Posted: April 8, 2020
Ruby hued, this is a very graceful, medium-bodied red, with strong, vibrant plum/spice flavours, showing excellent complexity, fine-grained tannins and a smooth, harmonious finish. Best drinking 2022+.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Certified organic, this bright pink wine was grown in the Southern Valleys. Invitingly floral, it is medium-bodied and sweet-fruited, with cherryish, slightly spicy flavours, balanced acidity and excellent depth.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard The Attorney Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This delicious young wine was grown mostly in the Awatere Valley and lees aged. Richly scented, it is fleshy and vibrant, with intensely varietal flavours of pears, peaches and lychees, showing excellent delicacy and depth.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Platinum Selection Sur Lie Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Still extremely youthful, this is a full-bodied, finely textured wine. Mouthfilling, it has strong stonefruit and spice flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak, balanced acidity and a finely textured, lingering finish. Best drinking 2022+.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Reserve Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This classy, age-worthy wine was estate-grown in the Awatere Valley. It has a scented, citrusy bouquet, leading into a mouthfilling, vibrantly fruity wine with peachy, citrusy, slightly spicy and biscuity flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak and a long, very…
Comments Off on Villa Maria Single Vineyard Taylors Pass Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Certified organic, this lees-aged wine is freshly aromatic, weighty, crisp and dry, with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, showing excellent vigour and intensity, good complexity and a finely balanced, long finish.
Comments Off on Villa Maria Platinum Seletion Organic Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Priced right, this easy-drinking regional blend is ruby hued, fresh and smooth. Enjoyable young, it is fruity, slightly spicy and nutty, with a touch of complexity and ripe, supple tannins. $19
Comments Off on Yealands Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Estate-grown, this moderately youthful red is ruby hued, mouthfilling and sweet-fruited, with fresh cherry, spice and herb flavours, showing good depth, and a smooth finish. Drink 2020. $23
Comments Off on Yealands Reserve Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, supple, ruby hued red, attractively scented, with very good depth of cherry, plum and spice flavours, lively acidity and considerable complexity. Priced right. $22 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Enjoyable young, this light ruby red was grown principally in the Eyrie Vineyard, in the lower Waihopai Valley, and matured for eight months in seasoned French oak casks. Fresh and smooth, it is sweet-fruited, with good depth of cherry, plum…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Drinking well now, but still unfolding, this ruby hued red is mouthfilling, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing very good depth and complexity, finely balanced tannins and a lingering finish. $28
Comments Off on Wither Hills Single Vineyard Taylor River Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
From a relatively warm site at the base of the hills on the south side of the Wairau Valley, this age-worthy red was matured in French oak barriques (22% new). Bright ruby, it has strong, ripe cherry, plum and spice…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 22 Barn Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This fragrant red was estate-grown at Fairhall and matured in French oak barriques (24% new). Bright ruby, it is youthful, with very good depth of ripe, berryish, spicy flavours, savoury notes adding complexity and fine, supple tannins. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 14 Doctor’s Creek Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This powerful pinot noir was grown in the Eyrie Vineyard, in the lower Waihopai Valley, and barrique-aged for 11 months. Deeply coloured, it is fleshy, with ripe plum/spice flavours, fresh and strong. An age-worthy red, it should be at its…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Offering good value, this fragrant red was hand-picked from mature vines, fermented with indigenous yeasts and barrel-aged (20% new). Ruby hued, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with ripe fruit flavours, good complexity and a smooth, harmonious finish. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on Allan Scott [Black Label] Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Softly seductive, this ruby-hued red was grown in Benmorven Vineyard, west of Blenheim. Refined and supple, it has ripe cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, good complexity and a well-rounded finish. Already delicious, it should be at its best 2021+….
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 23 Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This highly attractive, single-vineyard red was grown in the Southern Valleys and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Ruby hued, it is fragrant, sweet-fruited and savoury, with youthful cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing excellent…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This deep ruby, highly fragrant and youthful red has a powerful presence. The bouquet is savoury and complex; the palate sturdy, with concentrated, ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, integrated oak, fresh acidity and a long finish. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on Wither Hills The Honourable Marlborough Pinot Noir 2016 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Highly fragrant, deeply coloured red, hand-picked in the Southern Valleys and matured for 16 months in French oak barriques (30% new). Full-bodied and sweet-fruited, with deep cherry, plum and spice flavours, complex, savoury and long. Very ageworthy, but already delicious….
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Bright, light pink, this dry rosé was made principally from pinot gris, blended with pinot noir. Drinking well from the start, it is fresh and vibrantly fruity, with peachy, strawberryish, slightly spicy flavours, a touch of tannin and very good…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Rosé Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
“Made seriously for serious fun”, this very pale pink wine is a blend of pinot gris and malbec, grown in the central Wairau Valley. Vibrantly fruity, it is medium-bodied, with fresh, peachy, slightly spicy flavours, lively acidity and a dry…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Pale pink, Wairau Valley wine with good depth of fresh strawberryish, slightly peachy and spicy flavours, balanced acidity and a dry, smooth finish. $20 (A)
Comments Off on Hunter’s Rosé Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Very pale pink, this is a dry rosé, blended from pinot gris (principally) and malbec, grown in the Wairau Valley. Fresh and smooth, it is medium-bodied, with peachy, strawberryish flavours, a hint of apricot and very good depth. $20
Comments Off on Delta Estate Marlborough Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Opening out well, this bright, light pink wine offers very easy drinking. Fresh and lively, it has good depth of peach, strawberry and spice flavours, balanced acidity and a gently sweet, smooth finish. $18 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Allan Scott Marlborough Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Offering good drinking through 2020, this estate-grown wine is pink/pale red, dryish and smooth, with strong, strawberryish, slightly spicy flavours, a touch of tannin, fresh acidity and a slightly creamy finish. $25
Comments Off on Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Drinking well now, this dry rosé was produced entirely from pinot noir. Bright pink, it is vibrantly fruity, with strawberryish, slightly peachy flavours, a hint of apricot, and a fresh, very finely balanced finish. A good buy. (US) $18
Comments Off on Wither Hills Marlborough Rosé 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This classy sparkling is a blend of pinot noir, chardonnay and pinot meunier, bottle-fermented and aged for over three years on its yeast lees. A distinctive, slightly broader style than most Champagnes, it has a fragrant, complex bouquet, leading into…
Comments Off on Hunter’s Miru Miru Reserve Marlborough Sparkling 2015 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Richly fragrant, honeyed bouquet. Already a lovely mouthful, with lush, sweet stonefruit flavours, enriched but not dominated by botrytis, an oily texture, and excellent depth and harmony. (375ml) $40
Comments Off on Yealands Estate Winemaker’s Reserve Marlborough Noble Awatere Valley Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This easy-drinking wine was partly fermented in old oak barrels. Light lemon/green, it is medium-bodied, with good depth of peachy, slightly spicy and gingery flavours, fresh and smooth. $20 (A)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Origin Marlborough Gruner Veltliner 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Worth cellaring, this estate-grown wine was blended from three aromatic varieties – pinot gris, riesling and gewürztraminer. It has a scented, gently spicy bouquet, leading into a full-bodied, finely balanced wine with an array of fresh fruit flavours – citrus…
Comments Off on Yealands Estate Single Vineyard P.G.R. Awatere Valley Pinot Gris Gewurztraminer Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Perfumed, rich wine, estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley. Full-bodied and intensely varietal, with concentrated, ripe, peachy, spicy flavours, gentle sweetness, a slightly oily texture and a fresh, long finish. Fine value. $22
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Still very youthful, this single-vineyard wine is pale, with a scented, slightly appley bouquet. Medium-bodied, it is finely balanced, with citrusy, appley flavours, showing very good depth, slight sweetness and firm acid spine. Best drinking 2021+. $19 (UK)
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Light and lively, this wine was grown in the lower Brancott Valley and stop-fermented to make a medium-sweet style. Pale, it has strong, citrusy, peachy, slightly limey flavours and a sweetish, appetisingly crisp, very harmonious finish. Best drinking 2021+. $27…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 9 Big John Marlborough Riesling 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Weighty, medium-sweet style, estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley. Slightly honeyed bouquet, with generous, ripe, stonefruit flavours and a distinct splash of sweetness balanced by appetising acidity. Drink now or cellar. $22 (A)
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Riesling 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Scented, medium-bodied wine, with strong, fresh lemon/lime flavours, dryish, poised and lingering. Grown at Rapaura, it’s still very youthful and well worth cellaring to 2022+. $20 (UK)
Comments Off on Hunter’s Marlborough Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This highly approachable wine has a scented, gently honeyed bouquet, with peachy, slightly spicy and honeyed flavours, fresh and deep, and a well-rounded finish. A youthful, very harmonious style, it’s a drink-now or cellaring proposition. $30
Comments Off on Yealands Estate Single Vineyard Late Pick Marlborough Awatere Valley Riesling 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Scented, rich, medium style, hand-picked at Fairhall, 50% barrel-fermented and fully barrel-aged for four months. Weighty, with generous, ripe, peachy, citrusy flavours, gentle sweetness, balanced acidity, and excellent delicacy and length. Well worth cellaring, but already delicious. $31 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Riesling 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Attractively scented, this medium-bodied wine has vibrant pear, peach and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a finely balanced, off-dry finish. Very easy drinking. $20
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Finely balanced for current drinking, this estate-grown wine is attractively scented and full-bodied, with strong, vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, showing clearcut varietal characteristics, and a dryish finish. $19
Comments Off on Yealands Reserve Marlborough Awatere Valley Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Freshly scented and full-bodied, this youthful wine is strongly varietal, with very good depth of pear, lychee and spice flavours, gentle sweetness, balanced acidity and a very harmonious finish. Already delicious, it should be at its best 2021+. $18 (A)
Comments Off on Wither Hills Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This single-vineyard, Awatere Valley wine is mouthfilling, with crisp, vibrant, pear-like flavours, showing good delicacy, gentle spicy notes, youthful drive and a crisp, dryish finish. Best drinking mid-2020+. $26
Comments Off on Wither Hills Cellar Selection Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Certified organic, this estate-grown, Awatere Valley wine is full-bodied and youthful, with strong pear and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a dryish, persistent finish. Open mid-2020+. $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Showing very good vigour and depth, this wine was grown in the Southern Valleys and partly barrel-fermented. Invitingly scented, it is medium-bodied, with vibrant, ripe, stonefruit flavours, a touch of complexity, lively acidity and a dryish finish. Best drinking mid-2020+….
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Deliciously rich, Alsace style of pinot gris, hand-picked, mostly fermented with indigenous yeasts in old French oak barriques, and lees-aged for a year. Attractively scented, weighty wine, with concentrated peach, pear and spice flavours, excellent complexity and an off-dry, very…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, full-bodied, slightly creamy-textured wine, with good depth of peachy, slightly toasty flavours and a smooth finish. Enjoyable young. $18
Comments Off on Wither Hills Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Buoyantly fruity, this partly barrel-fermented wine was grown predominantly in the Falcon Vineyard, in the central Wairau Valley, and lees-aged for 10 months. Medium-bodied, it has fresh, citrusy, peachy fruit flavours to the fore, a hint of biscuity oak, moderate…
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
This is a rare wine – only 1050 bottles were produced. Fresh and dry, it is medium to full-bodied, with citrusy, slightly peachy and leesy flavours, finely balanced acidity, a distinct touch of complexity, and very good texture, harmony and…
Comments Off on Wither Hills Cellar Selection Unoaked Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Fresh, full-bodied and dry, with complexity from fermentation and maturation for 10 months in French oak puncheons. Citrusy, peachy, gently biscuity flavours, with very good vigour and a lingering finish. Well worth cellaring. $25 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Hunter’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Full of youthful vigour, this wine was grown in the lower Wairau Valley and fermented in an even split of tanks and barrels. Fresh and full-bodied, it has grapefruit and peach flavours, gently seasoned with biscuity oak, balanced acidity, a…
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020
Posted: April 8, 2020
Unfolding well, this rich, smooth wine was hand-picked in the Wairau Valley and fermented and aged for eight months in French oak puncheons. Mouthfilling, it has strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, a hint of butterscotch and…
Comments Off on Allan Scott [Black Label] Marlborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 8, 2020