Posted: July 21, 2022
Very attractive lifted aged Christmas cake-like characters on the nose with great intensity of a very sweet complexity of interesting flavours. Has a lovely freshness to it.
Comments Off on 919 Reserve Riverland Classic Muscat NV / 0 View / July 21, 2022
Posted: July 21, 2022
Soft, fresh and enjoyable to drink with nutty green apple characters.
Comments Off on 919 Reserve Riverland Pale Dry Apera NV / 0 View / July 21, 2022
Posted: July 21, 2022
A huge, intense but well-balanced style that has a brooding intensity of dark berry and plum fruit-like characters on the nose and on the long lingering palate.
Comments Off on 919 Reserve Riverland Durif 2018 / 0 View / July 21, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Soft, simple and starting to develop some aged notes. Has subtle cherry/plum fruit, hints of aniseed and a dash of pepper.
Comments Off on Argento McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Deep purple wine with lovely chocolaty aromas and masses of sweet/spicy fruit flavours with silky smooth tannins. 3-5
Comments Off on Saint + Scholar Graduates Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Stalky black fruit fragrances with meaty nuances and more smallgoods savouriness echoed on the chewy palate.
Comments Off on Bettenay Wines Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A soft rich and warming wine – still very young with aromas of blackcurrants, aniseed and violets and layers of minty chocolate and cassis fruit flavours. “Stunning!”
Comments Off on Argento McLaren Vale Cabernet Merlot 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Inviting savoury, meaty and peppery bouquet and a very generous palate with gamey/savoury elements mixing with stewed plum and prune-like fruit. Some massive tannins. 5+
Comments Off on Bettenay Wines Margaret River Merlot 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A full-bodied lemon meringue pie of a wine. Hints of ginger biscuits on the nose and a complex and interesting creamy palate. Offers delicious drinking!
Comments Off on Argento Langhorne Creek Fiano 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A big wine with a spice jar of a nose and a classy, well-balanced palate with juicy fruit, sweet oak and well-integrated tannins and a long grippy finish. Still a baby!
Comments Off on Jericho Wines McLaren Vale Grenache Shiraz Mourvedre 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Drinking well now and offering good value, this Waipara blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc was barrique-aged for a year. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing some savoury complexity, supple tannins and good…
Comments Off on Main Divide North /Cabernet Canterbury Merlot 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Bargain-priced, this full-coloured red has a perfumed, spicy bouquet. Mouthfilling, it is strongly varietal, with plummy, peppery flavours, showing excellent depth, savoury notes adding complexity, supple tannins and a finely poised finish. Best drinking mid-2023+. $21
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Drinking well in its youth, this bright ruby red has a floral, slightly spicy bouquet. Medium to full-bodied, it is vibrantly fruity, with very good depth of fresh berry, plum and spice flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and supple…
Comments Off on Spy Valley Satellite by Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Already enjoyable, this Bannockburn red was barrel-aged for seven months. Full, bright ruby, with a fragrant, spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with fresh acidity, finely balanced tannins, and generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity. $27…
Comments Off on Carrick Unravelled Organic Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Full of drink-young charm, yet also a wine of substance, this red was grown at Bannockburn and Pisa, and matured in old oak barrels. Deep, bright ruby, it is fragrant, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours and supple…
Comments Off on Akarua Rua Central Otago Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This elegant, finely poised, ageworthy red was estate-grown in the Southern Valleys and matured for 11 months in French oak barrels. Full, bright ruby, it is fragrant, mouthfilling and supple, with very good complexity and depth of cherry, plum, spice…
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Well worth cellaring, this youthful, single-vineyard red was hand-harvested at Lowburn, French oak-aged for 16 months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Full, bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with strong, ripe cherry and spice flavours, seasoned with nutty oak,…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Already drinking well, this single-vineyard red is sturdy, rich and rounded, with generous, very ripe fruit flavours and a seductively smooth finish. $25
Comments Off on Brancott Estate Letter Series T Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This distinctive wine is from chardonnay, hand-picked in a cool, coastal vineyard. Elegant, vigorous and tightly structured, it is aromatic, with very good intensity of youthful, citrusy, yeasty, complex flavours, crisp, dry and lingering. $45
Comments Off on Church Road Méthode Traditionnelle Hawke’s Bay Blanc de Blanc 2017 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This classy, chardonnay-predominant blend is hand-picked and matured for up to three years on its yeast lees. Bright yellow/green, it reveals excellent richness and complexity, with strong, peachy, citrusy, yeasty flavours and a crisp, dryish, persistent finish. $30
Comments Off on Deutz Cuvée s Marlborough Blanc de Blanc 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Rich, rounded and ready, this characterful, single-vineyard wine was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels. Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied and fleshy, with generous, ripe stonefruit flavours, a hint of…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Drinking well now, this delicious wine is ripely scented and mouthfilling, in an Alsace style with fresh, generous fruit flavours and a slightly sweet, smooth, very harmonious finish. (From Pegasus Bay.) $21
Comments Off on Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Drinking well now, this is a medium-bodied, subtle style of pinot gris. Estate-grown at Matapiro, it is fresh and lively, with strong pear, peach and spice flavours, gentle acidity and a fully dry finish. $25
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Instantly appealing, this regional blend was grown in the Cromwell Basin (84%) and Gibbston (16%), and mostly (64%) fermented in neutral oak barrels; the rest was handled in tanks. Light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, vibrant, peachy, spicy flavours…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Slightly honeyed, this bright, light lemon/green is weighty, rich and slightly sweet, in the classic style of Alsace. Already delicious, it has a distinct touch of complexity and concentrated, peachy, spicy flavours. Best drinking 2023+. $25
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Full of personality, this weighty, Alsace-style wine, grown in the Southern Valleys, was handled in tanks and large, seasoned oak barrels. Bright lemon/green, it has an inviting, ripely scented bouquet. Mouthfilling, with rich, vibrant pear, peach and spice flavours, it…
Comments Off on Spy Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Offering great value, this is an elegant, attractively scented wine. Bright, light lemon/green, it is vigorous, with youthful, peachy, citrusy flavours, showing excellent delicacy, depth and harmony, a hint of oranges, and a crisp, gently sweet finish. (From Pegasus Bay.)…
Comments Off on Main Divide Nth Canterbury Riesling 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Certified organic, this lovely, vigorous young wine was hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and handled entirely in stainless steel tanks. Light lemon/green, it is invitingly scented, with intense, lemony, slightly appley and peachy flavours, gentle sweetness, crisp acidity, and a…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Riesling 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This steely, youthful, distinctly cool-climate wine should be long-lived. Certified organic, it was hand-picked, barrel-fermented (15% new), and oak-aged for over a year. Light gold, mouthfilling and lively, it has crisp, peachy, mealy flavours, showing very good vigour and depth,…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Offering fine value, this flavour-packed wine was hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels. Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied, with strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, toasty, savoury notes adding complexity and a lingering finish. Best mid-2023+. $25
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Crafted as an ‘elegant’ style with moderate alcohol (12.5% by vol), this subtle, Chablis-like wine was hand-picked earlier than most chardonnays from Church Road. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with youthful, citrusy, peachy flavours, showing good intensity…
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Approaching its peak, this distinctive wine was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Southern Valleys and barrel-fermented. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling, with deep stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, slightly buttery notes, excellent complexity, fresh acidity and a…
Comments Off on Spy Valley Envoy Johnson Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This charming, very easy-drinking red was estate-grown and barrel-aged. Bright ruby, with a fresh, slightly spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling and supple, with gentle, ripe fruit flavours, a touch of complexity and a very smooth finish. $28
Comments Off on Palliser Estate The Luminary Martinborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Drinking well now, but also worth cellaring, this strongly varietal red was matured for 10 months in French oak casks (25% new). Ruby hued, it is graceful and supple, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty oak adding complexity,…
Comments Off on Pencarrow Martinborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This full-coloured, purple-flushed Northland red is a blend of chambourcin (50%), merlot (30%) and pinotage (20%), matured in French oak casks (30% new). Still very youthful, it has a fresh, spicy bouquet, strong, plummy, spicy flavours, lively acidity and good…
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Cavalli 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Probably at its peak, this lively, characterful red is from a variety cultivated in the north of Italy. Estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle, it was matured for 14 months in French oak casks (21% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Marzemino 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Drinking well now, this full-coloured red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle. Mouthfilling, fleshy and savoury, it has good concentration of ripe red berry and spice flavours, oak complexity, supple tannins and a well-rounded finish. $40
Comments Off on Sileni Pacemaker Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This elegant, ageworthy Northland red was matured for a year in French oak barriques (30% new). Full-coloured and fragrant, it is mouthfilling, with youthful, berryish, spicy flavours, very fresh, ripe and strong, savoury notes adding complexity, and obvious potential. Best…
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Tempranillo 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
From a highly rated French hybrid, this Northland red was matured for 16 months in French and American oak casks (30% new). Full-coloured, it is still very fresh and lively, with strong plum and spice flavours, a hint of liquorice,…
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Chambourcin 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Maturing well, this savoury, supple red was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and aged for 14 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Full-coloured, it is sweet-fruited, with generous, ripe berry, spice and nut flavours, oak complexity and supple…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Delicious now, but also very ageworthy, this Northland red was co-fermented with viognier skins and French oak-matured (30% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and supple, with strong, vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, and savoury notes adding complexity. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Vigot Syrah 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Maturing well, this powerful red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels (principally) and the Bridge Pa Triangle, blended with malbec (14%), and matured for 18 months in French and Hungarian oak barrels (22% new). Dark and invitingly fragrant, it is…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This highly fragrant, powerful, savoury red was estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle. Deeply coloured and still purple-flushed, it is mouthfilling, sweet-fruited and supple, with concentrated plum and spice flavours, oak complexity, and a finely textured, long, spicy finish. Drink…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This powerful red (15.5% alc/vol) was made by ‘cutting the bunch canes, allowing the fruit to shrivel prior to harvest [which] concentrated the juice within’. Dark and robust, it is very ripe-tasting, with bold, vibrant, berryish, plummy flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on Sileni Cut Cane Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Well worth cellaring, this deeply coloured blend of merlot (46%), cabernet franc (29%), cabernet sauvignon (24%) and a splash of malbec was matured in oak barrels (35% new). Full-bodied, it has generous, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, supple…
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Merlot/Cabernet Franc/ Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Developing a Bordeaux-like complexity with age, this deeply coloured, elegant, harmonious red is drinking well now. Full-bodied and fleshy, it has ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity, savoury notes adding complexity, supple tannins and a long finish. Fine…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This powerful, lush wine is already delicious. Dark and youthful, it is concentrated, with vibrant blackcurrant, plum, spice and nutty oak flavours, showing excellent ripeness and complexity, good tannin backbone and a long, very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2024+. $40
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle, this full-coloured, generous red is mouthfilling, with deep, ripe plum and spice flavours to the fore, hints of blackcurrants and herbs, and a smooth finish. Drink now onwards. $28
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This stylish red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (41%), cabernet franc (38%), merlot (20%) and malbec (1%), barrel-aged for a year (50% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, youthful and savoury, with rich, well-ripened blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, and…
Comments Off on Askerne Dr John Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Light pink, with a hint of orange, this merlot-based rosé is still fresh and lively. Probably at its peak, it is medium-bodied, with very good depth of peachy, spicy, slightly strawberryish flavours, and a dry finish. $25
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022