Posted: April 5, 2017
Fruit-driven style, partly oak-aged, with deep colour, a peppery bouquet and fresh, strong plum, herb and spice flavours, with gentle tannins. $27 (UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, smooth, fruit-driven style, not barrel-aged. Vibrantly fruity, with plenty of plummy, peppery flavour, in a strongly varietal style. Described by one judge as “pretty”. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Smooth, dark red with ripe plum/spice flavours, and slight tamarillo and earth notes. Gamey and herby, with some savoury complexity. $56 (A)
Comments Off on Crossroads Talisman Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Boldly fruity, deeply coloured red, matured for 18 months in French oak barrels (30% new). Medium to full-bodied, tightly structured style, with fresh, strong blackcurrant/spice flavours, smoky, herbal, earthy notes, and firm tannins. $60
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Deerstalkers Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured, firmly structured red, estate-grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for over a year in mostly French oak barriques. Strong plum and black pepper flavours, with hints of licorice and violets, and a distinctly spicy finish. $34 (A,…
Comments Off on Alpha Domus The Barnstormer Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fine value red, mostly (80%) barrel-aged. Boldly coloured, with deep, ripe, well-rounded flavours of spices and licorice, a slightly earthy streak, and good acidity and length. (Labelled ‘shiraz’, rather than syrah, to attract supermarket shoppers.) $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Shiraz Hawke’s Bay 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, supple red, matured for 15 months in barrels (20% new). Deeply coloured, with blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, in a silky, finely textured style, described by one panellist as “pinot noir-like”. $25 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Very youthful, floral, fruit-packed style, with deep, bright colour and strong, fresh, plummy, peppery flavours, showing good purity. Elegant, with a soft, long finish. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, rich, youthful, Gimblett Gravels red, matured for 11 months in French oak (30% new). Deeply coloured and mouthfilling, with ripe plum, spice and licorice flavours that linger well. $38 (UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, purple-flushed red with strong plum/spice flavours and some earthy, gamey notes adding complexity. Firm, peppery and savoury, with very good depth, structure and potential. $25 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mission Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, concentrated red, matured for a year in French oak casks (23% new). Rich, well-ripened flavours of blackcurrants, plums and spices, with a finely textured finish. $45 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Mission Jewelstone Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deep ruby, vibrantly fruity red, aged for eight months in French oak casks (72%), American oak casks (8%), and tanks (20%). Medium to full-bodied style with generous, ripe berry fruit and spice flavours, good complexity and richness, and fine-grained tannins….
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Boldly coloured, sweet-fruited red, with dense plum and black pepper flavours, and savoury, toasty notes adding complexity. Described by one judge as “a burly, ripe style, more shiraz than syrah.” $25
Comments Off on Esk Valley Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, full-bodied, soft red, with dark, purple-flushed colour and an attractive bouquet of red berries, fruitcake and spice. Fruity, with plum and slight licorice flavours, rich and smooth. $27
Comments Off on Clearview Cape Kidnappers Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Concentrated, firmly structured red, grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle. Dark, with a fragrant bouquet of violets, oak complexity and a strong surge of plum, spice and slight licorice flavours. Well worth cellaring. $30
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Densely coloured, highly concentrated red, matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (35% new). Youthful, ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, with an earthy streak and firm tannins. (One judge scored it five stars.) $60
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dense, youthful red, grown in the Cornerstone Vineyard and matured for 16 months in French oak barriques (55% new). Richly varietal and vibrantly fruity, with deep plum, blackcurrant and spice flavours, and a firm, tightly structured, long finish. $60
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Powerful, sweet-fruited red, bargain-priced. Deeply coloured and floral, with concentrated, youthful, very ripe flavours of red fruits and spices, a hint of licorice, and supple tannins. Drink now-2020+. $20
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Instantly appealing, deliciously rich and smooth-flowing red. Grown in the Gimblett Gravels (two-thirds) and the Bridge Pa Triangle (one-third), and matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (20% new). Mouthfilling and boldly coloured, with concentrated plum, licorice and spice…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Stylish, youthful, “brooding” wine (according to one judge), dark and dense. Matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (38% new), it is sweet-fruited, with notably concentrated, well-ripened blackcurrant, plum, spice and licorice flavours, firmly structured, savoury and lasting. $80
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Highly expressive in its youth, but very ageworthy, this dark, fragrant blend (2% viognier) is concentrated, sweet-fruited and finely structured. Rich, ripe and smooth, with hints of licorice, it offers great value. $28
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Dark, with an invitingly fragrant, aromatic bouquet (1.5% viognier) of violets, boysenberry and licorice. Fresh, with intense, ripe plum and spice flavours, vibrant, silky-textured and long. Fine value. $28 (UK)
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Bold, dense colour, with a fragrant bouquet of spices and licorice. Highly concentrated, with good weight, rich, very ripe plum, spice and licorice flavours, and a firm backbone of tannin. Best drinking 2017+. $27
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured and mouthfilling, with good depth of berryish, spicy, herby and nutty flavours. Slightly leafy, but softly textured, with some riper fruit notes. “Very varietal”, according to one judge. $37
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Selection Pacemaker Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful Hawke’s Bay blend of roughly equal portions of malbec, cabernet franc, syrah and merlot. Fullish colour, with ripe, moderately rich berry and spice flavours, a smooth finish and a fragrant bouquet. $18
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Four Daughters 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured, tightly structured red, mouthfilling (14.5% alc/vol), with youthful, berryish, slightly earthy flavours and firm tannins. Still youthful. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Grenache 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, deeply coloured, youthful red with a strong surge of plummy, spicy flavours and slightly rustic, earthy, meaty notes. Best drinking mid-2017+. (One judge scored it five stars.) $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Elegant, youthful, savoury red, with full but not dense colour. Ripe plum and spice flavours, showing good complexity (French oak, 30% new, for 15 months) and a persistent, well-structured finish. $25
Comments Off on Mission Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Notably dark, rich and youthful red, matured for well over a year in French oak barrels (60% new). Concentrated, with beautifully ripe plum, dark chocolate and licorice flavours, fairly firm tannins and a lasting finish. Very ageworthy. $60
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Classy, youthful red, full-coloured, with strong berry and spice flavours, well-integrated oak adding complexity, and excellent ripeness and depth. Dense, savoury, ‘serious’ wine, well worth cellaring. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
From a mystery blend, this is a dense, dark Hawke’s Bay red with a complex bouquet of red and black fruits, seasoned with cedary oak. Showing lovely freshness and finesse, it’s a classy, finely balanced wine, tight and very ageworthy….
Comments Off on Crossroads Talisman 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, full-coloured, Gimblett Gravels red with strong berry/spice flavours, slightly earthy and herbal notes, and a smooth finish. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Organic Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, bright-coloured blend of merlot (79%) and cabernet sauvignon (21%), with strong plum and herb flavours to the fore and firm tannins. $25
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Reserve Merlot Cabernet 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
One judge praised this wine for its concentrated plum/spice flavours and tannin backbone, while another found some savoury, nutty complexities, but two judges noted premature development. $28
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Halo Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Full-coloured, berryish, slightly herbal red with plenty of flavour and a moderately firm finish. $19
Comments Off on Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Slightly herby and earthy red, blended from estate-grown merlot (85%), cabernet sauvignon (10%) and cabernet franc (5%), French oak-aged for a year. Medium to full-bodied, with good freshness and flavour depth. $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Left Field Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Youthful, vibrantly fruity red, barrel-aged for six months. Floral, with strong, plummy flavours , hints of spices and herbs, restrained oak and gentle tannins. $17
Comments Off on Haha Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deeply coloured, full-flavoured, tightly structured blend with some herbal notes, a biscuity oak influence and firm tannins. $20
Comments Off on Church Road Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Medium-bodied, ruby-hued blend with good depth of plum, spice and herb flavours, some savoury oak, and an early-drinking appeal. $22
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fresh, lively, vibrantly fruity blend of merlot (83%), cabernet sauvignon (12%) and malbec (5%), partly barrel-matured. Medium-bodied, with plummy flavours, hints of cassis and coffee, and a smooth finish. $16 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Vidal Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, fruit-packed, youthful red, matured for 10 months with French and American oak staves. Plenty of plummy, spicy flavour, with a touch of complexity and moderately firm tannins. Fine value. $15
Comments Off on Thornbury Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Generous, youthful wine, full-coloured, with fresh plum, spice and herb flavours, and finely balanced tannins. Attractive, moderately complex red, described by one judge as a “more Bordeaux style”. Worth cellaring. $19
Comments Off on Sileni Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fruit-packed, supple, merlot-based blend (83%), matured in French oak casks (33% new). Full-coloured, with strong, ripe red berry, plum and spice flavours. $50
Comments Off on Sacred Hill Brokenstone 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deeply coloured blend of merlot (70%), cabernet sauvignon (25%) and cabernet franc (5%), grown in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, and matured in French oak casks (55% new). Fresh blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, with savoury notes adding complexity, and…
Comments Off on Mission Jewelstone Antoine 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Supple, generous red, estate-grown in the Esk Valley and French oak-aged. Deeply coloured and weighty, with berryish, slightly herbal flavours, strong and smooth. $30 (A)
Comments Off on Linden Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2013 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Easy-drinking blend of merlot (44%), cabernet sauvignon (30%), malbec (22%) and cabernet franc (4%). Full-coloured and vibrantly fruity, with fresh, plummy, slightly herbal flavours, a gentle seasoning of biscuity oak (40% new), and very good balance and depth. $20 (UK,…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Merlot Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Fragrant, dark, Hawke’s Bay blend of merlot (66%), malbec (16%) and cabernet franc (16%), matured in oak (40% new.) Deeply coloured, with strong plum, blackcurrant and herb flavours, some savoury and funky notes, and a firmly structured finish. $55
Comments Off on Clearview Enigma 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deeply coloured, supple, drink-young blend of merlot (65%) with cabernet franc, cabernet sauvignon, malbec and petit verdot, barrel-aged for 10 months. Strong plum and spice flavours, showing some savoury complexity. $22
Comments Off on Askerne Merlot Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon Malbec 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Deeply coloured, firm, youthful red, with strong, ripe plum/spice flavours. Rich, with a subtle oak influence and soft tannins. Bargain-priced. $16 (UK)
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2015 / 0 View / April 5, 2017
Posted: April 5, 2017
Floral, deeply coloured, single-vineyard Gimblett Gravels red, American oak-matured. Mouthfilling, with ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing some savoury complexity, and soft tannins. Praised by one judge as “moreish”. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2014 / 0 View / April 5, 2017