Posted: April 24, 2020
This vibrantly fruity red was grown at Patutahi. Full-coloured, with plummy, slightly earthy aromas, it is full-bodied, with ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity and a smooth finish. $23
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Merlot 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
From Awaroa Winery, this red was grown in the Te Whau vineyard. Based mostly on cabernet sauvignon (49%) and merlot (36%), with smaller amounts of cabernet franc, malbec and petit verdot, it is a youthful, ageworthy wine. Full-coloured, it is…
Comments Off on Waiheke Road Waiheke Island Cabernet Merlot 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This characterful, savoury West Auckland red is full-coloured and mouthfilling, with vibrant blackcurrant, plum, red berry and spice flavours, oak complexity and good tannin backbone. Best drinking 2021+. $28
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Guido in Velvet Pants Kumeu Montepulciano 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This distinctive red is a youthful blend of syrah (50%) and cabernet sauvignon (40%), with small amounts of merlot and malbec. Matured for a year in French oak barriques (100% new), it is deeply coloured, fragrant and full-bodied, with good…
Comments Off on Awaroa The Dan Waiheke Island Syrah Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot Malbec 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Estate-grown at the Batch Winery, this is a highly drinkable, youthful, supple red, fresh and full-coloured. Medium-bodied, it has vibrant, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh acidity and savoury, nutty notes adding complexity. Best drinking 2022+. $56
Comments Off on Thomas Waiheke Island Syrah 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Fresh and lively, this medium to full-bodied red was hand-harvested and matured for a year in French oak barriques. Fragrant, with hints of spices and olives, it has strong plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity, savoury notes adding complexity and…
Comments Off on Awaroa Waiheke Island Syrah 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Grown at Te Whau Vineyard, this is a fragrant, very ageworthy red. Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and well-structured, with youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh acidity, and excellent vigour and depth. Open 2022+. (From Awaroa Winery). $45
Comments Off on Waiheke Road Waiheke Island Syrah 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Still youthful, this impressively concentrated Northland red will be very long-lived. Matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (30% new), it is fragrant, with dense blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, a hint of liquorice, and a finely structured, long…
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Northland Syrah 2015 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This very ageworthy Northland red was hand-picked and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques. Deeply coloured, it is full-bodied, with a savoury, spicy fragrance and concentrated blackcurrant, spice and plum flavours, showing excellent structure and complexity. Best drinking…
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Northland Syrah 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
If you think syrah only thrives in NZ from Hawke’s Bay north, try this arresting Martinborough red. Barrel-aged for eight months, and bottled unfined and unfiltered, it is densely coloured and invitingly fragrant, with spice and liquorice aromas. Full-bodied, it…
Comments Off on Dry River Lovat Vineyard Martinborough Syrah 2016 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Ruby hued, this fragrant red has good depth of cherry, plum and spice flavours, fresh acidity and slightly savoury, nutty notes adding complexity. Drink now-2022. (From Palliser Estate). $31 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pencarrow Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Bright ruby, this attractively perfumed red was estate-grown at Te Muna and aged for 10 months in French oak barrels. Refined and supple, it is medium to full-bodied, with ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing very good depth, savoury…
Comments Off on The Elder Martinborough Pinot Noir 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This elegant, supple red is well worth cellaring. Deep ruby, it has good concentration of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, with nutty and savoury notes adding complexity, and good tannin backbone. $59 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This elegant, very youthful red is deep ruby, with a finely scented bouquet. Full of potential, it has deep cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint of tamarillo, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh acidity and a very harmonious, persistent finish….
Comments Off on Dry River Martinborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Pale pink, this Northland rosé is a blend of merlot and syrah. Medium to full-bodied, it has peach, spice and strawberry flavours, a hint of apricot and a dryish, very smooth finish. $27
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Northland Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This attractive, pale pink rosé was made from pinot noir. Very fresh and lively, it is medium-bodied, with delicate watermelon and spice flavours, a hint of apricot, appetising acidity and a smooth finish. $23
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Pinot Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Full of drink-young charm, this West Auckland rosé is a 2:1 blend of malbec and merlot. Bright pink, with fresh, floral aromas, it is lively and medium-bodied, with strawberry and spice flavours, a hint of peaches, balanced acidity and a…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Kumeu Rosé 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This vivacious bubbly was made from pinot gris and flora. Slightly sweet, with fresh, delicate pear, lemon and apple flavours, a touch of complexity, appetising acidity and a lingering finish, it’s a distinctive, slightly muscat-like wine, offering delicious summer drinking….
Comments Off on Thomas Waiheke Island Blanc de Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This outstanding sparkling rosé (called The Rose), was made entirely from pinot noir. Pink/pale orange, it has strong peach, strawberry and spice flavours, crisp and dry, yeasty notes adding complexity, and excellent harmony and length. $55
Comments Off on Palliser Estate The Rosé Methode Traditionnelle 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
From young vines at Patutahi, this vigorous, very harmonious wine is already delicious. Bright, light lemon/green, it is mouthfilling, with good intensity of fresh, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, fractional sweetness balanced by appetising acidity, and strong personality. $25
Comments Off on Matawhero Church House Single Vineyard Gisborne Chenin Blanc 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Highly perfumed, this voluptuous, youthful wine was partly (30%) barrel-fermented. Already very expressive, it is powerful and sturdy, with rich, ripe stonefruit and spice flavours, a hint of ginger, gentle sweetness and a very harmonious finish. Drink now or cellar….
Comments Off on Dry River Lovat Vineyard Martinborough Gewurztraminer 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Priced right, this is a punchy, very fresh and lively wine. Medium to full-bodied, it has strong, ripely herbaceous flavours that linger well. (From Palliser Estate). $22 (A, UK)
Comments Off on Pencarrow Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Delicious drinking from now onwards, this strongly varietal wine has generous, passionfruit-like flavours, combining excellent ripeness and vibrancy, and a mouth-wateringly crisp finish. $28 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Still unfolding, this pale, freshly scented wine is medium-bodied, with good depth of pear, lychee and spice flavours, lively acidity and an off-dry finish. $23
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Showing very good depth and drive, this Northland wine was hand-picked and made in an off-dry style. Pale straw, it is a lively, medium-bodied wine with clearcut varietal characters, fresh acidity and strong pear and spice flavours. Best drinking 2021+….
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Northland Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This Alsace-style pinot gris is full of potential. Bright, light lemon/green, it has mouthfilling body, with strong, ripe peach, pear and spice flavours and a slightly sweet, crisp, persistent finish. Best drinking 2022+. $31 (UK, US)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Hand-picked at Kerikeri, this classy young wine is full-bodied, scented and lively, with very good drive and depth of stonefruit and spice flavours, a slightly oily texture and a dryish, lingering finish. Best drinking 2021+. $24
Comments Off on Morepork Vineyard Northland Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This distinctive wine was estate-grown and hand-picked at Te Muna, tank-fermented and partly matured for eight months in seasoned French oak barrels. Scented, mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, it has strong pear, lychee and spice flavours, lees-aging notes adding complexity, balanced…
Comments Off on The Elder Martinborough Pinot Gris 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Fresh and full-bodied, this gently oaked wine has lively, peachy, citrusy flavours, slightly buttery notes, balanced acidity and lots of drink-young appeal. Best drinking 2021+. (From Palliser Estate). $25 (UK)
Comments Off on Pencarrow Martinborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Enjoyable young, this barrel-fermented wine is fragrant, with plenty of ripe, peachy, slightly toasty flavour and a well-rounded finish. $18
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Gisborne Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This softly mouthfilling wine is already drinking well. Bright, light yellow/green, it has strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, slightly spicy notes, gentle acidity and a rich, creamy-smooth finish. $23
Comments Off on Matawhero Single Vineyard Gisborne Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
For those who want to “relive the 80s”, this is a bold chardonnay style, fermented and aged for 11 months in American oak barrels (33% new). Bright, light yellow/green, with a fragrant, toasty bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with balanced acidity…
Comments Off on Coopers Creek Select Vineyards Big & Buttery Gisborne Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This powerful wine was barrel-fermented and lees-aged for over a year. Straw/pale gold, it is mouthfilling and concentrated, with fresh acidity, strong, ripe stonefruit flavours and biscuity, smoky notes adding complexity. Still youthful, it’s worth cellaring to 2022+. $46
Comments Off on Thomas Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Estate-grown in Northland and matured for a year in French oak barriques, this generous, bright, light yellow wine is drinking well now. Full-bodied and lively, it has strong, ripe stonefruit flavours, showing good complexity, fresh acidity and a lingering finish….
Comments Off on The Landing Bay of Islands Northland Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
Pale yellow, this fragrant, full-bodied wine is fresh and vibrant, with concentrated, ripe stonefruit flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, and good complexity. Best drinking 2021+. $43 (UK)
Comments Off on Palliser Estate Martinborough Chardonnay 2018 / 0 View / April 24, 2020
Posted: April 24, 2020
This powerful, lush wine was grown in the Tietjen Vineyard and fermented and matured in a 2:1 mix of American and European oak casks (30% new). Pale straw in hue, it is a bold style, fleshy and rich, with strong,…
Comments Off on Matawhero Irwin Gisborne Chardonnay 2017 / 0 View / April 24, 2020