Posted: November 7, 2018
Grown at Crownthorpe and aged in French oak barrels, this ruby hued red is fresh and lively, with good depth of flavour, slightly nutty and spicy notes adding complexity, and moderate tannins. It’s probably at its peak now-2019. $23
Comments Off on Monowai Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Light ruby, with a hint of development, this is a moderately concentrated, savoury, supple pinot noir, showing considerable complexity. Drink now-2020. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering good, early drinking, this is a medium-bodied, supple red with strong, fresh, berryish, plummy, slightly earthy flavours, and oak-derived complexity. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Hawke’s Bay Malbec 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Showing mature colour, this hand-harvested, French oak-matured red is ready to roll. It has very good depth of ripe cherry and plum flavours, showing some nutty, savoury complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $85
Comments Off on Osawa Winemaker’s Collection Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this Crownthorpe-grown red was matured for a year in new to two year-old French oak casks. Ruby hued, with moderately youthful colour, it is lively, with good depth of plum, berry and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a…
Comments Off on Monowai Upper Reaches Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Probably at its peak, this unusual blend of malbec (29%), cabernet franc (26%), syrah (25%) and merlot (20%) was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and the Gimblett Gravels. Maturing well, it is fullish in colour, with very good depth…
Comments Off on Four Daughters Hawke’s Bay Red 2013 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This is a full-bodied, sweet-fruited pinot noir. Barrel-aged for 10 months, it is bright ruby, with a slightly earthy bouquet, strong cherry, plum and spice flavours and a well-rounded finish. Drink now or cellar. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering great drinkability, this medium to full-bodied red has spicy, plummy aromas and flavours. Ruby hued, with oak complexity and gentle tannins, it’s still youthful and well worth cellaring. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Grenache 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering lots of current-drinking appeal, this is a deeply coloured Gimblett Gravels red. Vibrantly fruity, it has good intensity of fresh, berryish, plummy flavours, with a seductively smooth finish. $25
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This blended red is named after the Spanish word for quarry (cantera). Deep and purple-flushed in colour, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with concentrated, plummy, gently spicy flavours, oaky, savoury notes adding complexity and a moderately firm, sustained finish. Still…
Comments Off on Smith & Sheth Cru Cantera Hawke’s Bay Red Blend 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Buoyantly fruity, this is a full-coloured, sweet-fruited red, worth cellaring to 2020+. Berryish and rich, with oak complexity, it is supple, with red berry, plum and spice flavours, fine-grained tannins and obvious potential. $50
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Priced sharply, this characterful red was matured for 18 months in oak barrels (38% new). Promisingly deep in colour, it is mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with strong, ripe berry, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated oak, gentle tannins and good…
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
If you want to see how rewarding New Zealand grenache can be, try this. Deep ruby, it is sturdy (14.5% alc/vol), with very generous, vibrant cherry, plum and spice flavours, layered, complex and very finely textured. Best drinking mid-2019+. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Grenache 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
With its full, bright, youthful colour and plummy, peppery aromas, this is a clearly varietal red. Medium-bodied, it is vibrantly fruity, with good depth of spicy flavours and gentle tannins. Best drinking 2019-2020. $22
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Drinking well now, but still unfolding, this is a deep ruby, fragrant, medium-bodied red. Plummy and spicy, with good depth, a touch of complexity and gentle tannins, it is moderately complex and well worth cellaring to 2019-20. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Designed principally for ‘on-premise’ consumption, this deep ruby red was French oak-aged for seven months. Fresh and supple, it is medium-bodied, with vibrant berry, plum and black pepper flavours, a hint of tamarillo, and a slightly nutty, smooth finish. Enjoyable…
Comments Off on Babich Black Label Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still unfolding, this is a full-bodied, vibrantly fruity red, with invitingly deep, youthful colour. Elegant and clearly varietal, it has good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, and the structure to mature gracefully. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Already enjoyable, this is a skilfully crafted red, full-coloured, with a floral bouquet. It has strong plum and spice flavours, in a clearly varietal, but savoury, style that shows impressive complexity, harmony and potential. Best drinking 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Already approachable, this graceful, supple red is full-coloured, with a plummy, spicy fragrance. It has strong plum and black pepper flavours , in a clearly varietal, elegant style. $50
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Looking for a good, affordable syrah? This skilfully crafted red has bright, youthful colour, good density of ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and a well-rounded finish. Drink now or cellar. $22
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This fresh, full-bodied red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and French oak-aged for eight months. Deep ruby, it has strong, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and a backbone of fine-grained tannins. A ‘forward’ vintage, it should be…
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Delivering excellent value, this refined young red was matured for 18 months in barrels (30% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with good density of plummy, peppery flavour and a long, spicy finish. Best drinking 2020+. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Well worth cellaring, this elegant red has deep, purple-flushed colour and an inviting, floral bouquet. Full-bodied, it has ripe plum and black pepper flavours, showing excellent vibrancy and depth, finely integrated oak and a good foundation of tannin. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A good drink-now or cellaring proposition, this Gimblett Gravels red is deeply coloured and full-bodied. Sweet-fruited, it has concentrated, vibrant plum and black pepper flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, good complexity and a finely textured finish. Best drinking 2020+….
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Priced right, this single-vineyard red is deeply coloured, full-bodied and well structured. It has fresh, concentrated plum and spice flavours, a hint of black pepper, fine-grained tannins and impressive complexity. Open 2021+. $28
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Built for cellaring, this ‘old vine’ Gimblett Gravels red was barrique-matured. Deep and bright in colour, with a fragrant, plummy, peppery bouquet, it is a full-bodied, clearly varietal wine, concentrated, savoury, complex and structured. Best drinking 2021+. $55
Comments Off on Smith & Sheth Cru Omahu Syrah 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This classy young red was grown in the Cornerstone Vineyard, hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for 15 months in French oak barriques. Dark and purple-flushed, with fragrant plum and spice aromas, it is sturdy and well structured, with…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Well worth cellaring, this deeply coloured, vibrantly fruity red is medium-bodied, with a slightly earthy bouquet. Moderately firm, with oak complexity and very good depth, it should be at its best 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Saint Clair James Sinclair Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Blended from almost equal portions of cabernet sauvignon (51%) and merlot (49%), this full-coloured red is still youthful. Mouthfilling, it is fresh, vibrantly fruity and firmly structured, with strong berry, plum and spice flavours. Open 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Grown at Mangatahi and maturing gracefully, this fleshy, full-flavoured red was matured for 20 months in French oak casks (65% new). Still moderately youthful, it is concentrated, with blackcurrant and plum characters, savoury and complex, and good tannin backbone. Drink…
Comments Off on Osawa Prestige Collection Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2013 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Fragrant, fresh and full-bodied, this elegant red was hand-picked from mature, 21-year-old vines in the company’s Mere Road Vineyard. Likely to be at its best from 2021 onwards, it has strong, vibrant, ripe-ripened blackcurrant and plum flavours, spicy and nutty…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
From the company’s vineyard in Mere Road, this is a youthful, full-coloured, medium to full-bodied red. Fresh and vibrant, it is sweet-fruited, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum and slight nut flavours, refined tannins and oak complexity. $50
Comments Off on Mills Reef Elspeth Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Offering very good value, this is an ageworthy blend of cabernet sauvignon (53%) and merlot (47%). The colour is deep and bright; the palate full-bodied and refined, with concentrated berry, plum and spice flavours, complex, savoury and structured. Best drinking…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still a baby, this dark, purple-flushed red has a slightly earthy bouquet, leading into a dense, structured palate. A single-vineyard wine, it is full-bodied and highly concentrated, with cassis, plum and spice flavours. Open 2021+. $60
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Densely coloured, this is a fragrant, vibrantly fruity, still very youthful red. Full-bodied and supple, it is highly concentrated, with well-ripened blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, long and smooth. Best drinking 2021+. $50
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Set for the long haul, this bold 70/30 blend was matured for 18 months in French oak casks (35% new). Dense and youthful in colour, it is full-bodied, with highly concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, braced by firm tannins,…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still a baby, this is a very elegant red, set for a long life. Dark and purple-flushed, it is mouthfilling, with vibrant, well-ripened blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing excellent density, and a seamless, persistent finish. Open 2021+. $60
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels /Malbec Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This very refined, savoury Gimblett Gravels red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (51%), merlot (27%) and malbec (22%), estate-grown in the Irongate Vineyard. Dark and highly fragrant, it is full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe blackcurrant, plum, spice and nutty oak…
Comments Off on Babich The Patriarch Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Likely to flourish for a decade, this elegant red has deep, youthful colour. Fragrant and supple, with strong blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, finely integrated French oak and a savoury, sustained finish, it’s a classic ‘Bordeaux-style’ red, showing impressive complexity…
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Cabernet Merlot Franc 2015 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable young, this is a medium to full-bodied red, with bright, fullish colour. It offers good depth of fresh, plummy, spicy flavours, with savoury notes adding a touch of complexity and a smooth finish. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
A good value, drink-young red. Fullish in colour, with fresh, plummy, slightly spicy aromas, it is medium-bodied, with very satisfying depth of dark berry and plum flavours, offering smooth, easy drinking. (From Villa Maria). $14
Comments Off on Thornbury Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Priced right, this medium-bodied, easy-drinking red was grown at Crownthorpe. Fullish in colour, it has fresh, berryish, plummy aromas and flavours, in a ‘fruit-driven’ style with a hint of herbs, good depth and a smooth finish. $18
Comments Off on Monowai Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This generous, ‘fruit-driven’ style is already drinking well. Full-coloured, with strong plum and blackcurrant flavours, a hint of herbs and a well-rounded finish, it offers fine value. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Merlot/ Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Certified organic, this is a generous red with full, purple-flushed colour. It offers fresh, strong, plummy, slightly spicy flavours, in a ‘fruit-driven’ style with gentle tannins and some cellaring potential. Best drinking mid-2019+. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Organic Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Enjoyable young, but still unfolding, this full-coloured blend has a berryish, spicy bouquet. A fruit-driven style, it has good depth of youthful, berryish, spicy flavours, fresh and finely balanced. Best drinking 2019+. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This slightly gutsy red was matured for 10 months in French oak casks. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and fruity, with some earthy notes, very good depth and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking mid-2019+. $19
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This youthful blend (two-thirds merlot) was matured for 18 months in barrels (40% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with fresh plum, spice and herb flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, smooth tannins and very good depth. $23
Comments Off on Askerne Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Delicious young, this dark, purple-flushed blend was matured for 20 months in oak barriques. Fragrant and full-bodied, it has generous, plummy flavours to the fore, hints of blackcurrants and spices, and a smooth finish. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Merlot/ Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
This powerful young red was grown in the Gimblett Gravels. Deeply coloured, it has good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, good tannin backbone, and a hint of dark chocolate. Best 2020+. $25
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018
Posted: November 7, 2018
Still youthful, this single-vineyard red is deeply coloured, fragrant and full-bodied, with greater intensity that you’d expect in its price range. Packed with plummy, spicy fruit, it is moderately firm, with a long life ahead. $20
Comments Off on Delta Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / November 7, 2018