Posted: December 3, 2021
Enjoyable now, this single-vineyard wine was estate-grown at Alexandra and a small part of the blend was barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, it is freshly scented and full-bodied, with a sliver of sweetness and strong, vibrant pear and spice flavours. $28…
Comments Off on Three Miners Miner’s Right Central Otago Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This instantly appealing wine is a blend of tank-fermented Gibbston fruit (56%) and Lowburn grapes (44%), fermented in old French oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it is freshly scented and mouthfilling, with strong, lively, stone-fruit and spice flavours and a basically…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This attractively scented, full-bodied wine has with stone-fruit, pear and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy and depth. Strongly varietal, with a sliver of sweetness and fresh acidity, it’s a very harmonious wine, for drinking now or cellaring. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Mount Brown Estates Grand Reserve North Canterbury Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still very youthful, this softly mouthfilling wine was estate-grown and hand-picked. Bright, light lemon/green, it is weighty and fleshy, with strong, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, gentle sweetness and a touch of tannin. Best drinking mid-2022+. $32
Comments Off on Blackenbrook Family Reserve Nelson Gewurztraminer 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This estate-grown, richly varietal North Canterbury wine was partly oak-aged. Bright, light lemon/green, it is enticingly perfumed and weighty, with strong, ripe peach, lychee and spice flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a dryish, well-rounded finish. $28
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Gewurztraminer 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Light and lively, this is a rare North Otago wine – only 900 bottles were produced. Bright, light lemon/green, with an attractively scented, lemony bouquet, it has strong, youthful, citrusy flavours, gentle sweetness and appetising acidity. Well worth cellaring. $23
Comments Off on Black Stilt Waitaki Valley Riesling 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Finely poised, this youthful, single-vineyard wine was grown at Bendigo. Light lemon/green, it is invitingly scented and medium-bodied, with strong, vigorous, lemony, peachy flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness, and fresh, tangy acidity. Well worth cellaring to 2023+. $28 (A,…
Comments Off on Wild Earth Central Otago Riesling 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
From mature vines at Bendigo, this racy, lively wine is light to medium-bodied, with a scented bouquet and penetrating, lemony, slightly appley flavours, slightly sweet and crisp. Full of youthful vigour, it’s well worth cellaring to 2023+. $30
Comments Off on Maori Point Central Otago Riesling 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Richly scented, this crisp, lively wine was estate-grown at two sites. Light lemon/green, it is still youthful, with lemony, appley flavours, showing very good intensity, firm acid spine and a long, slightly off-dry finish. Best drinking 2023+. $27 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Domain Road The Water Race Bannockburn Dry Riesling 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Certified organic, this youthful, bone-dry but not austere riesling is already drinking well. Hand-picked, it was fermented and aged for seven months in old oak barriques. Attractively scented, it has strong, ripe, peachy, citrusy, vaguely toasty flavours, balanced acidity and…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Dry Riesling 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Already enjoyable, this estate-grown, slightly creamy wine was hand-picked, and fermented and matured for nine months in French oak barrels (22% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with strong, vibrant, peachy, citrusy flavours, hints of toast and…
Comments Off on Domain Road Defiance Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Compared to its stablemate (above), this EBM wine has ‘extended barrel maturation’ (18 months in seasoned oak casks). Still fairly restrained, it is weighty and lively, with generous, youthful, peachy, citrusy, mealy flavours, well-integrated oak and very good complexity. Best…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Cairnmuir Terraces EBM Central Otago Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still youthful, this finely balanced, organically certified wine was fermented and aged for a year in French oak barriques (13% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it is full-bodied and vigorous, with good intensity of ripe, stone-fruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
From vines over 25 years old at Gibbston, this is an intensely varietal, youthful, slightly austere wine. Medium-bodied, it has firm acid spine and strong, green-apple aromas and flavours, fresh and crisp. $27
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still unfolding, this estate-grown wine was hand-harvested and partly (19%) barrel-fermented. Bright, light lemon/green, with a ripely herbaceous bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with vigorous tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, showing good freshness and complexity, and a crisp, dry finish. $23…
Comments Off on Domain Road Vineyard Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
A subtle, satisfying style of sauvignon blanc. Fresh and vibrantly fruity, with restrained aromas, it is full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with ripe passionfruit/lime flavours that build well across the palate to a crisp, dry, lingering finish. $28
Comments Off on Ataahua Waipara Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Probably at its peak, this is an excellent example of Central Otago sauvignon blanc. Certified organic, it was estate-grown, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in a mix of stainless steel tanks (68%) and old oak barriques (32%). Bright, light…
Comments Off on Carrick Organic Central Otago Bannockburn Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still unfolding, this is a ruby-hued, full-bodied red, with fresh, strong, plum and spice flavours, slightly earthy notes, a touch of complexity and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking mid-2022+. $25
Comments Off on Haha Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This good value red was grown at Waipara, in North Canterbury, and matured for 18 months in French oak barrels. Ruby hued, it is mouthfilling and supple, with generous cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, fresh acidity and a smooth,…
Comments Off on Main Divide Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This highly distinctive wine uses “green tea as a natural antioxidant instead of sulphur.” Certified organic, it was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley and a third of the blend was barrel-fermented. Pale gold, it is fresh and full-bodied, with…
Comments Off on Loveblock Tee Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This graceful, vibrantly fruity and youthful red was mostly estate-grown at Bendigo. Deep ruby, with a fragrant, fresh, slightly spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling and supple, with strong cherry, plum and spice flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, lively acidity…
Comments Off on Loveblock Central Otago Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Estate-grown and hand-harvested at Te Muna, this is a powerful, full-bodied style of pinot gris, partly barrel-fermented. Pale gold, it has fresh, generous, well-ripened, peachy flavours, gently seasoned with oak, good complexity, balanced acidity and a fully dry finish. Best…
Comments Off on The Elder Martinborough Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
This rich, youthful wine has a fragrant, complex bouquet. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with vibrant, deep stone-fruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, a slightly creamy texture and a lasting finish. Best drinking 2023+. $49
Comments Off on Obsidian Reserve Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Still youthful, this deep ruby red was hand-picked at Bendigo, matured for 10 months in French oak casks (25% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Mouthfilling, it has fresh acidity and dense, well-ripened cherry, plum and spice flavours. Complex and…
Comments Off on Folding Hill Bendigo Central Otago Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Developing gracefully with good intensity of plum, rhubarb and spicy oak.
Comments Off on Eight at The Gate Family Selection Wrattonbully Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Super toasty complexity on the nutty/figgy nose with lovely richness and depth of toasty/lemon meringue flavours with controlled lemony length.
Comments Off on Eight at The Gate Family Selection Wrattonbully Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Smells of prunes and raspberries with very good length of blue fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Eight at The Gate Single Vineyard Wrattonbully Cabernet Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Deep red wine with fresh blueberry, light prune and licorice aromatics. Bold tannic palate with nicely focused fresh fruit flavours. Needs food!
Comments Off on Poetic Justice Wrattonbully Sparkling Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Raspberry aromas with toasty/musky notes. Light fruit palate filled with rhubarb and red currant flavours.
Comments Off on Carmine’s Basket Press Old Vine McLaren Vale Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Candied rose nose and simple, slightly sweet, juicy fruit palate.
Comments Off on Carmine’s The Rose McLaren Vale Grenache Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Big prune/raspberry savoury nose and complex tannic palate layered with cherry and plum flavours and a soft finish.
Comments Off on Carmine’s Black Label McLaren Vale Sparkling Shiraz NV / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
A seamless integration of savoury fruit, spicy notes, oak, fine tannins and crisp acidity.
Comments Off on Maygars Hill Strathbogie Ranges Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Lemon curd-like aromas and creamy in the mouth with nice balance of both citrus and melon flavours.
Comments Off on Trentham Reserve Tasmania Blanc de Blanc NV / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Quite a savoury fruit nose and a firm, textured, citrus driven palate.
Comments Off on Hastwell & Lightfoot ‘P’ Langhorne Creek Pinot Grigio 2021 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Fresh and elegant herbaceous fruit bouquet with soft, simple plum palate.
Comments Off on Glenwillow Bendigo Sparkling Shiraz 2018 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Dark brooding bouquet and simple berry fruit profile on the well-structured palate. Full tannins and crisp acid.
Comments Off on Shingleback Davey Estate McLaren Vale Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Savoury briary style of shiraz with good integration of blueberry fruit, spicy oak and soft tannins.
Comments Off on Grampians Estate Mafeking Grampians Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
A fresh and crunchy strawberry and cream style with excellent length.
Comments Off on Grampians Estate Drovers Grampians Rosé 2021 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Fragrant perfumed plum nose, lovely medium bodied palate, cranberry flavours and powdery tannins. Time!
Comments Off on Grampians Estate Woolclasser’s GST Grampians Grenache Shiraz Tempranillo 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Nicely aged chocolaty notes with menthol traces to the cherry fruit and balanced with great line of acid.
Comments Off on Koonara Angels Wings Coonawarra Cabernet Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Aromas of plums, cassis and licorice with finely structured cherry/cassis palate, hints of licorice. Has potential.
Comments Off on Hamelin Bay Wines Margaret River Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Steely green aromas, bright youthful cassis fruit, light mintiness and fine tannins.
Comments Off on Hamelin Bay Wines Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
A blueberry licorice compote of a nose with fleshy fruit flavours, supple tannins and high acidity.
Comments Off on Hamelin Bay Wines Rampant Red Margaret River Shiraz Blend 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Reserved lemon sherbet of a nose and a palate. Great intensity and complexity.
Comments Off on Hamelin Bay Wines Margaret River Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Very delicate/elegant aromas of green apples and jasmine with similar characters concentrated on the palate.
Comments Off on Hamelin Bay Wines Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Reserved citrus/apple aromas and a firm, fresh and vibrant palate. Super complex. Great acidity.
Comments Off on Hamelin Bay Wines Margaret River Semillon Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Rich tropical bouquet; nice citrus zestiness. Soft mouth-coating flavours, some nice complexity and a long finish.
Comments Off on Taltarni Pyrenees Brut 2015 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
Toasty nose with a lemony element, a fine bead and soft in the mouth with persistent delicate fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Taltarni Pyrenees Blanc de Blancs 2017 / 0 View / December 3, 2021
Posted: December 3, 2021
An attractive blend heading into savoury territory with spicy red fruit nose and intense cranberry/plum flavours with drying tannins and tight acidity.
Comments Off on Taltarni Pyrenees Sangiovese Cabernet 2020 / 0 View / December 3, 2021