Posted: December 2, 2021
Showing plenty of personality, this merlot-based blend (67%) was matured in oak barrels (20% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with very good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and finely balanced tannins. Best drinking 2023+. $25…
Comments Off on Askerne /Malbec/Cabernet Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Distinctly reminiscent of red Bordeaux, this fleshy, very harmonious red is dark and full-bodied, with vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, impressively complex and savoury, and supple, fine-grained tannins. Drink now or cellar. $28
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Pale pink, this merlot-based rosé is lively and dry, with a touch of tannin and vigorous peachy, strawberryish and spicy flavours, showing good intensity. $25
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Attractively perfumed and weighty, this fleshy, strongly varietal wine is youthful and vibrantly fruity, with rich, peachy, well-spiced flavours and an off-dry, lengthy finish. $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Gewurztraminer 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Hand-picked at Havelock North, this youthful, vigorous wine was handled without oak. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and fleshy, with very good intensity of vibrant, ripe stone-fruit flavours, finely balanced acidity and a lasting finish. Best drinking mid-2022+. $25
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Probably at or nearing its peak, this pale gold wine was estate-grown in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (25% new). Fleshy and full-bodied, it has concentrated, ripe, peachy,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Offering good value, this barrel-fermented wine is powerful, with rich, ripe, stone-fruit flavours, oak-derived complexity, gentle acidity and a slightly oily texture. Already drinking well, it should break into full stride mid-2022+. $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Full of youthful vigour, this ripely scented, full-bodied wine has passionfruit and lime flavours, threaded with fresh acidity, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. Best drinking 2022. $22 (UK)
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Still unfolding, this hand-picked wine was partly fermented with indigenous yeasts in seasoned oak barrels. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing very good intensity, a subtle seasoning of oak, and fresh,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Richly fragrant, weighty and sweet-fruited, this distinguished wine was estate-grown, principally in the Redstone Vineyard, in the Bridge Pa Triangle, hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (20% new). Still very youthful, it has notable depth of…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Barrel Fermented Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Invitingly scented, this lively, medium-bodied wine was estate-grown at Matapiro and hand-picked relatively early, in search of a ‘dry, mineral style’. Maturing well, it has fresh acidity, with strong, peachy, gently spicy flavours. $25
Comments Off on Church Road Gwen Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This impressively rich, Alsace-style pinot gris was estate-grown at Matapiro, harvested late with some berry shrivel, and fermented and lees-aged in French oak cuves. Light gold, it is sturdy, with concentrated peach, apricot and spice flavours, gentle sweetness, a distinct…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Already drinking well, this is a powerful, full-bodied young wine, attractively scented. Fleshy, with distinct overtones of Alsace, it has concentrated, ripe, stone-fruit and spice flavours, and a dryish, lasting finish. $23 (UK)
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
From a vineyard near Havelock North, this is a high-flavoured style, fermented and matured for 11 months in American oak casks (20% new). It has a fragrant, buttery bouquet, leading into a mouthfilling, sweet-fruited wine with ripe stone-fruit and toasty…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Limeworks Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Still very youthful, this wine was hand-picked in the Havelock North hills and barrel-fermented (French, 33% new). Bright, light yellow/green, it has very good concentration of fresh, peachy, citrusy flavours, slightly smoky and toasty notes adding complexity, and a tightly…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Swamp Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Already delicious, this powerful, generous wine was fermented and matured in French oak casks (44% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and creamy-textured, with ripe stone-fruit flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, balanced acidity and a harmonious finish. Drink now…
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A top vintage, this youthful, very finely balanced wine was fermented and matured for a year in French oak puncheons. Well worth cellaring, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe stone-fruit flavours, showing impressive complexity and length, and a fragrant, slightly…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Unfolding well, this finely balanced wine was hand-picked, mostly in the Tuki Tuki Valley, and fermented and matured for 11 months in French oak barrels (19% new). Currently delicious, it is mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with strong, ripe, peachy flavours, complex,…
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
This powerful, youthful wine should be long-lived. Grown mostly in the Tuki Tuki Valley and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barrels (30% new), it has a fragrant, distinctly smoky bouquet. Full-bodied, with rich, ripe stone-fruit flavours, seasoned with…
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Likely to be long-lived, this classy wine was hand-picked and fermented and matured in French oak barrels (28% new). Light lemon/green, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, youthful, peachy, citrusy flavours, oak richness, a slightly creamy…
Comments Off on Askerne The Archer Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Andrew Peace Swan Hill Victoria Zweigelt 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Primary plum bouquet and quite a tannic palate with good blue fruit intensity.
Comments Off on Salena Estate Wines ex-PRESS-ion Ruby Cabernet Riverland Ruby Red 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Dark fruit characters, malty nuances, some mocha and sweet tannins.
Comments Off on Salena Estate Wines Ink Series Langhorne Creek Mourvèdre 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Bright spicy red berry bouquet and sweet juicy raspberry/cranberry palate with appropriate acid length.
Comments Off on Salena Estate Wines Ink Series Langhorne Creek Grenache 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A fragrant black cherry bouquet with a very sound soft plum and red berry palate.
Comments Off on Salena Estate Organic (ACO) Riverland Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Deep purple wine – bright and youthful with blackcurrant-like fruit characters showing a subtle menthol edge, the oak in a supporting role and salivating acid.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Earth Garden (BioGro NZ) Hawkes Bay, NZ Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Nutty oaky aromas with a very oaky/powerful fruit palate. Needs red meat!
Comments Off on Bodegas Corral Los Corrales De Moncalvillo Red Maturana (Organic EU) D.O.CA. Rioja Red Blend 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Cherry fruit freshness to the nose with leathery notes and a high acid palate.
Comments Off on Bodegas Corral Vine Roots Red Graciano (Organic EU) D.O.CA. Rioja Graciano 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Lifted peppery plum nose and subtle mintiness to the black fruit palate.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Earth Garden (BioGro NZ) Marlborough, NZ Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Red cherry bouquet with a grassy edge and soft fruit driven palate with savoury notes.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Earth Garden (BioGro NZ) Hawkes Bay, NZ Rosé 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A tight and lean early picked style – done well – with nice racy acidity.
Comments Off on Twisted Sticks Organic (ACO) Riverland Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Simple and subtle slatey, green apple/grapefruit style. Plenty of personality and good sugar/acid balance.
Comments Off on Cape Jaffa En Soleil Wrattonbully Pinot Gris 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Saddler’s Riverina Botrytis Semillon 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Saddler’s Riverina & Rutherglen Muscat NV / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Buttery nutty brown lime nose and nicely rounded tropical/melon palate.
Comments Off on Leefield Station Waihopai Valley Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Ripe stewed fruit characters nicely integrated with an intensity of sweet oak.
Comments Off on Z Wine Rustica Reserve Barossa Valley Shiraz 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Upfront oak dominates the rich plum fruit with subtle vanillin oak and ripe tannins.
Comments Off on Z Wine Rustica Barossa Valley Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Musky confectionery bouquet with a grassy character to the very pretty and delicate palate.
Comments Off on Z Wine Rustica Eden Valley Riesling 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Cool climate Rhone-like style with fragrant red cherry fruit, subtle use of cedary oak and long silky tannins. “Looks better after each mouthful!” said one judge.
Comments Off on Forester Estate Home Block Margaret River Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Bodegas Corral Los Corrales De Moncalvillo Red Maturana (Organic EU) D.O.CA. Rioja Red Blend 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Bodegas Corral Vine Roots Red Graciano (Organic EU) D.O.CA. Rioja Graciano 2018 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Salena Estate Organic (ACO) Riverland Shiraz 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
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Comments Off on Twisted Sticks Organic (ACO) Riverland Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Sweet punchy oak nose with a dark fruit lift and super powerful oak/fruit flavours.
Comments Off on Inner City Winemakers Smoking Gum Hilltops Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Red cherry and plum fruit characters with oak in a supporting role.
Comments Off on Paulmara Estates The Melee Barossa Sangiovese Shiraz Malbec 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
A bright youthful purple wine with ripe cherry fruit and sweet vanillin oak running through it.
Comments Off on Paulmara Estates De Nero Barossa Nero D’Avola 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Super spicy blackberry nose with a fleshy oak and red fruit palate.
Comments Off on Woody Nook Limited Release G&T Margaret River Tempranillo Graciano 2019 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Seamless integration between red berry fruit, spicy/cedary oak and fine tannins.
Comments Off on Fifth Estate Wines Michele’s Vine Geographe Shiraz 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021
Posted: December 2, 2021
Nice oak complexity to the slatey lime and melon bouquet. Citrus dominates the palate and has tropical elements with “punchy” oak.
Comments Off on Fifth Estate Wines Geographe Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / December 2, 2021