Posted: November 30, 2021
Drinking well now, this single-vineyard red was grown at Ward, in the Awatere Valley, and briefly oak-aged. Ruby hued, with a hint of development, it is medium-bodied, with ripe, berryish, slightly spicy flavours, gentle acidity and a smooth finish. $18…
Comments Off on Snapper Rock Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Freshly scented, this lively, medium-bodied wine has good depth of vibrant pear, lychee and spice flavours, a hint of ginger, balanced acidity and a dry finish. $19 (A)
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Gris 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Barrel-aged for at least six months, this is a bright ruby, mouthfilling red, with good depth of youthful cherry, plum and spice flavours, showing some savoury complexity. Offering good value, it should be at its best 2022+. $19 (A)
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Falcon Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Ready to roll, this gentle, sweet-fruited wine was grown in the Awatere Valley and matured for 10 months in French oak barriques. Lightish in colour, it is fragrant, savoury and supple, with cherry, plum, spice and nut flavours, showing very…
Comments Off on Ward Valley Mt Victoria Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Grown in the lower Wairau Valley, this single-vineyard wine is full-bodied, with fresh, strong tropical fruit flavours to the fore, a herbaceous undercurrent and a crisp, lively finish. $27 (UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 21 Bell Block Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
From Peregrine, this very easy-drinking wine was hand-picked at Pisa and Gibbston. Pink-hued, it is invitingly aromatic, with strong, lively strawberry and spice flavours, and a crisp, off-dry finish. Delicious young. $20
Comments Off on Saddleback Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This youthful, supple Waipara Valley, North Canterbury red is good value. Matured in French oak barrels for 18 months, it is fragrant and full-bodied, with excellent depth of ripe cherry, plum and spice flavours, nutty, savoury notes adding complexity and…
Comments Off on Main Divide Waipara Valley Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Drinking well in its youth, this wine was grown mostly in the central Wairau Valley and barrel-fermented with indigenous yeasts. Light yellow/green, it is full-bodied, with generous, ripe stonefruit flavours, oak complexity, balanced acidity and good harmony. $23 (UK)
Comments Off on Lake Chalice The Raptor Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Offering great value, this single-vineyard red was grown in the Southern Valleys and half of the blend was matured for 10 months in French oak barriques. Bright ruby, it is mouthfilling and vibrantly fruity, with very youthful, ripe cherry, plum…
Comments Off on Delta Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This deeply coloured, mouthfilling red was matured for nine months in seasoned French oak barrels. Vibrantly fruity, it has good density of ripe, plummy, spicy flavours, fresh, strong and smooth. Best drinking 2022+. $20
Comments Off on Delta Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Priced sharply, this is a single-vineyard red from Alexandra, matured in tanks (60%) and barrels (40%). Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and vibrant, with strong, youthful, plummy, spicy flavours, showing considerable complexity, and supple tannins. Best drinking 2022+. (From Snapper…
Comments Off on Cherry Block Central Otago Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Grown in the Gimblett Gravels, this single-vineyard Hawke’s Bay red is deeply coloured and fleshy, with rich blackcurrant, plum, spice and nut flavours, ripe and smooth, and good complexity. Still youthful, it should be at its best 2022+. $38 (UK)
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Hawke’s Bay Merlot 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Still unfolding, this Gimblett Gravels red was blended from cabernet sauvignon (55%), merlot (41%) and malbec (4%). Deeply coloured, with a fresh, fragrant, slightly herbal bouquet, it is full-bodied, with good density of ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, and…
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 17 Plateau Hawke’s Bay Cabernet Merlot 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Grown in the lower reaches of the Waihopai Valley, this is an attractively perfumed wine, ruby hued, savoury and supple. Showing good complexity, it is very harmonious, with silky tannins and lots of drink-young appeal. $38
Comments Off on Saint Clair Pioneer Block 15 Strip Block Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This highly aromatic wine was grown at Dillons Point, in the lower Wairau Valley. Fermented in tanks and seasoned barrels, it is medium-bodied and punchy, with good intensity of tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, a subtle seasoning of oak adding…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This savoury red was grown in the Southern Valleys. Deeply coloured, it is mouthfilling and fruit-packed, with strong berry and spice flavours, showing good complexity, fine-grained tannins and obvious potential. Open 2022+. $35
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Already drinking well, this wine was grown mostly in the Ure Valley and fermented and matured in French oak barriques. Fresh and elegant, it has excellent weight and vibrancy, with strong, peachy, citrusy flavours, gentle biscuity and toasty notes adding…
Comments Off on Delta Hatters Hill Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This Central Otago pinot noir was fully whole-bunch fermented. A distinctive, generous red, it is full-coloured and fragrant, with concentrated plum and spice flavours, showing impressive complexity, and a firmly structured, long, spicy finish. $40
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay Vergence Red by Mk 1 Central Otago Pinot Noir 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This highly seductive young red was grown at three sites in the Gimblett Gravels, Hawke’s Bay, and matured in an even split of new French oak barriques and a large French oak oval. Dark and purple-flushed, it is beautifully fragrant,…
Comments Off on Trinity Hill L’Eritage Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2018 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
Delicious now, this highly fragrant red was hand-harvested, barrel-aged, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Ruby hued, with some development showing, it is sweet-fruited, savoury, nutty and silky-textured, with excellent complexity and a long finish. Drink now-2022. $50
Comments Off on Jackson Estate Somerset Single Vineyard Waihopai Valley Marlborough Pinot Noir 2014 / 0 View / November 30, 2021
Posted: November 30, 2021
This racy, vibrant, youthful wine was estate-grown in the Awatere Valley, partly (10%) barrel-fermented and lees-aged for six months. Weighty and dry, it is freshly aromatic, with strong, ripely herbaceous flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, good acid spine…
Comments Off on Clos Marguerite Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2019 / 0 View / November 30, 2021