Posted: November 9, 2017
Big bold fruit with plenty of sweet vanilla and cinnamon oak. Palate is big with tannins and fruit jockeying for position. $27.00
Comments Off on Pukeora Ruahine Range Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Attractive core of red fruits with a little dried herb. Softly tannic, simply fruited but appealing. $19.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Super-ripe raspberry and cherry fruit explodes on the nose. Simple and direct but with lots of appealing youthful charm. $22.00
Comments Off on Pask Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A meaty, savoury nose. Tightly structured with oak and fruit starting to integrate well. Not to most concentrated wine but well done. $22.00
Comments Off on Askerne Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Hint of peppery rotundone sits alongside dark plum and berry. Plenty of silky tannins, a supple wine that is light on its feet. $25.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very appealing blueberry and boysenberry with a hint of pepper and spice on the nose. Densely fruited but silky tannins give a charming textural edge to the fruit. Definitely concentrated but manages to retain a pretty floral edge. $45.00
Comments Off on Church Road Grand Reserve Hawke Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A big, ripe style of Syrah with red plum and boysenberry fruit and a touch of cracked pepper. The flavours are rich and concentrated and lead to a long, lingering finish. $50.00
Comments Off on Pask Declaration Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Going through a bit of a closed phase right now; the nose was very tight and brooding with lots of dark fruit and exotic spice but somehow buttoned down. The palate is powerful and concentrated with dense, chewy tannins quite…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Impenetrable colour. Quite a bit of oak here though there is some savoury leather and game starting to show alongside the fruit. Silky tannins support. Great length. $50.00
Comments Off on Mission Jewelstone Syrah 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Still fairly youthful and primary with masses of cracked pepper, violets and plum. A very pure style of Syrah that shows so much concentration and intensity. There is plenty of potential here. $25.00
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely juicy floral notes of redcurrant, raspberry and a little bit of smoky bacon in the background. Sweetly fruited, bright and juicy with just a wee hint of tannin in the background. Super delicious and fun, not going to make…
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very pretty and peppery. Plenty of blackberry and plum fruit but attractive, expansive nose allows hints of lavender and violets to peep through. Definite note of warmth from alcohol, a powerfully fruited wine that has excellent concentration and length. $25.00
Comments Off on Esk Valley Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Strongly aromatic; floral rose petal and lavender. Very pure, focused style of Syrah, not the most concentrated wine but beautifully judged with peppery, plummy fruit supported by silky, finely grained tannin. $25.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Fruit slightly subdued at first but opens up in the glass to reveal some pretty doris plum and blueberry. A very ripe style, tannins are well judged and though they are fairly bold, they are well integrated. Excellent length. $28.00
Comments Off on Church Road McDonald Series Hawke Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Showing quite a bit of bottle development; lots of sweet fruit, gentle leafy flavours and a touch of ripe tannin. Perfect right now but needs drinking soon. $28.00
Comments Off on Pukeora Ruahine Range Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A firmly structured wine packed with boysenberry, dark plum and blueberry fruit. There is plenty of oak and tannin which, at this youthful stage, make the wine pretty hard work. But there is enough concentration to suggests that with time,…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Malbec 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very pretty aroma; school ink, ripe raspberry fruit and a touch of melting chocolate
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Tempranillo 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very fragrant, packed with lovely lifted floral and raspberry fruit. Some white pepper and violet florals too. Decadent and juicy with a soft, plump generous palate. Really very lovely. $25.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Grenache 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Bright and juicy with lots of redcurrant and raspberry fruit. There is a just a touch of tannin and spicy oak but very subtle; this is as an appealing early drinking wine. $18.00
Comments Off on Left Field Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Big oaky nose, almost a touch of raspberry ripple ice cream sits alongside strawberry and red plum fruit. Chewy dense tannins. Quite a lot of wine for the price. $16.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very lifted blueberry and red plum with a real juicy sweetness to the aroma. Tannins bite in halfway through. Not overtly concentrated but attractive. $25.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely floral red fruited wine; appealing and bright with a good degree of perfume and upfront charm. The tannins are quite marked; just a tad firm at present but should resolve with time in bottle. $16.00
Comments Off on Vidal Estate Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Red fruited; lots of juicy raspberry and strawberry fruit and quite a bit of sweet cedar oak too. Attractive easy drinking, fruit is ripe as are the tannins. $20.00
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Selection Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Starting to show just a bit of age, with red fruits definitely but also an edge of leather and leaf starting to creep in. Firm on the palate, lots of chewy tannin but just enough fruit to support. Attractive drinking…
Comments Off on Pask Merlot 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very bright and fresh with plenty of raspberry and red plum fruit, a silky texture and low impact tannins. Not particularly complex but lots of “drink me me now” appeal. A fun, exuberant wine. $24.90
Comments Off on Saint Clair Premium Hawkes Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very polished aroma; vanilla and coconut with blueberry and doris plum too. A layer of chewy tannin lays right across the palate giving structure. There is real concentration and intensity suggesting this is a great candidate for the cellar. $30.00
Comments Off on Te Awa Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lots of interest;, star anise, black plum. Plenty of fruit to support the charry smoky notes. Maybe doesn’t have the length of really top examples but very appealing. $16.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Densely fruited. Lots of blueberry, damson plum on the nose. Big, opulent, fleshy characters. Lots of tannin but core of fruit seems to soak it up. Not immediately appealing and takes time to open up but grows in charm. Good…
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Pure, attractive fragrant red berry and raspberry fruit. Not too bold, retains a sense of restraint with just a touch of cedar spiced oak in support. Silky and soft, with good concentration and length. Amazing value $15.00
Comments Off on Thornbury Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Still primary with plenty of blueberry, dark plum and berry. Quite a bit of oak layering over the fruit. The palate is chewy with finely grained tannins acting as a counterpoint to the fruit. Good length. $18.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
No mistaking the oak here; huge amount of toast, vanilla and sweet spice. Plenty of fruit underneath; dark berry and plum with orange curacao notes. Big, chewy and dense with a long finish. $28.00
Comments Off on Pukeora Ruahine Range The Benches 2013 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Massive opulent wine showing huge exotic almost wild notes of blueberry spice, red liquorice and star anise. Complex multi dimensional wine. Well judged tannins support rather than overwhelm the fruit. Plenty to like here. $30.00
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Malbec 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Immense colour. Very youthful but nose packed with plum, blueberry, blackcurrant and wild raspberry. Exotic notes of sweet spice and liquorice, with enough stuffing to soak up the very pronounced oak. Despite being a huge wine, it retains charm and…
Comments Off on Church Road Hawkes Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Big, bold and opulently fruited with plenty of cinnamon and sweet spice oak in support. Generously fruited with lovely density and some sweet slippery tannins to support. Not the boldest wine but pretty and restrained. $50.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Starting to show a little maturity, the dark berry and doris plum fruit has been joined by notes of savoury leather and spice. A concentrated yet elegant wine that has a lovely backbone of tannin. Good length. $33.00
Comments Off on Sileni Estate Triangle Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Sweet vanilla oak tis he most noticeable feature of the nose; overlaying the red plum and berry fruit. Tannins are well judged. Not too bold, well executed with a delightful silky quality to the fruit. Long, though admittedly quite oaky,…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Lovely bright juicy blueberry fruit. A firm background of tannin coming through, just a bit grippy at this stage but should ensure wine develops well. $50.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Really pretty; some dark cherry and berry fruit. Touch of new oak at the back. Blueberry and sweet spice. A little grip of tannin coming through. Reasonably fleshy and bright, not particularly lengthy but attractive drinking for the middle term….
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very lifted blackcurrant fruit with a touch of florals too. Crisply fruited with firm acidity, powdery tannins across the palate. Just a wee bit dilute. $40.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Bespoke Cabernet Franc Cabernet Sauvignon 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Intensely coloured with a big bold aroma; blackcurrant and blueberry fruit, with an appealing hint of graphite starting to emerge. Very polished and bold, good spine of both acid and tannin yet palate retains lovely grip and density. Quite an…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A very appealing aroma with a delightful touch of capsicum and leaf sitting alongside fresh blackcurrant fruit. Some violet florals too. Tannins are there but finely grained and although quite big in volume, more than balanced by weight of fruit….
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels The Gimblett 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Beautiful bright colour. There is masses of fruit; redcurrant and blackcurrant with some plum and berry. There is plenty of cinnamon and spice oak cloaking the fruit, and this isn’t fully integrated yet. But the finish is tremendous suggesting that…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Cabernet Sauvignon 2014 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Deeply fruited with plenty of dark berry and cassis fruit, a serious amount of oak and a firm, fine grained tannic backbone. A big powerful wine that has masses of concentration and power but needs time in bottle to really…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Very pale pink. A dry, tight rosé, clean and crisp with some candy floss and red strawberry fruit. Uncomplicated easy drinking. $16.00
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Rosé 2017 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Pale pink. Pretty summer pudding aroma of raspberry, strawberry and rose petal. Dry and satisfying with a lovely thread of freshness. Super appealing, clean and crisp. $20.00
Comments Off on Esk Valley Rosé 2017 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Floral youthful chardonnay that doesn’t have much by way of complexity but is instead straightforward and crisp. $16.00
Comments Off on Vidal Estate Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
An uncomplicated fruity style of chardonnay made in an attractive, easy drinking style. Lots of peachy fruit and a nice line of acidity keeping the palate in check. $18.00
Comments Off on Left Field Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
Not as opulent as some, this is a tightly bound, restrained chardonnay that has a strong grapefruit and lime character. Hint of cinnamon oak supports the fruit. Lovely mouthwatering acidity. $35.00
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
A solid, straightforward chardonnay destined for early drinking. Ripe banana and melon with a touch of oak too. Palate has acid and drive. $19.00
Comments Off on Mills Reef Estate Chardonnay 2016 / 0 View / November 9, 2017
Posted: November 9, 2017
An understated style; there is a hint of oak on the nose plus some rock melon and pear. Decent length and intensity. Nice to see a wine with a little age. $28.50
Comments Off on Alchemy Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / November 9, 2017