Posted: November 9, 2017
A big, ripe style of Syrah with red plum and boysenberry fruit and a touch of cracked pepper. The flavours are rich and concentrated and lead to a long, lingering finish. $50.00
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Impenetrable colour. Quite a bit of oak here though there is some savoury leather and game starting to show alongside the fruit. Silky tannins support. Great length. $50.00
Comments Off on Mission Jewelstone Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Still fairly youthful and primary with masses of cracked pepper, violets and plum. A very pure style of Syrah that shows so much concentration and intensity. There is plenty of potential here. $25.00
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely juicy floral notes of redcurrant, raspberry and a little bit of smoky bacon in the background. Sweetly fruited, bright and juicy with just a wee hint of tannin in the background. Super delicious and fun, not going to make…
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very pretty and peppery. Plenty of blackberry and plum fruit but attractive, expansive nose allows hints of lavender and violets to peep through. Definite note of warmth from alcohol, a powerfully fruited wine that has excellent concentration and length. $25.00
Comments Off on Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Strongly aromatic; floral rose petal and lavender. Very pure, focused style of Syrah, not the most concentrated wine but beautifully judged with peppery, plummy fruit supported by silky, finely grained tannin. $25.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Fruit slightly subdued at first but opens up in the glass to reveal some pretty doris plum and blueberry. A very ripe style, tannins are well judged and though they are fairly bold, they are well integrated. Excellent length. $28.00
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Showing quite a bit of bottle development; lots of sweet fruit, gentle leafy flavours and a touch of ripe tannin. Perfect right now but needs drinking soon. $28.00
Comments Off on Pukeora Ruahine Range Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very pretty aroma; school ink, ripe raspberry fruit and a touch of melting chocolate
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very fragrant, packed with lovely lifted floral and raspberry fruit. Some white pepper and violet florals too. Decadent and juicy with a soft, plump generous palate. Really very lovely. $25.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very lifted blueberry and red plum with a real juicy sweetness to the aroma. Tannins bite in halfway through. Not overtly concentrated but attractive. $25.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Starting to show just a bit of age, with red fruits definitely but also an edge of leather and leaf starting to creep in. Firm on the palate, lots of chewy tannin but just enough fruit to support. Attractive drinking…
Comments Off on Pask Merlot 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very bright and fresh with plenty of raspberry and red plum fruit, a silky texture and low impact tannins. Not particularly complex but lots of “drink me me now” appeal. A fun, exuberant wine. $24.90
Comments Off on Saint Clair Premium Hawkes Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very polished aroma; vanilla and coconut with blueberry and doris plum too. A layer of chewy tannin lays right across the palate giving structure. There is real concentration and intensity suggesting this is a great candidate for the cellar. $30.00
Comments Off on Te Awa Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
No mistaking the oak here; huge amount of toast, vanilla and sweet spice. Plenty of fruit underneath; dark berry and plum with orange curacao notes. Big, chewy and dense with a long finish. $28.00
Comments Off on Pukeora Ruahine Range The Benches 2013 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Massive opulent wine showing huge exotic almost wild notes of blueberry spice, red liquorice and star anise. Complex multi dimensional wine. Well judged tannins support rather than overwhelm the fruit. Plenty to like here. $30.00
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Big, bold and opulently fruited with plenty of cinnamon and sweet spice oak in support. Generously fruited with lovely density and some sweet slippery tannins to support. Not the boldest wine but pretty and restrained. $50.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Starting to show a little maturity, the dark berry and doris plum fruit has been joined by notes of savoury leather and spice. A concentrated yet elegant wine that has a lovely backbone of tannin. Good length. $33.00
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Triangle Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Sweet vanilla oak tis he most noticeable feature of the nose; overlaying the red plum and berry fruit. Tannins are well judged. Not too bold, well executed with a delightful silky quality to the fruit. Long, though admittedly quite oaky,…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely bright juicy blueberry fruit. A firm background of tannin coming through, just a bit grippy at this stage but should ensure wine develops well. $50.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Really pretty; some dark cherry and berry fruit. Touch of new oak at the back. Blueberry and sweet spice. A little grip of tannin coming through. Reasonably fleshy and bright, not particularly lengthy but attractive drinking for the middle term….
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very lifted blackcurrant fruit with a touch of florals too. Crisply fruited with firm acidity, powdery tannins across the palate. Just a wee bit dilute. $40.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Bespoke Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Intensely coloured with a big bold aroma; blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, with an appealing hint of graphite starting to emerge. Very polished and bold, good spine of both acid and tannin yet palate retains lovely grip and density. Quite an…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A very appealing aroma with a delightful touch of capsicum and leaf sitting alongside fresh blackcurrant fruit. Some violet florals too. Tannins are there but finely grained and although quite big in volume, more than balanced by weight of fruit….
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Deeply fruited with plenty of dark berry and cassis fruit, a serious amount of oak and a firm, fine grained tannic backbone. A big powerful wine that has masses of concentration and power but needs time in bottle to really…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Not as opulent as some, this is a tightly bound, restrained chardonnay that has a strong grapefruit and lime character. Hint of cinnamon oak supports the fruit. Lovely mouthwatering acidity. $35.00
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
An understated style; there is a hint of oak on the nose plus some rock melon and pear. Decent length and intensity. Nice to see a wine with a little age. $28.50
Comments Off on Alchemy Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Just starting to take on some attractive bottle developed characters of toast and smoke to sit alongside those of white peach and melon. A bold, powerful wine with plenty of character. $40.00
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A lighter, understated style of chardonnay with aromas of citrus and nectarine. Attractive ripe fruit on the palate with hints of creamed corn and melting butter. $22.00
Comments Off on Askerne Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Brightly fruited with some greengage plum and red apple. There is quite a bit of oak which gives a faint moccha/affogato note on the palate. Good length. $40.00
Comments Off on Mission Jewelstone Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Some just-ripe white stonefruit with a little grapefruit too. Attractive touch of new oak and hint of gunflint supported by a line of acidity running right through the palate. Lovely length and persistence of flavour. $25.00
Comments Off on Pask Small Batch Wild Yeast Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Hint of reduction, gunflint and struck match but well done. Underneath some grapefruit, lemon and just-ripe stonefruit. Nice mealy complexity with nougat and smoke, not too much, just adds a layer of interest. Good acid spine. $25.00
Comments Off on Mission Estate Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A powerful bold wine; lots of smoky bacon, cashew, melting butter on the nose leading to a flinty, tightly bound palate. There was discussion as to whether there was too much of the gunflint character but in the end we…
Comments Off on Te Awa Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Pungently aromatic; nougat, struck match, and a wee hint of gunflint reduction. There is some attractive white fleshed nectarine and apricot fruit too. Definite note of struck match continues on the palate, enough to maintain interest without becoming offensive. Long…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Hawkes Bay Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A more restrained take on the reductive style of Chardonnay. Charming aromas of melting butter, toasted cashew and nougat with a touch of flinty struck match underneath. Plenty of citrus and just-ripe stone fruit on the palate with a beautiful…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
There is so much going on in this wine; aromas of acacia flower, nougat, melting butter and cashew sit alongside those of gunflint and smoke. A definite note of reduction with some smoky bacon edging in. Masses of flavour but…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Keltern Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A definite note of gunflint, struck match reduction with some ripe, white fleshed fruit lying beneath. Attractive red grapefruit too. Mouthwatering thread of acidity balances the creamy texture. Excellent length. Very impressive. $26.60
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A lighter style of viognier with some attractive musk and jasmine aromas. Very slightly off dry though finishes clean and crisp. $22.00
Comments Off on Askerne Viognier 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A deeply coloured wine with aromas of ripe pear, apple and a touch of honey too. Massive wine; fairly sweet with touches of mango, grilled pineapple and honey. Big and luxurious, almost a late harvest style. $26.60
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A barrel fermented sauvignon blanc with aromas of bran biscuit, cinnamon and nutmeg weaving through the fresh pear and red apple fruit. Bone dry with plenty of texture. A complex style of sauvignon done well. $26.60
Comments Off on Church Road Mc Donald Series Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
An intriguing wine; lightly floral with some orange blossom, quince and marzipan biscotti notes. Attractive musky, generous flavours with touches of tropical mango and papaya. Delightful. $35.00
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Marsanne Viognier 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Strongly influenced by new oak which gives a real charry, affogatto note on the nose. Big chewy and densely fruited. $37.90
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 22 Barn Block Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Attractive aromas of cherry and plum with quite a bit of oak overlaying the fruit. This is built for the long haul; firm tannins give structure so whilst this Otago Pinot is not so approachable now, it has the density…
Comments Off on Aurum Organic Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very lightly aromatic, with fruit aromas sitting in the red spectrum. Just a hint of bottle development coming through giving a forest floor, gamey edge. $37.90
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctors Creek Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Youthful red cherry and plum aromas lead to a creamy, brightly fruited palate. Not particularly concentrated but balanced with a clean, crisp finish. $23.00
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Pinot Rosé 2017 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A light bodied fresh style of chardonnay with a floral, almost cucumber-like quality to the fruit. Subtle lees influence and some ageing in older oak has added a degree of complexity. $24.50
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Nice purity of fruit, not particularly concentrated but subtle oak means the wine retains fragrance and vibrancy. Ready for drinking now. $29.00
Comments Off on Catalina Sounds Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely bright red fruits on the nose, with a touch of florals. Not a powerful wine but instead a pretty, silky one with a core of sweet fruit. $29.95
Comments Off on Fifth Bridge Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A full-flavoured, softly textured chardonnay with plenty of ripe, fleshy stone-fruit sitting alongside some sizzling butter and cashew notes. $30.00
Comments Off on Misty Cove Signature Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017