Posted: April 14, 2022
This distinctive red is made from chambourin, one of the more highly rated French hybrids, well known in Muscadet. Full-coloured, it is freshly aromatic, with strong, vibrant blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, lively acidity, considerable complexity and supple tannins. Best…
Comments Off on Waiparore Tutukaka Coast Single Vineyard Scarlett Chambourcin 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Designed for cellaring, this densely coloured, purple-flushed red was matured for two years in French and American oak casks. Still fresh and lively, it is bold, with concentrated blackcurrant, red berry, plum and spice flavours, balanced acidity and buried tannins….
Comments Off on Karikari Estate Peninsula Northland Tannat NV / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
A drink now or cellaring proposition, this Auckland red still has full, bright, moderately youthful colour. Fragrant and weighty, it has ripe blackcurrant, plum and spice flavours, showing good concentration. $48
Comments Off on Takatu Matakana Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec 2014 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
From vines over 30 years old, this youthful North Canterbury red is a blend of merlot (mostly), cabernet sauvignon, malbec and cabernet franc, matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (25% new). Deeply coloured, it is fragrant, rich and…
Comments Off on Pegasus Bay Merlot Cabernet 2019 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Unfolding very gracefully, this mature Auckland red has deep, fairly developed colour. Fragrant and full-bodied, it is deliciously savoury, with concentrated, ripe, nutty flavours, revealing excellent complexity. $88
Comments Off on Takatu Matakana Merlot Cabernet Franc Malbec 2010 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Well worth cellaring, this youthful, bright ruby red is fragrant and full-bodied, with deep cherry and spice flavours, showing good complexity, and a well-structured, harmonious finish. $35
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Looking for a great value pinot noir? Matured for 18 months in French oak barrels, this deep ruby, very harmonious red is fragrant, rich and supple, with generous cherry, plum and spice flavours, finely balanced oak and gentle tannins. Already…
Comments Off on Main Divide North Canterbury Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Offering good value, this concentrated red was estate-grown, matured for 14 months in barriques and large format oak, and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it is full-bodied, with very youthful, dense flavours, fresh acidity, oak complexity and a firm…
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Still very youthful, this single-vineyard red was hand-picked in the Omaka Valley, matured in French oak barrels (33% new), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Deep ruby, it is invitingly scented, with fresh, concentrated cherry, plum and spice flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on te Pa The Reserve Collection Taylor River Marlborough Pinot Noir 2019 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This Northland rosé was blended from syrah and merlot. Bright, light pink, it is medium-bodied, with fresh peach, strawberry and spice flavours, showing very good depth, a touch of tannin and a dryish finish. $26
Comments Off on Waiparore Tutukaka Coast Single Vineyard Rosé 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Made from cabernet franc, this light pink, full-bodied wine is not highly scented, but offers very good depth of peach, strawberry, apricot and spice flavours, with a touch of tannin and a dryish finish. $25
Comments Off on Dancing Petrel Paewhenua Island Northland Rosé 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Looking good for 2022, this bright pink, floral wine is a blend of pinot noir (95%) and riesling (5%), grown at Brightwater, on the Waimea Plains. Fresh and vibrantly fruity, it has strong, berryish, plummy flavours, hints of watermelon and…
Comments Off on Moutere Hills Nelson Pinot Rosé 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Delicious young, this bright, light pink wine is fresh and full-bodied, with very good intensity of vibrant strawberry and peach flavours, a hint of apricot, and a finely balanced, dry finish. $20
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Full of drink-young charm, this rosé was partly handled in tanks, but 60% was fermented with indigenous yeasts in neutral French oak barrels. Pale pink, it is fresh, full-bodied and vibrantly fruity, with strong strawberry and peach flavours, a hint…
Comments Off on Terra Sancta Central Otago Bannockburn Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Showing strong personality, this Matakana (north of Auckland) rosé is probably at its peak. Pink hued, it is fragrant, fleshy and bursting with peachy, strawberryish, spicy flavours, smooth, dry and lasting. $28
Comments Off on Takatu Rosé 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This delightful rosé was hand-picked at Gibbston. Bright pink, it is invitingly scented, with mouthfilling body, gentle strawberry, watermelon and spice flavours, a hint of apricot, and lovely delicacy and vibrancy. Dry, with gentle acidity, it’s benchmark stuff. $34
Comments Off on Coal Pit Central Otago Pinot Noir Rosé 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Made from dehydrated grapes, this Northland ‘straw wine’ is golden and highly concentrated. It harbours only 6% alcohol by volume, but that’s not obvious, with its lush peach, apricot and honey flavours, lovely balance of sweetness and acidity, and rich,…
Comments Off on Waiparore Matthias Tutukaka Coast Strohwein (375ml) Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
A wine with a real ‘Wow!’ factor, this pink/orange dessert wine was hand-picked and cool-fermented on its skins. Highly distinctive, it offers a flood of peach, strawberry and spice flavours, deliciously sweet and complex. Well worth discovering. $35
Comments Off on Dancing Petrel Paewhenua Island (375ml) Northland Late Harvest Viognier 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Finely scented, this very age-worthy wine is medium-bodied, with strong lemon, lime and peach flavours, a sliver of sweetness and a crisp, lengthy finish. $20
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Riesling 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Instantly appealing, this invitingly perfumed, smooth wine was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley. Fresh and medium-bodied, it is strongly varietal, with lively, delicate, peachy, spicy flavours and an off-dry, very harmonious finish. $23
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Gewurztraminer 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This tightly structured, youthful wine was hand-picked and fermented with indigenous yeasts. Fresh and full-bodied, it has very good depth of citrusy, peachy, appley flavours, balanced acidity, and a dry, lingering finish. Best drinking 2023+. $27
Comments Off on Dancing Petrel Paewhenua Island Northland Arneis 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Offering very easy drinking, this estate-grown wine is fresh, medium-bodied and smooth, with good depth of peach, pear and spice flavours, slight sweetness and appetising acidity. (From Anchorage). $16 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Torrent Bay Nelson Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Fresh and lively, this youthful wine was made with some use of barrel fermentation. Medium to full-bodied, it has good depth of ripe, peachy, spicy, slightly toasty flavours, balanced acidity and an off-dry finish. Best drinking 2023+. $20
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Enjoyable young, this estate-grown wine was tank-fermented and briefly lees-aged. Medium to full-bodied, it has generous, ripe, peachy, vaguely honeyed flavours, a gentle splash of sweetness and a smooth finish. $18 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Anchorage Family Estate Nelson Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Showing a lot more personality than most ‘light’ pinot gris, this single-vineyard wine was grown at Tutukaka, in Northland, and stop-fermented at 8% alc/vol. A distinctive, youthful wine, it is vigorous, with strong, ripe pear and peach flavours, gentle sweetness…
Comments Off on Waiparore Tutukaka Coast Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This attractively scented, finely balanced wine was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley and partly fermented in concrete eggs. Enjoyable young, it is a fresh, medium-bodied style, with very good depth of peach, pear and lychee flavours, a touch of…
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Pinot Gris 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Probably at its peak, this single-vineyard wine was hand-harvested and matured in tanks and barrels. Bright lemon/green, it is full-bodied and dry, with strong peach and pear flavours, woven with fresh acidity, and bottle-aged complexity. $38
Comments Off on Takatu Matakana Pinot Gris 2017 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Maturing superbly, this Matakana (north of Auckland) wine is a lovely mouthful. Light gold, it is mouthfilling, with rich stone-fruit flavours, slightly toasty, bottle-aged notes adding complexity, finely balanced acidity and a smooth, dry, persistent finish. $35
Comments Off on Takatu Matakana Pinot Gris 2015 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This sturdy, youthful wine was estate-grown, hand-picked, and matured for 11 months in French oak casks (15% new). Mouthfilling, it has rich, peachy, toasty flavours, threaded with fresh acidity, and a tightly structured finish. Best drinking 2023+. $35
Comments Off on Moutere Hills Nelson Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Estate-grown in the Far North, this powerful, distinctive wine was fermented and matured for 18 months in French, American and Hungarian oak barrels. Bright, light yellow/green, it is weighty and rounded, with generous stone-fruit and toasty oak flavours, in an…
Comments Off on Karikari Estate Chardonnay 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This classy, single-vineyard wine was hand-picked in the Wairau Valley, barrel-fermented (50% new oak), and bottled unfined and unfiltered. Bright yellow/green, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with highly concentrated, ripe stone-fruit flavours, seasoned with biscuity…
Comments Off on te Pa The Reserve Collection St Leonard’s Marlborough Chardonnay 2019 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
There’s no mistaking the variety! This wine has green capsicum and herb aromas and flavours, fresh, strong and direct, a slightly salty note and good vigour and length. Priced sharply. (From Anchorage). $16 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Torrent Bay Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Showing good personality, this Wairau Valley is certified organic. Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied, with fresh, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, crisp acidity and very good depth. Enjoyable young. $20
Comments Off on Walnut Block Collectables Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Showing strong personality, this full-bodied wine was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley and handled without sulphur, using green tea as a natural antioxidant. Very pale gold, it is not highly aromatic, but fleshy, with strong, ripe, non-herbaceous flavours and…
Comments Off on Loveblock Tee Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Full of youthful vigour, this estate-grown, medium-bodied wine is aromatic, with tropical fruit and herbaceous flavours, fresh, crisp and punchy. Good value. $18 (A, UK, US)
Comments Off on Anchorage Family Estate Nelson Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Highly aromatic, this mouthfilling, lively wine has punchy, tropical fruit flavours to the fore, a herbaceous undercurrent, appetising acidity, and excellent vigour, vibrancy and depth. $20
Comments Off on te Pa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Certified organic, this wine was estate-grown in the lower Awatere Valley, and partly fermented in clay amphorae, oak barrels and concrete eggs. A distinctive wine, it is mouthfilling, with very good intensity of vigorous, ripely herbaceous flavours, woven with fresh…
Comments Off on Loveblock Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Certified organic, this youthful Wairau Valley wine was hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts and partly barrel-fermented. Weighty, sweet-fruited and dry, it has concentrated, ripe, tropical fruit flavours, balanced acidity, and excellent vigour, complexity and depth. Best drinking mid-2022+. $25
Comments Off on Walnut Block Nutcracker Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
Estate-grown and hand-harvested on the Wairau Bar, this classy young wine offers great value. Weighty and dry, it has deep, tropical fruit flavours, showing excellent delicacy and vibrancy, gentle herbal notes, lively acidity and a lasting finish. Best drinking mid-2022+….
Comments Off on te Pa The Reserve Collection Seaside Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This classy wine was grown at sites in the Central Wairau Valley and Southern Valleys, and partly fermented with indigenous yeasts in old oak barrels. Full-bodied, it is vibrantly fruity, with concentrated, ripe passionfruit/lime flavours, savoury notes adding complexity, fresh…
Comments Off on Greywacke Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 / 0 View / April 14, 2022
Posted: April 14, 2022
This powerful wine was estate-grown in the Awatere Valley and mostly handled in tanks; 15% of the blend was barrel-fermented. Richly scented, it is mouthfilling, with deep tropical fruit and herbal flavours, showing a distinct touch of complexity, and a…
Comments Off on Clos Marguerite Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2020 / 0 View / April 14, 2022