Posted: March 7, 2019
Enjoyable young, this medium-bodied wine was grown in the Awatere and upper Wairau valleys and partly (35%) barrel-aged. Bright ruby, it is cherryish and plummy, with distinctly spicy notes, a hint of herbs and some savoury complexity. $25 (A)
Comments Off on Haha Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Deep ruby, this is a medium-bodied, vibrantly fruity red with strong, plummy flavours, a hint of herbs, moderate complexity and a well-rounded finish. Drink now-2020. $25
Comments Off on Tohu Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Priced sharply, this youthful red was grown mostly in the Eyrie Vineyard, in the Waihopai Valley, and barrel-aged for eight months. Deep ruby, it is fragrant, full-bodied and supple, with cherry and plum flavours, showing good depth, well-integrated oak and…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Deep ruby, this is a full-bodied red with generous, ripe plum/spice flavours, a hint of herbs and gentle tannins. Still very fresh and youthful, it should break into full stride mid-2020+. $25 (US)
Comments Off on Grove Mill Wairau Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
A very enjoyable drink-young style, this blend of Wairau Valley (mostly) and Awatere Valley grapes was partly oak-aged. Light ruby, it is medium-bodied, vibrant, sweet-fruited and supple, with gentle cherry, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a touch of…
Comments Off on Black Cottage Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Delicious young, this Wairau Valley red was matured for 11 months in French oak barriques. Deep ruby, it is floral, sweet-fruited and supple, with rich, cherryish, plummy flavours, fresh acidity and a very harmonious finish. $27
Comments Off on Vidal Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Still very youthful, this is a fragrant, ruby hued red. Hand-picked and French oak-aged for 10 months, it is full-bodied, with good density of fresh cherry and plum flavours, a hint of herbs, considerable complexity and a fairly firm finish….
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this is a single-vineyard red, estate-grown in the Awatere Valley. Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and fruit-packed, with vibrant, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing good concentration, and fine-grained tannins. Best drinking 2020+. $35
Comments Off on Tohu Rore Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fleshy, flavoursome, single-vineyard red was grown in the lower Waihopai Valley. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with good concentration of cherry, plum and spice flavours and a smooth finish. Enjoyable now, it should be at its best…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fragrant, youthful red was grown in the Omaka Valley. Bright ruby, it has strong, ripe plum/spice flavours, with nutty, savoury notes adding complexity, and a structured, finely balanced finish. Best drinking 2020+. $27
Comments Off on Esk Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Offering good value, this fragrant, full-bodied wine is drinking well now. Bright ruby, it is sweet-fruited and savoury, with strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing considerable complexity. $23 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
From gentle, north-facing slopes on the south side of the Wairau Valley, this is a very graceful, fragrant and supple red. Deep ruby, it is full-bodied, with vibrant, cherryish, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, fresh acidity and a smooth…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Southern Clays Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a bold style of pinot noir, weighty and deeply coloured. Hand-picked and matured for 14 months in French oak barriques, it is packed with youthful, cherryish, plummy, slightly spicy and herbal flavours, fresh and concentrated. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on Vavasour Felix’s Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Grown in the lower reaches of the Waihopai Valley, this is a mouthfilling, concentrated, very youthful red. Deep ruby, it has strong, ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, savoury notes and a fairly firm finish. Best drinking 2021+. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Built to last, this very youthful red was estate-grown at Fairhall, south-west of Blenheim. Deep ruby, it is mouthfilling, with concentrated, vibrant, ripe berry and spice flavours, nutty and earthy notes adding complexity, and obvious potential. Best drinking 2021+. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a bold, upfront style of pinot noir, matured for 10 months in French oak casks (40% new). Deeply coloured, it is fresh, mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with strong, ripe, plummy flavours and even a hint of liquorice. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Well worth cellaring, this powerful young red was grown in the Waihopai Valley and matured in French oak barriques (33% new). Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and concentrated, with strong, ripe plum, spice and slight herb flavours, showing good complexity,…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a very graceful, ‘complete’ red. Deep ruby, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is weighty, sweet-fruited and supple, with deep cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, earthy, savoury notes adding complexity and a long, finely textured finish. Already…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This classy, elegant, strongly varietal red was grown in Benmorven Vineyard, west of Blenheim. Bright ruby, it is very fresh, lively and supple, with strong, ripe, cherryish flavours, seasoned with nutty oak, good complexity, and a finely textured, poised, persistent…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 23 Master Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This powerful red was grown in the Southern Valleys, hand-harvested, fermented with indigenous yeasts and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Deeply coloured, with a fragrant, fruit-packed bouquet, it is full-bodied, rich and flowing, with concentrated…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Full of youthful charm, this is a bright pink, fragrant wine with fresh, lively strawberry and watermelon flavours, refreshing acidity and a dry finish. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Rosé Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Instantly appealing, this pinot noir-based rosé is bright, light pink, with a floral bouquet. Lively and finely balanced, with gentle strawberry and spice flavours, it has excellent vibrancy, delicacy and harmony, with a dry finish. $19
Comments Off on Grove Mill Wairau Valley Marlborough Rosé 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a ‘serious’ style of rosé, made from pinot noir grown in the upper Wairau Valley and fermented to dryness. A fresh, medium-bodied wine, it is pink/pale orange, with strong peach and strawberry flavours, hints of spices, balanced acidity…
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This vivacious, drink-young charmer was made entirely from pinot noir. Light pink, it is full-bodied, with strong flavours of watermelon, strawberry and spice, a hint of peach, a dry finish, and lovely depth and harmony. $23 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Rosé 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Drinking well now, this is a lively, medium-bodied wine, with very good depth of fresh, citrusy, peachy flavours, hints of ginger and spice, and a dry, smooth finish. $22
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Maturing gracefully, this estate-grown, Awatere Valley wine was fermented and matured in old French oak casks. Bright, light yellow/green, it is mouthfilling and dry, with good intensity of ripely herbaceous flavours, slightly toasty notes adding complexity and a finely textured,…
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Gris 2014 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Finely balanced for early enjoyment, this is a fresh, medium-bodied wine with vibrant, lemony, appley flavours, showing good depth, a gentle splash of sweetness and lively acidity. Drink now or cellar. $19 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Marlborough Riesling 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This freshly scented, finely balanced wine is medium-bodied, with citrusy, slightly sweet flavours that linger well. Showing very good intensity, vigour and harmony, it’s already enjoyable, but well worth cellaring. $20
Comments Off on Esk Valley Marlborough Riesling 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Already delicious, but well worth cellaring, this Mosel-like wine was grown in the lower Brancott Valley and stop-fermented to make a medium-sweet style. Vivacious, light (9% alc/vol) and appetisingly crisp, with citrusy, appley flavours, showing excellent freshness, delicacy and intensity,…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 9 Big John Marlborough Riesling 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Attractively scented, this is a lively, off-dry style. It has good body and depth of vibrant peach, pear and spice flavours, with a sliver of sweetness, fresh acidity and lots of drink-young appeal. $19 (A, UK )
Comments Off on Russian Jack Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This refreshing, full-bodied wine was grown in the Southern Valleys and partly (19%) barrel-fermented. Showing clear varietal character, it has vibrant pear, lemon and apple flavours, revealing good delicacy and depth, a gentle splash of sweetness and fresh, appetising acidity….
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Highly fragrant, this full-bodied, finely textured wine has generous, well-ripened pear and peach flavours and a smooth, slightly sweet, very harmonious finish. Drink now or cellar. $18
Comments Off on Villa Maria Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fragrant, mouthfilling wine is probably at its peak. Estate-grown in the Southern Valleys, it has strong, peachy, slightly spicy and gingery flavours, developing bottle-aged complexity, and a dryish, lingering finish. $23
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Still unfolding, this is a fresh, medium to full-bodied wine with strong, vibrant, peachy flavours, hints of pears and spices, and an off-dry, finely balanced, lingering finish. Best drinking mid-2019+. $19 (US)
Comments Off on Grove Mill Wairau Valley Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This Alsace-style pinot gris is full-bodied and generous. Pale straw, it is a strongly varietal wine, with very good weight and depth of peachy, slightly spicy flavours and a slightly sweet, rounded, very harmonious finish. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards The Pointer Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Delicious young, this is an organically certified wine, estate-grown in the Awatere Valley. Attractively scented, it is fresh and full-bodied, with strong, pure pear, peach and spice flavours, gentle acidity, vague sweetness, a slightly oily texture and a well-rounded finish….
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Full of youthful drive, this finely scented, full-bodied wine was mostly handled in tanks; 10% of the blend spent 4 months in old French oak casks. It has rich peach, pear and spice flavours, showing excellent delicacy and vibrancy, a…
Comments Off on Vavasour Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This fleshy, finely textured wine was estate-grown and hand-harvested in the Awatere Valley. Bright, light lemon/green, it is youthful and concentrated, with excellent weight and mouthfeel, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, a vaguely toasty note adding complexity and a…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Seddon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a powerful, fleshy, rich style of pinot gris. Hand-harvested and mostly fermented with indigenous yeasts in old French barriques, it has an invitingly fragrant, complex bouquet, leading into a weighty palate with concentrated stonefruit flavours, hints of spices…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
As a drink-young style, this has plenty to offer. Grown mostly in the company’s Falcon Vineyard, in the central Wairau Valley, and partly barrel-fermented, it has a buttery bouquet, leading into a full-bodied, vibrantly fruity wine with fresh acidity, toasty,…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Enjoyable young, this well-rounded, slightly buttery wine was grown in the Wairau Valley and fermented and matured in seasoned French and American oak barrels. Fresh, full-bodied and fruity, with peachy, citrusy flavours, it has a distinctly buttery, ‘malo’ influence, and…
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Skilfully crafted, this ‘fruit-driven’ chardonnay was grown in the Wairau Valley and fermented in a mix of tanks and French and American oak barrels. Mouthfilling, it is vibrantly fruity, with very good depth of grapefruit and peach flavours, finely balanced…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
One of the best sub-$20 chardonnays around. Barrel-aged for 10 months, it is fragrant, full-bodied and tightly structured, with excellent depth of youthful, ripe, citrusy, peachy flavours and slightly smoky notes adding complexity. Best drinking 2020+. $19 (US)
Comments Off on Grove Mill Wairau Valley Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a ‘full-on’ style of chardonnay, grown mostly in the Omaka Valley and fermented and matured in American – rather than French – oak barrels. Invitingly fragrant, it has rich stonefruit flavours, strongly seasoned with toasty oak, slightly smoky…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Omaka Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Offering terrific value, this elegant, single-vineyard wine was grown at Dillons Point and fermented with indigenous yeasts in French oak barriques. Light lemon/green, it is fresh and youthful, with a smoky bouquet , good weight and strong, grapefruit-like flavours, showing…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This classy, tightly structured young wine was estate-grown and barrel-fermented. Already delicious, it is weighty, with a citrusy fragrance, layers of grapefruit, peach and finely integrated oak flavours, and excellent delicacy, drive and length. Best 2020+. $40 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Vavasour Anna’s Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This is a lovely young wine, with good potential. Grown in the Omaka Valley and fermented in French oak barriques, it has a fragrant, complex bouquet, leading into a generous, vibrant, very harmonious palate. Fresh and full-bodied, with concentrated, ripe,…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 10 Twin Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
This stylish wine has a real sense of youthful vigour. A powerful wine from a warm season, it was hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts in French barriques (20% new), and oak-aged for 18 months. Fragrant and sturdy, it has fresh,…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Chardonnay 2015 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Crisp and lively, this medium-bodied wine is strongly varietal, with melon, lime and green capsicum flavours, fresh and aromatic. $19 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Russian Jack Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019
Posted: March 7, 2019
Grown mostly in the Wairau Valley, this medium to full-bodied wine has very good depth of passionfruit, lime and green capsicum flavours, appetisingly fresh, dry and crisp. Fine value. $16
Comments Off on Vidal Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2018 / 0 View / March 7, 2019