Posted: April 4, 2017
Refined, subtle wine, with pure, penetrating, citrusy flavours, gently seasoned with oak, and lovely freshness, drive and complexity. Tightly structured, intense and well worth cellaring. $36
Comments Off on Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Mouthfilling, medium style with concentrated, peachy, spicy flavours and a hint of botrytis. One judge rated it five stars. $30 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay Waipara Valley Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Lively, youthful, aromatic wine with concentrated, citrusy, limey flavours, hints of apricot and nectarine, and a slightly sweet, mouth-wateringly crisp finish. Enjoyed by all judges. $20
Comments Off on Brightwater Vineyards Nelson Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Elegant, floral, tightly structured young wine with good acid spine and very delicate, citrusy, peachy, limey flavours that linger well. One judge praised it as a ‘delicious keeper’ and scored it five stars. $27
Comments Off on Neudorf Moutere Dry Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Perfumed, zesty, very lively wine with rich, peachy, gently sweet, slightly honeyed flavours, a touch of marmalade, and a finely balanced, lasting finish. (Hand-picked with 20% noble botrytis). $20
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Liquid Geography Waipara Valley Riesling 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fleshy, with strong, ripe, peachy, spicy, slightly honeyed flavours. Fresh, youthful wine, with a lush, slightly sweet finish. (60% barrel-fermented). $25
Comments Off on Terrace Edge Waipara Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Youthful, medium to full-bodied wine, with vibrant pear, nectarine and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a finely balanced, dryish finish. (10% barrel-fermented). $22
Comments Off on Kina Cliffs Nelson Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fleshy, with ripe pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing excellent vibrancy and depth, and an off-dry, rounded finish. $20
Comments Off on Renato Nelson Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Full-bodied, dryish style. Vibrant, citrusy, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth, with a touch of complexity (25% fermentation in old puncheons), a minerally streak and a long finish. Praised by one judge as ‘calm and controlled’. $29
Comments Off on Neudorf Moutere Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Mouthfilling, fleshy, richly varietal wine, partly barrel-fermented. Fragrant, lush bouquet, with deep, ripe, peachy, spicy flavours and a crisp, slightly sweet, very harmonious finish. ‘Alsace style’, enthused one judge. $20
Comments Off on Mount Brown Grand Reserve Waipara Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This pale gold Waipara pinot gris was fermented to dryness and matured for two years in old oak barrels. Full of personality, it is high in alcohol (15.5 alc/vol), but not fortified, with mature, peachy, nutty, yeasty flavours, showing excellent…
Comments Off on Bellbird Spring Sous Voile NV (500ml) White NV / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fleshy, full-bodied wine, still fresh and lively, with good depth of ripe, tropical fruit flavours and minerally notes. Enjoyable now. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on The Pruner’s Reward Waipara Valley Sauvignon Blanc 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Full-bodied, with good depth of fresh, ripe, tropical fruit flavours and a splash of sweetness, balanced by lively acidity. $22
Comments Off on Kina Cliffs Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fleshy, mouthfilling wine with ripe, tropical fruit flavours and hints of spicy, toasty oak adding complexity. Creamy-textured wine, still unfolding. $30
Comments Off on Greenhough Hope Vineyard Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Mouthfilling, ripely flavoured wine with good acidity and tropical fruit characters, showing very good freshness and depth. $25 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Brightwater Vineyards Lord Rutherford Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Freshly aromatic, barrel-fermented wine with mouthfilling body and a blend of tropical fruit and lively, cut-grass flavours that linger well. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Grand Reserve Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fleshy, mouthfilling wine, fermented with indigenous yeasts and lees-aged for six months in French oak casks. Rich and harmonious, with strong, tropical fruit flavours, fresh and generous. (One judge scored it five stars). $30
Comments Off on Brightwater Vineyards Lord Rutherford Barrique Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This fragrant, full-bodied wine was hand-picked and handled in tanks (mostly) and barrels. It is generous, with concentrated, peachy, spicy, slightly honeyed flavours in a medium style, drinking well now. (From Manly Liquor). $20
Comments Off on De Vine Reserve Waipara Pinot Gris 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This buoyantly fruity red was estate-grown in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for a year in French oak hogsheads. It’s a flavoursome, fresh, plummy, spicy wine, showing some nutty, savoury complexity, with a moderately firm finish. (From Te Awa). $25
Comments Off on Left Field Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This fresh, lively, medium to full-bodied wine was hand-picked and fermented in seasoned oak barrels. Made in an off-dry style (11 grams/litre residual sugar), it has appetising acidity and very good depth of finely balanced, ripe, peachy, slightly spicy flavours….
Comments Off on Clearview Haumoana Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This buoyantly fruity wine was grown at Te Awanga and partly barrel-fermented. Enjoyable young, it is mouthfilling, with fresh acidity woven through its peachy, slightly buttery and toasty flavours, which show very good depth and roundness. [Previously called Te Awanga…
Comments Off on Clearview Coastal Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Grown at Rapaura and matured in 900-litre barrels, this floral, ruby hued and supple red is mouthfilling, with fresh, ripe, plummy, slightly nutty flavours, showing considerable complexity and good harmony. $35 (A, US)
Comments Off on Bird Big Barrel Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Enjoyable young, this is a medium-bodied wine with ripe, peachy, slightly spicy flavours. Made in an off-dry style, with balanced acidity, it is youthful, fresh and lively, with good depth. $20 (US)
Comments Off on Bird Gisborne Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Still unfolding, this sweet-fruited and savoury red was grown in the Southern Valleys and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (15% new). Ruby hued, it is floral and supple, with ripe cherry and spice flavours, showing good complexity,…
Comments Off on Zephyr Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This subtle wine was estate-grown in the lower Wairau Valley, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in large oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and fleshy, with generous, ripe, citrusy flavours, a gentle seasoning of nutty oak, and a…
Comments Off on Zephyr Marlborough Chardonnay 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Fruit-focused, with finely integrated oak, this full-bodied, barrel-fermented wine has vibrant, ripe, citrusy, peachy, slightly buttery flavours. Showing considerable complexity and very good depth and harmony, it’s enjoyable from the start. $30
Comments Off on Toi Toi Reserve New Zealand Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Still very youthful, this barrel-aged red is deeply coloured, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet. A strongly varietal wine, it is mouthfilling, with vibrant plum and black pepper flavours, showing excellent ripeness, depth and harmony. Priced sharply. $25
Comments Off on Squawking Magpie The Chatterer Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This refined, ageworthy red was grown in the Southern Valleys. Bright ruby, it is very finely balanced, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, and good complexity. Drink now or cellar. $32 (A, UK,…
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Certified organic, this full-bodied, ripely flavoured wine is from young, estate-grown vines in the Wairau Valley. Light lemon/green, it has tropical fruit flavours, with lees-aging notes adding a touch of complexity, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. Priced right. $20…
Comments Off on Clos Henri Petit Clos by Clos Henri Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Already drinking well, this is a Gimblett Gravels blend of merlot (85%), cabernet sauvignon (10%) and cabernet franc (5%), matured for a year in French oak barrels. Full and bright in colour, it is fragrant and fleshy, with rich plum/spice…
Comments Off on Left Field Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Bargain-priced, mouthfilling, very youthful wine, with complexity from fermentation (partly with indigenous yeasts) in French oak barriques, 15% new. Grapefruit-like fruit flavours to the fore, with mealy, smoky notes and a fully dry, persistent finish. Best drinking mid-2017+. $20 (UK,…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Delicious young, this deeply coloured, generous red was grown at Te Awanga and matured in French oak casks (10% new). Mouthfilling and supple, it is vibrantly fruity, with plummy, spicy flavours, showing excellent depth and harmony. $27
Comments Off on Clearview Cape Kidnappers Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This instantly appealing, vivacious wine is light (8.9 alc/vol) and gently sweet (48 grams/litre residual sugar), with a freshly scented bouquet, strong, vibrant lemon/lime flavours, good acid spine and a lengthy finish. Drink now or cellar. $26
Comments Off on Black Peak Wanaka Central Otago Riesling 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Showing good vigour and intensity, this is a single-vineyard wine, grown at Rapaura. Full-bodied, it has ripe, strongly varietal melon/lime flavours, fresh, tangy and strong. $20 (A, US)
Comments Off on Bird Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Richly perfumed, this youthful wine was estate-grown in the lower Wairau Valley and mostly tank-fermented; 5% was handled in old oak. Light lemon/green, it is sturdy (14.5% alc/vol) and smooth, with ripe pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy…
Comments Off on Zephyr Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Priced sharply, this estate-grown red was matured for 15 months in French oak barriques (20 per cent new). Deeply coloured, it has a complex bouquet, leading into a rich, youthful, well-structured palate with fresh acidity and vibrant plum, spice, black…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Bargain-priced, this full-bodied, savoury Gimblett Gravels red was matured for 20 months in French oak barriques. Deep and youthful in colour, it is fragrant and generous, with rich, ripe plum and blackcurrant flavours, a hint of dark chocolate, a subtle…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This stylish Northland red was estate-grown at a coastal vineyard and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Fragrant, with dark, youthful colour, it has deep, vibrant plum, spice and nut flavours, fine-grained tannins, and excellent ripeness,…
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Syrah 2013 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Refined and subtle, this is a mouthfilling, sweet-fruited wine with obvious potential. It has delicious, ripe peach and grapefruit flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth, finely integrated oak, and lovely poise and harmony. Best drinking mid-2017+. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Already delicious, this floral, savoury red is fine value. Grown at Bannockburn and matured for 10 months in French oak casks (15% new), it is fragrant and mouthfilling, with strong, youthful plum, cherry and spice flavours, showing good complexity, and…
Comments Off on Bannock Brae Goldfields Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This fruit-packed, single-vineyard Bendigo red was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (20% new). Deep ruby, it has strong, vibrant, plum/spice flavours to the fore, a subtle seasoning of oak adding complexity, gentle tannins and loads of drink-young…
Comments Off on Ballasalla Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This lovely, sweet-fruited and finely textured red was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (25% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it has generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, integrated oak, gentle acidity and tannins, and…
Comments Off on Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
This is a great buy. Estate-grown and hand-harvested at Te Awanga, it was fully fermented and lees-stirred for six months in seasoned French oak barrels. The bouquet is highly fragrant; the palate fleshy, rich and rounded, with concentrated, ripe, stonefruit…
Comments Off on Clearview Beachhead Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Good weight and depth of blackcurrant fruit with oak not playing an obvious role.
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Earthy plum and spicy licorice bouquet with an oaky palate layered with big sweet fruit and persistent tannins.
Comments Off on Katnook Squire’s Blend Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot 2013 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Very drinkable. Earthy/herb garden of a nose and soft fruit/oak palate. Great tannin structure.
Comments Off on Drakesbrook Wild Bird Peel Cabernet Franc 2012 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Very well made rich and complex wine with powerful currant and licorice age characters and dense tannin profile.
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek Black Top Blend One Tree Hill Petit Verdot Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2009 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A Christmas cake complexity of aromas and a savory bitumen/blackcurrant palate with the tannins kept nicely in check.
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill Petit Verdot 2012 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
A big interesting full flavoured merlot with licorice-like characters to the nose and Christmas cake flavours. In great condition!
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill Merlot 2012 / 0 View / April 4, 2017
Posted: April 4, 2017
Deep purple/red wine. Very fresh, clean and intense fruit bouquet and a vibrant palate with powerful concentration of varietal flavours, nice oak and excellent tannins.
Comments Off on Mount Cathedral Vineyards Reserve Central Victoria Cabernet Sauvignon 2013 / 0 View / April 4, 2017