Posted: December 10, 2019
Ruby hued, this mouthfilling, supple red was barrel-aged for a year. Enjoyable now, it has fresh, gentle, strawberryish, spicy flavours and a touch of complexity. $26
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Priced sharply, this bright ruby, softly mouthfilling red is savoury and sweet-fruited, with cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a smooth finish. Drink now-2021. $20
Comments Off on Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Hawke’s Bay Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This classy young red was matured for 16 months in American oak barriques (partly new). Full-coloured, with a fragrant, berryish, spicy bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with excellent density of vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, earthy, savoury notes adding complexity,…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Tempranillo 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This medium-bodied red was oak-aged for 10 months. Bright ruby, with a fresh, peppery fragrance, it is vibrantly fruity and supple, with lively, plummy, spicy flavours and lots of drink-young charm. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A drink-young charmer, this single-vineyard red was matured for seven months in French and American oak casks. Bright ruby, it is floral and supple, in a medium-bodied style with ripe, plummy, distinctly spicy flavours, a touch of complexity and gentle…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
An attractive, drink-young style, this medium-bodied red is vibrant and supple, with youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh acidity and gentle tannins. Best drinking 2021+. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This highly approachable red is bright ruby, fresh and smooth. Medium to full-bodied, it has plenty of ripe, plummy, peppery flavour, some savoury notes adding a touch of complexity, and a well-rounded finish. $20
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Enjoyable young, but still unfolding, this is a fresh, medium-bodied red, deep ruby, with a spicy, slightly earthy bouquet. Strongly varietal, it has good depth of plummy, spicy flavours, slightly savoury notes and a long, peppery finish. $16
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Mouthfilling and smooth, this easy-drinking red was barrel-aged for a year. It has very good depth of plummy, spicy flavours, with nutty, savoury notes adding complexity. $24
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This smooth-flowing, generous red is already enjoyable. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, savoury and supple, with good concentration of plum, spice and black pepper flavours, showing considerable complexity, and a lengthy finish. $25
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this full-coloured red was matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Mouthfilling, with fresh acidity and strong, vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, it should be at its best 2021+. $27
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This Gimblett Gravels red is deep ruby, savoury and spicy. Still youthful, it is full-bodied and lively, with good density of plum and black pepper flavours, slightly earthy notes and a firmly structured finish. Best drinking 2021+. $30
Comments Off on Te Awa Single Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Bargain-priced, this fragrant, full-bodied red includes minor portions of merlot (8%), malbec (4%) and cabernet franc (2%). Full-coloured, with a plummy, spicy bouquet, it is youthful, with concentrated plum and black pepper flavours and a fairly firm, long finish. Best…
Comments Off on Ngatarawa Stables Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Fresh and full-bodied, this ageworthy red was matured in a mix of American (56%) and French (44%) oak casks (26% new). Full-coloured, it has strong, blackpepper and plum aromas and flavours, showing very good complexity, hints of liquorice and dark…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This floral, supple, finely textured red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured in old French oak barrels. Deep ruby, it’s already drinking well, with plummy, spicy flavours, showing excellent complexity and harmony. Best drinking 2021+. $30 (A,…
Comments Off on Matahiwi Estate Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Drinking well now, but still youthful, this full-coloured red was matured for a year in French oak casks (40 per cent new). It has fresh, peppery aromas, leading into a mouthfilling, supple wine with vibrant plum and black pepper flavours,…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full-coloured, with a fragrant, peppery bouquet, this mouthfilling red has fresh, strong, berryish, spicy flavours. Grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and matured for eight months in French oak barrels (25% new), it is still youthful, with very good depth,…
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers’ Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This elegant, vividly varietal red was matured for eight months in a mix of barriques and 5,000-litre oak ovals. Full-coloured, with a floral, peppery bouquet, it is medium to full-bodied, with strong, youthful, plum and black pepper flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This sturdy, finely structured, highly fragrant red was hand-harvested, blended with a splash of viognier (1.3%) and matured for a year in French oak casks (27% new). It has excellent concentration of plum, spice and black pepper flavours, showing good…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Chalk Ridge Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
At five years old, this highly perfumed, powerful red is a pleasure to drink, but still unfolding. Matured for 17 months in French oak barriques (35% new), it is dark and full-bodied, with dense, beautifully ripe flavours of plums, spices,…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A classic cellaring style, this fragrant, savoury red was grown at two sites in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (36% new). Full-coloured, with a peppery bouquet, it is well structured, with strong, youthful,…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This highly refined red was hand-picked at two sites in the Gimblett Gravels and matured for 20 months in French oak barriques (43% new). Dark and floral, with inviting plum and black pepper aromas, it has dense plum, berry and…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still a baby, this Gimblett Gravels red was matured for 15 months in French oak ovals and barriques. It has deep, purple-flushed colour and a highly scented, peppery bouquet. Mouthfilling, vibrantly fruity and supple, with deep plum and black pepper…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill Homage Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Built for the long haul, this beautifully structured red was hand-picked in the Cornerstone Vineyard and matured for 15 months in French oak barriques. Dark and concentrated, it is fragrant and sturdy, with deep, youthful blackcurrant, plum and black pepper…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Set for a long life, this powerful, highly refined red was grown in the Chalk Ridge vineyard, on the edge of the Havelock North hills. Hand-harvested and matured for a year in French oak casks (45% new), it is dark…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Reserve Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This bargain-priced red was partly (20%) barrel-aged for 18 months. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with fresh, berryish, slightly herbal and spicy flavours, showing good depth. $16
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This fresh, supple, medium to full-bodied red is a blend of cabernet sauvignon (71%) and merlot (29%). Full-coloured, it has very good depth of blackcurrant, plum and herb flavours, a gentle seasoning of French oak (14 months in seasoned barrels)…
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This full-coloured red was matured in French oak barriques. It has a fragrant, savoury bouquet, leading into a mouthfilling wine with strong, berryish, spicy flavours, showing considerable complexity, and good tannin backbone. Best drinking 2021+. $65
Comments Off on Linden Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Already drinking well, this is a blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and cabernet franc. Full-coloured, it is savoury and complex, with mouthfilling body, deep, berryish, spicy, nutty flavours, and the structure to age well. Best 2021+. $55
Comments Off on Linden Estate Dam Block Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still very youthful, this dark, fragrant, powerful red was matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (45% new). Full-bodied, it has concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, nutty oak adding complexity, and a long, tightly structured finish. An elegant,…
Comments Off on Vidal Soler Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This classy, densely packed red is a 4:1 blend of cabernet sauvignon and merlot, matured for 20 months in French oak barriques (60% new). Still purple-flushed, it is highly fragrant, full-bodied and complex, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours,…
Comments Off on Vidal Legacy Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This very ageworthy, blended red is dominated by cabernet sauvignon (43%) and cabernet franc (41%), with splashes of merlot and malbec. Matured for 16 months in French oak barriques (35% new), it is deeply coloured, full-bodied, fresh and vigorous, with…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill The Gimblett Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot Malbec Shiraz 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
A refined, very ‘complete’ wine, this dark, fragrant red is mouthfilling, rich and supple, with lovely depth of blackcurrant, plum, red berry and spice flavours, finely integrated oak and a very harmonious, lasting finish. Already delicious, but full of potential,…
Comments Off on Esk Valley Winemakers Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This powerful, weighty, youthful red is a blend of cabernet franc (34%), cabernet sauvignon (32%) and merlot (26%), with a splash of malbec. Hand-harvested in the Gimblett Gravels (75%) and the Bridge Pa Triangle (25%), it was matured for 21…
Comments Off on Elephant Hill Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Franc Cabernet Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This refined Gimblett Gravels red was matured for over a year in French oak barriques (40% new). Dark and youthful in colour, it is mouthfilling and well-structured, with deep blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, oak complexity and an inviting fragrance….
Comments Off on Babich Irongate Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot Cabernet Franc 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Certified organic, this ruby-hued red is medium-bodied, with berryish, slightly spicy flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and a fresh, smooth finish. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Organic Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Enjoyable young, this full-coloured, mouthfilling red is vibrantly fruity, with good depth of plummy, slightly spicy flavours, fresh and smooth. $16
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This very easy-drinking red is full-coloured and mouthfilling, with fresh, vibrant, berryish, spicy flavours, gentle tannins and a smooth finish. It’s not a complex style, but enjoyable young and priced right. $16
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Still unfolding, this mouthfilling red has very good depth of vibrant plum, spice and herb flavours, finely balanced tannins and some savoury complexity. Best drinking mid-2020+. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pask Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This sharply priced red is based on merlot (77%) and cabernet sauvignon (19%), with splashes of malbec and cabernet franc. Full-coloured, with a fragrant, slightly herbal bouquet, it is mouthfilling and supple, with generous, berryish, slightly spicy and herbal flavours,…
Comments Off on Mission Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Deeply coloured, with a fresh, slightly herbal bouquet, this blend of merlot (54%), cabernet sauvignon (33%) and cabernet franc (13%) spent a year in French oak (30% new). Mouthfilling, it is vibrantly fruity and supple, with generous blackcurrant, plum, herb…
Comments Off on Mills Reef Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Drinking well now, this single-vineyard red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and barrel-aged for 18 months. Full-coloured, it is fresh, mouthfilling and supple, with generous, berryish, slightly spicy and nutty flavours. $24
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Full-coloured and mouthfilling, this fresh, vibrant red has good depth of berryish, slightly spicy flavours, savoury, nutty notes adding complexity and a smooth finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $20
Comments Off on Babich Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This elegant, fruit-packed red is a 2:1 blend of merlot and cabernet sauvignon, matured for 18 months in French barriques (20% new). Fragrant and full-coloured, it has very good body and depth of fresh, plummy, spicy flavours. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot 2017 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Freshly scented, this fruit-packed red was hand-harvested and matured for a year in French oak barrels (25% new). It has bold, purple-flushed colour, mouthfilling body, generous, plummy, spicy flavours and a gentle seasoning of oak. Best drinking 2021+. $25
Comments Off on Mills Reef Reserve Gimblett Gravels Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
This full-bodied, youthful, single-vineyard red was grown in the Bridge Pa Triangle and barrel-aged for 18 months. Deeply coloured, it has generous, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, woven with fresh acidity, and gentle tannins. Best drinking 2020+. $28
Comments Off on Leveret Estate Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Deeply coloured, this youthful red is a blend of merlot (43%), cabernet sauvignon (36%), cabernet franc (11%), petit verdot (7%) and malbec (3%). Mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, it has generous, plummy, spicy flavours, a hint of herbs, and a very smooth…
Comments Off on Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Cabernet Franc 2018 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Set for a long life, this is a sturdy, fleshy, youthful red, deeply coloured, with concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding complexity and a firm foundation of tannin. Best drinking 2022+. $40
Comments Off on The Regent of Tantallon Limited Edition Hawke’s Bay Merlot Cabernet 2015 / 0 View / December 10, 2019
Posted: December 10, 2019
Grown in the Irongate Vineyard, this fragrant, very elegant Gimblett Gravels red is full-coloured, with excellent body and depth of berryish, spicy flavours. French oak-aged for a year, it is complex and savoury, with good cellaring potential. $35
Comments Off on Babich Winemakers Reserve Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2016 / 0 View / December 10, 2019