Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, lively, single-vineyard Northland red, matured in old French barriques. Full-coloured, medium-bodied wine, with plum, spice, herb and olive flavours, showing some savoury complexity. $24
Comments Off on Byrne Puketotara Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Easy-drinking Waiheke Island red, full-coloured, with a peppery, slightly earthy bouquet. Generous plum, spice and dried herb flavours, gently seasoned with toasty oak, and a smooth finish. $38
Comments Off on Obsidian Estate Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Full-coloured, medium weight Waiheke Island red with fresh, plummy, spicy flavours, hints of olives and herbs, a gentle seasoning of toasty oak, fine-grained tannins and a smooth finish. $38
Comments Off on Awaroa Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Generous, weighty Northland red with full, bright colour and excellent richnesss through the palate. Strong, ripe, red berry and spice flavours, seasoned with sweet oak. One judge scored it five stars. $38
Comments Off on The Landing Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing gracefully, this Northland red is deeply coloured, with good weight, concentrated, spicy flavours, hints of olives and licorice, toasty, savoury notes adding complexity and a smooth, lengthy finish. $30
Comments Off on Mahinepua Bay Syrah 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Dark, weighty, single-vineyard red, matured in French and American oak casks (14% new). Fragrant and full-bodied, with rich, strongly varietal blackberry, plum and spice flavours, good complexity and a lingering finish. One judge scored it five stars. $38 (A, UK,…
Comments Off on Soho Valentina Waiheke Island Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Maturing well, this coastal Northland red was matured in French oak casks (33% new). The colour is deep and youthful; the palate dense and smooth-flowing, with concentrated plum, spice and slight licorice flavours, and a finely structured finish. Best drinking…
Comments Off on The Landing Syrah 2013 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fragrant, peppery, single-vineyard Northland red, matured in French oak casks (50% new). Concentrated blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, hints of raisins and smoky oak, and impressive ripeness and depth. $36
Comments Off on Byrne Te Puna Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Concentrated, finely textured Waiheke Island red, still very youthful. Rich black berry, spice, licorice and toasty oak flavours, with fine-grained tannins and excellent balance and length. Well worth cellaring. One judge scored it five stars. $65
Comments Off on Awaroa Melba Peach Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Strongly varietal, single-vineyard Northland red, matured in French oak barriques (one-third new). Full-coloured, perfumed, weighty and savoury, with excellent depth of blackcurrant, plum, licorice and spice flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, and ripe, supple tannins. Fine value. $32
Comments Off on Byrne Waingaro Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This deeply coloured, generous red was hand-harvested from 25 year-old vines in Northland and oak-aged for a year. It has ripe, plummy, spicy, slightly gamey flavours, seasoned with sweet oak, in a soft, very drinkable style. $28
Comments Off on Marsden Estate Pinotage 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
From the Far North, this rich, ripe, slightly raisiny red has deep, moderately mature colour. Weighty and sweet-fruited, gamey and savoury, it’s drinking well now. $42
Comments Off on Karikari Estate Pinotage 2013 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fleshy, full-coloured Northland red, with a hint of sweet oak and ripe, berryish, slightly gamey flavours, generous and smooth. $28
Comments Off on Mahinepua Bay Chambourcin 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This deeply coloured red was matured in French and American oak casks. Medium-bodied, it has generous red berry, plum and spice flavours, with finely integrated oak adding savoury, complex notes, and a smooth finish. $38
Comments Off on Obsidian Estate Waiheke Island Montepulciano 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fragrant, lively, Waiheke Island blend of merlot (44%), malbec (27%), cabernet franc (20%) and cabernet sauvignon (9%), French and American oak-aged. Moderately rich, berryish, spicy flavours, with fresh acidity and gentle tannins. $38 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Soho Revolver 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Full-coloured, Waiheke Island red with generous blackcurrant, plum, herb, spice and nut flavours. Slighty leafy, but shows very good depth and complexity. $65
Comments Off on Awaroa The Dan Cabernet/Syrah /Malbec 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Ageworthy, structured Waiheke Island blend of cabernet sauvignon (60%), merlot (25%) and malbec (15%). Full-coloured, with concentrated blackcurrant, spice and nutty oak flavours, braced by firm, ripe tannins. Best drinking 2019+. $65
Comments Off on Awaroa Requiem Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Deeply coloured, Waiheke Island blend of merlot (70%) and malbec (30%), seasoned with toasty oak. Fleshy, concentrated, spicy and savoury, with good tannin backbone. $38
Comments Off on Awaroa Merlot Malbec 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Dark, youthful Waiheke Island blend, with strong, vibrant blackcurrant, plum, herb and spice flavours. Powerful, with good body, toasty oak adding complexity and fine-grained tannins. $56
Comments Off on Awaroa Cabernet Merlot Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Generous, ripe, savoury red with an array of cherry, plum, spice and toast flavours, showing very good depth. $60 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Martinborough Vineyard Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Deep ruby, with gentle tannins, spicy and herbal notes, and generous, ripe, slightly earthy and nutty flavours. $39
Comments Off on Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Bright ruby, youthful red, sweet-fruited and supple, with a lovely balance of fruit and oak, and a savoury, spicy complexity. Fine value. $27 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Mouthfilling, savoury, deep ruby red with strong plum/spice flavours, good complexity, a hint of herbs and a fairly firm finish. “Needs time”, noted one judge. $45 (A)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga John Martin Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fragrant, ruby hued, savoury red. Generous, cherryish, slightly spicy flavours, showing good complexity, with hints of dried herbs and toast, and silky tannins giving gentleness to the palate. $54 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Ruby hued, very fresh and lively, with generous, youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours. Supple, with finely integrated oak. $30 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Still youthful, this fresh, vibrantly fruity red is from the northern Wairarapa. Full ruby, it is savoury, with red berry, spice, dried herb and toast flavours, showing good balance and complexity. $39 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Deep ruby, concentrated, very youthful red, with plummy, spicy flavours, hints of herbs and toast, and obvious potential. Rich, structured wine, with a floral, inviting bouquet. Best drinking 2019+. $30 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga Runholder Martinborough Pinot Noir 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
This second-tier label of Te Hera Estate romped straight to a five-star rating. Deep ruby, it is rich and supple, with concentrated, ripe-fruit flavours, hints of cherries, dried herbs and mushrooms, excellent weight and harmony, and a welcoming fragrance. ‘Sexy’…
Comments Off on Kiritea Martinborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Pink, freshly scented Northland wine, syrah-based. Mouthfilling, with strawberry and spice flavours, smooth, dryish and lively. $22
Comments Off on Byrne Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, lively, pinot noir-based rosé, with bright pink/pale red colour. Red berry, strawberry and spice flavours, showing good weight, balance and length. $26
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Lively, pale pink Northland rosé, from syrah grown on Moturoa Island, in the Bay of Islands. Floral, with fresh, vibrant watermelon and spice flavours, very good depth and a slightly sweet, finely balanced finish. $25
Comments Off on Boulder Bay Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Bright pink, lively blend of malbec (80%) and merlot (20%). Fresh watermelon, strawberry and spice flavours, showing excellent vibrancy, delicacy and length. $20
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Huapai Rosé 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Lively, citrusy wine, made from Gisborne chardonnay, freeze-concentrated. Finely balanced, with very good depth of lemony flavours, fresh and sweet. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Coopers Gold (375ml) 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Amber hued, with a fragrant, richly botrytised bouquet of apricots, figs and honey. Luscious, notably concentrated sweet wine with good acid spine, lovely harmony and powerful personality. ‘Yum!’, enthused one judge. $28
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Noble Martinborough Riesling (375ml) 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, medium-bodied wine, estate-grown in Northland, with lively acidity woven through strong, citrusy, peachy flavours, balanced for easy drinking. $20
Comments Off on Shipwreck Bay Flora 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Pale, youthful wine with good weight and depth of vibrant, citrusy, slightly appley flavours. Dryish, with crisp but not high acidity, it’s well worth cellaring. $26
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Church House Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Gently perfumed, with a vague hint of sweetness and vibrant, citrusy, spicy flavours, showing good delicacy, balance and depth. $23
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Gewurztraminer 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Mouthfilling, fleshy and dry, with delicate aromas and fresh, ripe, slightly peachy and spicy flavours, showing good depth. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Allison Gisborne Marsanne 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Tight, youthful, medium-dry wine, with lively, ripe lemon/lime flavours showing excellent depth. Already quite expressive, it’s also well worth cellaring. $23 (UK)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Riesling 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Delicately scented, with good weight, generous, citrusy, slightly peachy and spicy flavours, fresh acidity and a lingering finish. Strongly varietal, highly drinkable wine, enjoyed by all judges. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV The Little Rascal Gisborne Arneis 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fragrant and fleshy, with generous stonefruit flavours, showing excellent varietal character and harmony. Weighty, ripe style, with a distinctly creamy texture. (Partly barrel-fermented). $25 (A)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga Martinborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Perfumed, mouthfilling wine with generous, ripe, peachy flavours and a rich, smooth finish. (Partly barrel-fermented). $22 (A)
Comments Off on Martinborough Vineyard Te Tera Martinborough Pinot Gris 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Weighty Wairarapa wine with ripe, tropical fruit flavours, a hint of nuts and a smooth finish. Fully dry style, with a gentle seasoning of oak. (40% barrel-fermented). $25 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Gladstone Vineyard Gladstone Sauvignon Blanc 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Fresh, full-bodied wine with very good depth of ripe, tropical fruit flavours and a well-rounded finish. (Partly barrel-fermented). $25 (A)
Comments Off on Te Kairanga Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Scented, lively, crisp and dry, with fresh acidity and ripely herbaceous flavours showing very good balance and length. (Partly barrel-fermented). $25 (A)
Comments Off on Martinborough Vineyard Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Priced sharply, this seductive, ripely flavoured wine is peachy, with gentle acidity and a scented bouquet. $15
Comments Off on Villa Maria Private Bin Gisborne Viognier 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Pale, creamy wine, medium-bodied, with lychee, pear and apple flavours, showing a touch of complexity, and a finely-balanced finish. $23
Comments Off on Coopers Creek SV Cook County Gisborne Viognier 2016 / 0 View / April 20, 2017
Posted: April 20, 2017
Gently perfumed, this barrel-fermented Northland wine has melon, lemon, butterscotch and nut flavours, soft and generous. One judge scored it five stars. $32
Comments Off on Byrne Waingaro Viognier 2015 / 0 View / April 20, 2017