Posted: June 16, 2017
Powerful, pale straw blend of equal portions of Martinborough pinot noir and chardonnay. Rich, peachy, yeasty, slightly toasty flavours, faintly buttery, lively and lasting. Very generous, with impressive complexity.
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Methode Traditionnelle 2009 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Beautifully fragrant, estate-grown red, from vines planted at Wanaka in 1994. Deep ruby, with fresh plum, spice and cherry flavours, showing lovely richness, harmony and complexity. An obvious candidate for cellaring; open 2017+.
Comments Off on Maude Mt Maude Vineyard Wanaka Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured and fresh, with good depth of plum, cherry, spice and dried herb flavours and ripe, supple tannins.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Ruby hued, with fresh plum, spice and dried herb flavours. Medium-bodied style, lively and sweet-fruited, with moderate depth and complexity.
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Light ruby. Supple, with fresh, lively cherry, plum, spice and herb flavours. Medium-bodied, with a spicy oak influence and gentle tannins.
Comments Off on Stoneleigh Latitude Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Fresh, lively, sweet-fruited red, partly barrel-aged, with satisfying depth of plum and spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity. Medium-bodied, with drink-young charm.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Vicar’s Choice Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Light ruby, moderately concentrated red with some maturity. Sweet-fruited, with a touch of earthy complexity. Certified organic.
Comments Off on Highfield Marlborough Pinot Noir 2011 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Elegant, with cherry, spice and dried herb flavours showing good depth and some bottle-aged complexity. Drinking well now.
Comments Off on Giesen The Brothers Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Ruby hued, full-bodied red with moderately concentrated, ripe, plummy flavours, a touch of oak complexity and an appealing freshness.
Comments Off on Giesen Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Purple-flushed, weighty and full-flavoured, with rich plum and spice characters, a hint of herbs and an earthy streak. Powerful, funky wine that generated some panel debate.
Comments Off on Folium Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Enjoyable drink-young style from the Brancott Valley, with satisfying depth of vibrant plum, spice and slight herb flavours, and a hint of sweet oak.
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deep ruby, with cherry, plum and slight herb flavours, showing good depth and some earthy complexity.
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Ruby hued, full-bodied red with fresh, moderately concentrated cherry and plum flavours in a fruit-driven style with drink-young appeal.
Comments Off on Babich Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Fresh, lively and sweet-fruited. Medium-bodied, with plummy, cherryish flavours, showing a touch of complexity, a gentle oak influence and supple tannins.
Comments Off on Ara Select Blocks Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured, with some funky notes and strong, ripe, nutty, slightly savoury and earthy flavours.
Comments Off on Ara Select Block Limited Release M62 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Youthful Awatere Valley red, deep ruby, with mouthfilling body and fresh, strong cherry and plum flavours. Worth cellaring.
Comments Off on Tohu Rore Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Ruby hued, vibrantly fruity Awatere Valley red with ripe plum/spice flavours, fresh and strong, and some barrel-aged complexity. Drink now or cellar.
Comments Off on Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Elegant, with vibrant, ripe cherry and plum flavours, showing very good depth. Slightly dominant oak at this stage (10 months in French barriques, 31% new), but good tannin backbone. Worth cellaring.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured, with some earthy notes on the nose and very good complexity and flavour depth. Robust and rich.
Comments Off on Nautilus Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Sturdy and youthful, Wairau Valley red with strong, ripe, slightly nutty flavours. ‘Serious’ style, worth cellaring.
Comments Off on Misty Cove Signature Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Attractively scented Brancott Valley red with plenty of ripe, plummy, spicy flavour, showing some complexity, fine-grained tannins and good length.
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Gibsons Run Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Fresh and lively, with strong plum and spice flavours. Sweet-fruited and savoury, with good weight and length. Certified organic.
Comments Off on Soderberg Home Block Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Fresh, medium-bodied style from the lower Omaka Valley, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing good complexity, and fine-grained tannins. ‘Caresses the palate’, enthused one judge.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 12 Lone Gum Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deeply coloured Omaka Valley red with strong plum, cherry and spice flavours. Weighty, youthful and rich, with good complexity and potential.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Concentrated red, grown in the Omaka Valley. Savoury, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, well seasoned with toasty oak (French, 38% new), and good tannin support. Firm, structured style, well worth cellaring.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 5 Bull Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deep ruby, fragrant, vibrantly fruity and supple red from the Ure Valley, midway between Blenheim and Kaikoura. Ripe cherry and plum flavours, with finely integrated oak, in a powerful but elegant style, focused and tightly structured.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 4 Sawcut Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured, with deep, youthful cherry and plum flavours, strongly seasoned with French oak (51% new.) Mouthfilling, rich and soft, but needs time; open 2016+.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Ruby hued, attractively fragrant red with fresh, strong cherry, plum and spice flavours. Moderately complex, vibrantly fruity style, grown in the Southern Valleys and partly barrel-aged. Delicious young.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Mouthfilling, firm and concentrated, with fresh, deep plum/spice flavours, structured, youthful and lingering. ‘Serious’ style, certified organic.
Comments Off on Huia Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Bright ruby, with very good depth of youthful, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, balanced tannins and finely integrated oak. Savoury, slightly earthy notes add complexity. Needs time; best drinking 2016+.
Comments Off on Grove Mill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Floral and sweet-fruited, with vibrant plum and spice flavours, good harmony and potential. Fresh, elegant wine that lingers well.
Comments Off on Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Youthful, with vibrant plum, cherry and spice flavours , showing some complexity. Very fragrant, silky and harmonious.
Comments Off on Ara Single Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full, bright colour. Concentrated, ripe and savoury, with youthful vigour and a finely balanced, slightly earthy finish, showing good complexity.
Comments Off on Ara Select Blocks Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured and weighty, with rich, plummy flavours, gamey, smoky, toasty and spicy. Full-on style with some earthy notes, good concentration and complexity.
Comments Off on Ara Select Block Limited Release M62 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured, with an earthy streak. Weighty, smoky and savoury, with good richness through the palate.
Comments Off on Ara Select Block Limited Release K54 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full-coloured and firmly structured, with slightly earthy notes and strong, plummy, gamey flavours, savoury and lingering.
Comments Off on Ara Select Block Limited Release J52 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Dark and purple-flushed, Brancott Valley red, with concentrated cherry/plum flavours, tight and youthful. Densely structured and worth cellaring to 2016+. One judge scored it five stars. Fine value.
Comments Off on Folium Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Noir 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Bright ruby, with fresh, strong plum, spice and herb flavours and a fairly firm finish. Drinking well now.
Comments Off on Staete Landt Arie Marlborough Syrah 2011 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full, bright colour. Medium-bodied style, with strong, plummy, spicy, slightly herbal and gamey flavours. Barrel-aged for nearly two years.
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Syrah 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Deeply coloured blend of merlot (86%) and malbec (14%), matured in French oak barrels (35% new.) Gutsy, with strong, ripe, plum and spice flavours, brambly and earthy notes adding complexity, and a firm foundation of tannin.
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Merlot Malbec 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Full, bright colour. Medium-bodied style with strong, berryish, spicy flavours, some leafy elements, gentle tannins and good harmony.
Comments Off on Charles Wiffen Marlborough Merlot 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Pale pink, with gentle strawberry and spice flavours and a finely balanced, dryish finish, fresh and lively.
Comments Off on Saint Clair Rosé Marlborough Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Pale pink, light and lively, with fresh strawberry and spice flavours. Vibrantly fruity, easy drinking.
Comments Off on Awatere River by Louis Vavasour Single Vineyard Rosé 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Bright, pink/red colour. Light and lively, with vibrantly fruity, raspberry and spice flavours, fresh and strong.
Comments Off on Ara Single Estate Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Pale red. Full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with gentle, berryish flavours and a fresh, finely balanced, crisp, dry finish.
Comments Off on Tohu Single Vineyard Marlborough Pinot Rosé 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Light gold, youthful wine, mouthfilling, with sweet, peachy flavours and a strong seasoning of nutty oak.
Comments Off on Harwood Hall Vendange Tardive Marlborough Viognier (375ml) 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Pale gold, Awatere Valley wine with a honeyed bouquet and good intensity and drive on the palate. Lemon, apricot, honey and marmalade flavours, with a strong botrytis influence. Fresh, sweet and finely balanced.
Comments Off on Tupari Late Harvest Marlborough Riesling (375ml) 2014 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Pale gold, fleshy, honeyed wine with ripe peach, apricot and passionfruit flavours, sweet and soft. ‘Very moreish’, enthused one judge.
Comments Off on Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (375ml) 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
Lovely late harvest style from the Awatere Valley, with fresh lime, lemon and marmalade aromas. Sweet palate, very pure and long, with a subtle botrytis influence. Very ageworthy.
Comments Off on Tohu Raiha Limited Release Noble (375ml) Marlborough Riesling 2013 / 0 View / June 16, 2017
Posted: June 16, 2017
This beauty romped straight to five stars on all of the judges’ scoresheets. Light gold, it is highly concentrated, sweet and oily, in a ‘decadent’ style with an array of apricot, golden syrup, nut and honey flavours, luscious and long….
Comments Off on Giesen The Brothers Late Harvest Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc (375ml) 2012 / 0 View / June 16, 2017