Posted: May 12, 2022
This vivacious, distinctive rosé is a blend of mourvedre (48%), carmenere (44%) and petit verdot (8%), partly (28%) barrel-fermented. Bright pink, it is fragrant, fresh, full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with strong, yet delicate strawberry, watermelon and spice flavours, and a…
Comments Off on Askerne Sérieux Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This seductive, delicious, amber hued dessert wine was matured for eight months in barrels (25% new). Full of personality, with a richly honeyed, complex bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with strong peach, apricot and honey flavours, finely integrated oak and a…
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Noble Semillon (375ml) 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Fresh, youthful and intensely varietal, this richly perfumed wine was aged on its yeast lees for six months. Bright, light lemon/green, it is softly mouthfilling, with concentrated lychee and peach flavours, hints of ginger and spices, and an off-dry, well-rounded…
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This classy wine is sturdy, with deep, peachy, spicy flavours, showing impressive delicacy and concentration, a slightly oily texture, and a gently sweet, well-spiced, lasting finish. Still youthful, but already delicious, it’s a drink now or cellaring proposition. $30
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This powerful, vibrantly fruity wine was hand-picked and aged in seasoned oak barrels. Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with concentrated, peachy flavours, oak-derived complexity, balanced acidity and a dry finish. Worth cellaring. $25
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Viognier 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Already drinking well, this fragrant, weighty wine was hand-picked and fermented in French oak casks (25% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is fleshy and sweet-fruited, with rich, vibrant stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, and a smooth finish. $25…
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Delicious young, this Northland wine was partly (40%) barrel-aged. Bright, light lemon/green, with a fragrant, gently spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling and generous, with fresh, lively peach, pear, lychee and spice flavours, a hint of oak adding depth and complexity,…
Comments Off on Marsden Bay of Islands Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Full of personality, this is a weighty, fleshy, Alsace-style wine. Estate-grown and partly (20%) barrel-fermented, it is already delicious, with rich, ripe, peachy, spicy, slightly gingery flavours, showing good complexity, and a long, off-dry, rounded finish. Fine value. $23 (A,…
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Enjoyable young, this barrel-fermented wine is fresh and full-bodied. It has generous, ripe, peachy fruit flavours to the fore, with hints of toasty oak, a slightly creamy texture and a rounded finish. (From Palliser Estate). $28
Comments Off on Pencarrow Martinborough Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Fragrant and full-bodied, this hand-picked wine has very good depth of ripe stonefruit flavours, fresh, lively acidity, and toasty, buttery notes adding complexity. Still very youthful, it should open out well from mid-2023 onwards. $25
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Still unfolding, this hand-harvested, barrel-fermented wine is mouthfilling and savoury. Bright, light yellow/green, it has concentrated, vigorous stonefruit flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, fresh acidity and a persistent finish. Best drinking 2023+. $35
Comments Off on Sileni Lodge Grand Reserve Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Unfolding well, this rich, elegant, hand-picked wine was fermented and lees-aged for 10 months in French oak casks. Fragrant, with slightly smoky aromas, it is fleshy, with deep, ripe stonefruit flavours, finely balanced toasty oak adding complexity, fresh acidity and…
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
This distinctive wine was hand-harvested in the Esk Valley and matured for over a year in French oak casks. It has a fragrant, slightly biscuity and creamy bouquet, leading into a full-bodied, sweet-fruited palate, with grapefruit and peach flavours, well-integrated…
Comments Off on Linden Destination Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Freshly aromatic, this full-bodied wine is punchy, with good intensity of vibrant tropical fruit flavours and a herbaceous undercurrent. Crisp, dry and lingering, it’s enjoyable now. (From Palliser Estate.) $23 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pencarrow Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Handled entirely in tanks, this full-bodied wine includes 5% sauvignon gris. Light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with good intensity of fresh, ripe, peach and passionfruit-like flavours, finely balanced acidity and a dry, smooth finish. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Full of youthful vigour, this highly aromatic wine is full-bodied, with intense tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, slightly leesy notes adding complexity, and a crisp, sustained finish. Best drinking mid-2022+. $30 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A classic example of the region’s wood-aged sauvignon blancs, this wine was hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured in seasoned oak barrels. Ripely scented and mouthfilling, it has rich, tropical fruit flavours, gently seasoned with oak, good complexity, balanced…
Comments Off on Church Road Road McDonald Series Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Still unfolding, this wine was estate-grown, mostly in the Bridge Pa Triangle, hand-harvested and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (20% new). Fragrant, it is a bright, light yellow/green, weighty, sweet-fruited and complex wine, with rich, ripe, tropical…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Nose is all limes, stonefruit and tropical fruit layered with oak. Palate is rich and complex and generous with flavour and has a long lingering bone-dry finish.
Comments Off on Bettenay Wines Reserve Margaret River Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A big savoury wine. “Very more-ish.” Spicy aromas showing some flintiness with freshness of stonefruits on the palate.
Comments Off on Corryton Burge The Patroness Adelaide Hills Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Lifted flinty floral fruit fragrances and a zesty, somewhat acid driven, palate.
Comments Off on Corryton Burge Adelaide Hills Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Floral herbal aromas and an herbaceous driven palate with savoury elements.
Comments Off on Saint + Scholar Dewy’s Nectar Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Interesting nose – delicate but complex with hints of nougat and a perfectly balanced creamy palate with nice up-front sweetness. “A great sparkling – very French!”
Comments Off on Amelia Burge Sparkling Australia Pinot Noir Chardonnay Brut NV / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Subtle sweet melon and stonefruit aromas and an off-dry palate with gentle honeyed/toasty tropical fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Two Nurses Pyrenees Viognier 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Easy drinking bright blend with spicy peppery nose and vibrant varietal fruit palate with a rose petal lift and a dash of pepper.
Comments Off on Deadly by Peerick Pyrenees Shiraz Merlot 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A big old school style of shiraz with bold, dense fruit characters laced with umami-like savouriness. Ageing beautifully.
Comments Off on Peerick Reserve Pyrenees Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
“Very delicate and pure style,” noted one judge. Nice minerality under the pome/citrus fruit characters.
Comments Off on Sidney Wilcox White Field Blend South Australia White Blend 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Fragrant floral bouquet with honeyed/tropical notes and a complexity of stonefruit/citrus flavours with a long warm finish.
Comments Off on Sidney Wilcox Reserve South Australia Riesling 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
“Very easy to enjoy,” with floral and peppery strawberry aromas and a balance of fruit and savoury characters on the long evolving palate. Hints of meatiness and tropical notes.
Comments Off on Flavabom South Australia Rosé 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Zesty citrus nose with subtle toastiness. Palate is fresh, simple and delicious with a long “tingling” finish.
Comments Off on Flavabom Field White South Australia White Blend 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A very well made, very young wine – “That is a pleasure to drink!” The bright berry bouquet exhibits a floral/violet lift and has a very “polished” sweet varietal fruit palate.
Comments Off on Flavabom Vine Dried South Australia Shiraz 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A big, flavoursome, full-bodied style with an earthy fruit nose and big hit of sweet fruit flavours with nice use of oak. 5+
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Jaraman Clare Valley McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A cool stalky wine but has a “big feel!” Prunes and herbs on the nose and nicely integrated and well-balanced palate.
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Jaraman Coonawarra Clare Valley Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A minty green bouquet and a big bold cassis driven palate with slight green elements and a long drying finish.
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Taylor Made BDX Clare Valley Coonawarra Cabernet Merlot Malbec Cabernet Franc 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Dark and spicy on the nose with a pleasant, nicely structured and what one judge called a “cuddly” palate.
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Taylor Made Clare Valley Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A big impressive and brightly fresh cabernet rich with varietal fruit, chocolaty oak and minty notes with herbal elements and a perfumed lift. 3-5
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Estate Limestone Coast Clare Valle Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A very savoury, complex and meaty wine. Lovely purple hues, peppery earthiness to the nose and nice balance of blue fruits and black pepper on the flavoursome palate. 5+
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Taylor Made Limestone Coast Clare Valley Malbec 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Honeysuckle nose with nutty oak intensity. Attractive complexity to the fruity palate, great mouthfeel and lively acidity.
Comments Off on Taylors Wines Jaraman Adelaide Hills Clare Valley Chardonnay 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
“Sombre, serious and complex – a voice from the past,” described one judge. Rich, dark chocolaty fruit with mild tannins and acidity.
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill Sparkling Shiraz NV / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Smells like licorice with a big soft ripe fruit palate showing peppery complexity.
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek One Tree Hill G.S.M. 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Spicy leafy aromas on the nose with a sweet complexity of black olive and brandied cherry-like flavours.
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek Dry Grown One Tree Hill Grenache 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Young purple wine bordering on black with a restrained spicy oak bouquet and a huge mulberry driven palate with an equal amount of slighty smoky oak to balance. 3-5
Comments Off on Tenafeate Creek Basket Press One Tree Hill Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Nose is a lifted melange of beetroot, cherries, spices and oak. The savoury palate is all umami with a nice meaty complexity. A great food wine.
Comments Off on Artwine Saint Vincent Single Vineyard Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A delicate and very pretty quaffer with grassy/herbaceous characters on both the nose and palate.
Comments Off on Bream Creek Vineyard Tasmania Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
A very pleasant riesling with spicy lifted lemon drops of a nose and well-balanced fruit driven palate evolving nicely.
Comments Off on Bream Creek Vineyard Tasmania Riesling 2021 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Pungent and developed yeasty aromas with a lively and bone-dry palate with mouth-filling tart and tangy flavours. “Makes me hungry!” commented one judge.
Comments Off on Rymill Coonawarra Coonawarra Sparkling Brut 2018 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Elegant blackberry bouquet with a perfumed lift and young and stylish black fruit palate with well-integrated soft tannins brightened up by the acid.
Comments Off on Rymill Coonawarra Coonawarra Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / May 12, 2022
Posted: May 12, 2022
Earthy fruit fragrances with some smokiness from the oak leading to a light tannic palate full of classy, sweet/minty fruit flavours that finish quite savoury.
Comments Off on Rymill Coonawarra Coonawarra Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / May 12, 2022