finish. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Dicey Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This very harmonious wine has a fragrant, slightly buttery bouquet. Grown principally at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley, it was fermented and matured for eight months in seasoned French oak barriques. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Creamy-textured and savoury, this single-vineyard wine was fermented and matured for a year in French oak barrels (15% new). Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, it is youthful, with strong, ripe, stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, very good complexity and fresh,…
Comments Off on Butterworth Te Muna Martinborough Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Offering very good value, this estate-grown wine was hand-picked and barrel-fermented. Bright yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with rich, ripe stonefruit flavours, buttery, toasty notes adding complexity, balanced acidity and a savoury, finely balanced finish. Delicious drinking now onwards. $33
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Matua Single Vineyard Upper Moutere Nelson Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Already drinking well, this organically certified wine was hand-picked, and fermented and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new). The bouquet is fragrant and complex; the palate mouthfilling and savoury, with deep stonefruit flavours, finely integrated oak,…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Drinking well in its youth, this wine was made from local growers’ grapes. Light lemon/green, it is fresh and lively, in a medium-bodied style with tropical fruit flavours to the fore, gentle herbal notes, crisp acidity and very good depth….
Comments Off on Butterworth Layline Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Full of youthful impact, this estate-grown wine was partly barrel-fermented. Mouthfilling and zesty, it has penetrating, clearly herbaceous flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. $26
Comments Off on Tohu Whenua Awa Single Vineyard Upper Awatere Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Grown at three sites at Dillons Point, this is a high impact, vibrant wine with incisive tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium to full-bodied, with a green-edged, crisp finish. $34 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Wairau Reserve Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Fresh and punchy, this Dillons Point wine is bright, light lemon/green, with strong herbaceous and tropical fruit flavours. Medium to full-bodied, with slightly salty notes, it has appetising acidity and a persistent finish. $27 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 3 43 Degrees Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This aromatic, vigorous, single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point. Medium-bodied, it is strongly varietal, with very good intensity of tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, a vaguely salty streak, and a fully dry, appetisingly crisp finish. $25
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This intensely varietal, single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley. Bright, light lemon/green, it is a fresh, aromatic, medium to full-bodied style, with punchy, tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, slightly salty notes and a crisp,…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Full of youthful vigour, this single-vineyard, Wairau Valley wine was harvested from 23 year-old vines and handled in a 2:1 mix of stainless steel tanks and seasoned oak puncheons. Bright, light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours,…
Comments Off on Deep Down Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Still very lively, this single-vineyard, estate-grown wine was fermented and matured in French oak casks. Light lemon/green, it is medium to full-bodied, with fresh, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing very good complexity, lively acidity and a savoury, lingering finish. Best…
Comments Off on Butterworth Te Muna Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
From a coastal site 70 km south of Blenheim, this is a high impact Marlborough sauvignon blanc. Bright, light lemon/green, it has strong personality, with a slightly salty streak and penetrating passionfruit/lime flavours, crisp and dry. $25 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Allan Scott [Black Label] Kekerengu Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Grown in the lower Rapaura district, in the Wairau Valley, this is a full-bodied, dry wine with excellent intensity. Bright, light lemon/green, it has ripe, tropical fruit flavours of pineapple, passionfruit and lime, fresh, lively, dry and lingering. $27
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 6 Oh! Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Fermented and matured in French oak barriques (mostly old), this wine is drinking well now, but still unfolding. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and harmonious, with concentrated, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and a savoury, tightly…
Comments Off on Greywacke Wild Sauvignon Marlborough 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
This fresh, highly aromatic wine was grown in the central Wairau Valley and Southern Valleys, and mostly handled in tanks, with some indigenous yeast fermentation in old oak barrels. Full-bodied, it is very lively, with concentrated, ripely herbaceous flavours, a…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Showing excellent weight and harmony, this fragrant wine was fermented and matured on its full yeast lees for seven months in oak barriques. Bright yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with deep, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, gently seasoned with nutty oak, and…
Comments Off on Greystone Organic Waipara Valley North Canterbury Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Black fruit pastille of a nose with cigar box oak and herbaceous subtlety. Lovely palate – great balance and persistence of red fruit and spicy oak flavours.
Comments Off on Jilyara Honeycomb Corner Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Dense, almost black, wine with a crimson edge. Spicy red fruits lift off the nose and lovely spicy richness fills the palate with a good acid line.
Comments Off on Byron & Harold Rose & Thorn Great Southern Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Plush cola fruit bouquet and a velvety palate with a slippery texture and bright fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Byron & Harold Rose & Thorn Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Well-made commercial style. Toasty nutty nose and vibrant zesty fruit palate with subtle use of oak.
Comments Off on Byron & Harold Rags to Riches Margaret River Chardonnay 2022 / 0 View / March 7, 2023
Posted: March 7, 2023
Ribena-like aromas with more of a savoury fruity European style of palate.
Comments Off on Peos Estate Four Kings Manjimup Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / March 7, 2023